Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1895-10-24
TO Be ORDERED HOME
Admiral Kirkland Is De-
taehed from Duty.
Causes a Sensation in Naval Cir
cles - Dissatisfaction with Him
Arising from a Number of Causes.
Will Probably Seek Retirement.

Arising from a Number of Causes.
Will Probably Seek Retirement.
Washington, Oct. ga sensation in
naval circles was caused last night by
the announcement that Rear Admiral
Kirkland, commanding the European
naval station of the United States, had
been detached from duty and ordered
home. 1t is expected that Admiral
Kirkland will apply at once to be placed
on the retired list. Commodore Thomas
o. Selfridge, jr., will succeed him as
commanding officer of the European
station. For some time past it has been
rumored that Secretary Herbert was not
pleased with the conduct of Admiral
kirkland. Dissatisfaction was first
caused by the action of the admiral III
sending letter of congratulation on
his election to President Faure of
France. Secretary Herbert construed
this as entirely wrong, holding that the
official position of the admiral, repre-
senting the dignity of the United States
navy in European waters, precluded him
from making any comment whatever
with reference to French politics and
sent letter of reprimand. Admiral
Kirkland was not slow to respond and
he did so by appealing to the president
to overrule Secretary Herbert's structures
on his conduct. He claimed in his own
defense that he had known President
Faure personally and he had merely con
graduated him in personal capacity
and not as an officer of the United States
navy. 1t is not known what action the
president took in the matter but the de-
tachment of the admiral indicates that
lA far ttrou taiY cd h,r Mr
Cleveland.
Other Causes of Complaint.
Admiral Kirkland next came into pub
lie notice through a newspaper inter
view in which ne made somewhat in
sulting comments on the character of
American missionaries in Syria, whittier
he had been to give them protection dur
ing the Armenian troubles, This was
brought to the notice of the navy depart
ment by protest from religious organi-
cations in Boston. Shortly following
this second cause of dissatisfaction came
a complaint from IL chaplain in the navy
that the admiral had insulted him be
fore number of officers during the fes-
tivities at the opening of the kiel canal,
where Admiral Kirkland was in COM
mand of the United States fleet. 1t was
standing with Admiral Kirkland and
groupe of other officers on the quarter
deck of the flagship San Francisco the
admiral turned to him and ordered him
below in brusque if not insulting man
ner, because he was not attired in full
dress uniform. The chaplain in his let
ter to the navy department made plain
that the chaplains had only one regula-
tion uniform, which serves for all occa-
sions, and therefor believed himself
very badly used. 1t is said that Secre-
tary Herbert sided with the chaplain in
his complaint, but it is not known
whether he took official action upon it.
The Recall Uncomplimentary.
IN addition to these reports of Admiral
Kirkland others reached the navy de-
partment of a more personal nature, and
after making pretty thorough inquiry
into the matter and consulting President
Cleveland, Secretary Herbert issued the
order of detachment. Admiral Kirk
land will probably receive the news by
cable at Algiers for which place the San
Francisco sailed yesterday from Gibral-
tar, according to a dispatch received at
the navy department. While the recall is
of course, uncomplimentary to Admiral
Kirkland, there is no disposition at the
department to belittle his record as a
sailor. He is looked upon as man of
action and of quick perception and al
ways ready to do his duty. He was APP
pointed to the navy from North Carolina
in 1850, and attained his present rank
March l last. Admiral kirkland has not
long to serve on the active list, but it is
believed that he will apply for retire
ment without delay. 1t is said that he