Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-10-22
A NAVAL SENSATION.
Rear.Admiral Kirkland Detached from
Duty and Ofdere1 Home.
Complaints OF His Conduct from Va
riOus SOurces--liis CongratulattOn
EiecttOn-ilis Record.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., october 2l-
A sensation in naval circles was caused
to-day by the announcement that Rear
Admiral William A. Kirkland command
ing the European naval station OF the
United States. had been detached from
duty and ordered home. It Is expected
that Admiral Kirkland will apply at once
to be placed OF the retired list Commo-
dore Thomas O. Selfridge. Jr. will sue
ceed 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 tho Admiral In sending a letter
of congratulaton on his election TO Presi-
dent Faure, OF France Secretary Her.
bert construed this as entirely wrong.
holding that the official position of tho
Admiral, repr esenting the dignity Of the
United States navy In European waters
precluded him from making any comment
whatever with reference to politics. and
sent a letter OF reprmand
Admiral Kirkland WAS not slow To re-
spond, and he did so by appealing TO the
President to override Secretary Ucrberts
structures on his conduct. He, claimed I'm
his own defence that he had known Pres
ident Faure personally and had merely
congratulated him I'm a 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 this
detachment OF the Admiral indicates that
| the Secretary was sustained by Mr..
| Cleveland
Admiral Kirkland next came into public
notice through a newspaper interview fu
which he made somewhat insulting c..n-
| ments on the character OF American mis-
s!onaries in Syria, whittier he had been
TO give them protection during the Arme-
! man troubles. This was brought TO the
| notice Of the Navy Department by pro-
test from religious organizations In Bos-
ton, Mass.
FROM A CHAPLAIN.
Shortly following this second cause or
| dissatisfaction came a complaint from n
chaplain in the navy that the admiral
! had insulted him before a number OF OIL
/ GERS during the festivities at the opening
! OF the Kiel canal, where Admiral XIX
} land was in command of the United States
/ tiee, 1t Is claimed by the chaplain that,
while standing with Admiral Kirkland and
! group OF other officers Oh the quarter
J deck Of the flagship San Francisco. tho
I AbIiIll turned TO nin ana DfuerCd nm
| below In a brusque. II not insulting. man.
! ner, because he was not Attired in full
/ dress uniform. The chaplain, in his letter
! to the Navy Department. made IL plain
! that chaplans have only one regulation
| uniform, which serves for all occasions.
! and he, therefore, believed himself very
/ badly used. 1t Is said that Secretary Her
| bert sided with the chaplain in his COM
! plant. but il iS not known whether he
/ took official action upon II.
! In addition to these reports concerning
/ Admiral Kirkland. others reached the
Navy Department OF 4 more personal ma.
turc, lnl. after making pretty thorough
! inquiry into the matter and consulting
! President Cleveland. Secretary Herbert
to-day issued tie order OF detachment.
Admiral kirkland viii probably receive
the news by cable al Algiers, for which
place the san Francisco sailed to-day
from Gibraltar. ao ocording to a dispatch
received at the Navy Department.
! While the recall is, OF course, uncom-
| plimentary to Admiral kirkland. there is
no disposition at the department 10 belittte
his record as a sailor. lie Is looked on as
a man of active ana quick perception,
| and always ready TO do his duty.
| He was appointed to the navy from
! North Carolina in 1850. and attained his
| present rank March LIST, last
Admiral Kirkland has not long TO serve
| on the active list, but it is believed that
| he will apply for retirement without de-
| lay. IL is said that he has expressed an
( Intention Of going on the retired list, *
/ relieved OF his present duty.