The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-10-22
An ADMIRAL UNDER A CLOUD.
kirkland Ordered Home From the
European station.

Washington. Oct IA sensation was
caused I'm naval circles to-day by the an
nouncemont that Rear Admiral William
a. Kirkland, commanding the European
naval station of the United States. has
been detached from duty and ordered
home.
Ii is expected that Admiral Kirkland
will apply al once to be placed on the re-
tired list. Commodore Thomas o. Self
ridge, Jr.. Will succeed him as command
ing officer of the European station.
For some time past II has been ru-
mored that Secretary Herbert was not
pleased with the conduct OF Admiral Kirk
land. Dissatisfaction was first caused by
the action of the admiral in sending let
ter 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. representing the dignity OF the
United States navy in European waters,
precluded him from making any comment
whatever with reference to politics. and
ne sent a letter OF riprimand. Admiral
klrkland was not slow 10 respond, and
ne aid so by appealing to the
president TO overrule Secretary Herbert o
structures on his conduct. He claimed In
his own defense that he had known Pres
ident Faure personally, and had merely
NbHHIdluldltu MIN III a personal capacity
and net as an officer Of the United States
navy. II Is not known what action the
President took In the matter, but the de-
tachment OF the admiral indicates that
the secretary was sustained by Mr. Cleve~
land.
Admiral kirkland next came into pub
hc notice through a newspaper interview
IN which he made somewhat insulting
comments on the character OF the Amer
lean missionaries in Syria, whittier he had
been TO give them protection during the
a ATHnaninn ,ln
the notice Of the navy department by a
protest from religious organizations in
shortly following this second cause OF
dissatisfaction came a complaint from a
chaplain In the navy that the admiral
had insulted him before a number OF off,
GERS during the festivities at the opening
OF the kiel canal, where Admiral kirk
land was In command of the United States
iieet. IL was claimed by the chaplain
that while standing with Admiral Kirk
land ana group of other officers on the
quarter deck OF the flagship San Francisco
the admiral turned to him and ordered
him below In brusque, II not insulting
manner, because he was not attired In fun
dress uniform. The chaplain, in his let
ter 10 the navy department, made plain
that chaplains have only one regulation
uniform, which serves for all occasions,
and he. therefore, believed himself very
badly used. II is said that Secretary Her
bert sided with the chaplain In his COM
plant, but Il Is not known whether h.
took official action upon H.
IN addition TO these reports concerning
Admiral Kirkland others reached the
navy department of more personal ma
ture, and after making a pretty thor
ough inquiry into the matter, and con-
sulting President Cleveland, Secretary
Herbert to-day issued the order Of de-
tachment. Admiral Kirkland Will prob
ably receive the news by cable at AL
giers, for which place the San Francisco
sailed to-day from Gibraltar, according
to dispatch received at the navy de-
partment
While the recall Is. OF course, uncompli-
mentary 10 Admiral Kirkland. there ie
no disposition at the department to be-
little his record as a sailor He Is looked
upon as a man Of active and quick per-
ception, and always ready to do his duty.
He was appointed to the navy from
North Carolina In 1880, and attained his
present rank on March / last
Admiral kirkland has not long to serve
on the active list. but II Is believed that
he will apply for retirement without de-
lay. II is said that he had expressed the
intention OF going on the retired list II
relieved Of his present duty.