Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-11
ADMIRAL M E ABE
No Official Action Yet Taken as to
His Utterances.
QUESTION AS TO FORM OF DISCIPLINE
He May Be Reprimanded or Court
MartiaIed.
WILL BE ASKED TO EXPLAIN

Whatever the President and Secretary
Herbert have concluded to do in the case
Of Rear Admiral Meade did not reach a
stage of official development today. The
President spent the day in the country,
and Secretary Herbert left his Office about
noon today to go down the river, without
having issued any orders on the subject,
SO far as known. Admiral Meade is in the
city today, but he made no effort to see
the Secretary of the Navy before his de-
parture. 1t Is generally believed in naval
circles that official cognizance will be taken
of his severe criticisms of the admnistra-
tion, as published in the New York Tribune.
His conduct is regarded as a grave breach
of official etiquette, If nothing more, and
is not likely to be wholly ignored. Accord
ing to the published interview. he explain
ed his desire for early retirement by say
ing:
II am an American and Union man.
These are two things that this admins
and a man who lives on the ocean is apt
to imbibe patriotism and loyalty. 1 find
these articles at a discount with the pres
ent regime"
direct reflection upon Secretary Herbert,
who is a southern man and an ex-confeder-
ate. and was due to the supposition that
the Secretary was responsible for the disin-
Indies long before the conclusion of the pre-
arranged program of evolutions.
Some Kind of Discipline
The records of the service do not show
case where an officer has made such a Sc
we're arrangement of the policy of the ad-
ministration. and If Admiral Meade is not
disciplined in some way for his language
many officers of the navy will be consid-
erably surprised. What particular form of
action will be taken Is matter of some
dispute. Some officers incline to the belief
that he will merely be reprima nded by Sec
retary Herbert in an official letter, while
others are of opinion that he will be court
martialed.
In the latter event. he would undoubtedly
be charged with violation of naval reg
ulation, which provides as follows: "Ofi-
GERS of the navy are forbidden to publish
or cause to be published directly or indi-
rectly, or to communicate by interview,
private letter, or otherwise, except as re-
quired by their official duties, any informa-
tion in regard to the foreign policy of the
United States, or concerning the acts or
measures Of any department of the govern
ment, or Of any officer acting hereunder,
or any comments or criticisms thereon or
to furnish copies of the same to any per-
sen without permission of the depart
ment."
This article was formulated by Secretary
Tracy a few months before the close of the
Harrison administration, and was intended
to prevent, naval officers making too free
a use of their tongues in the public prints.
Since its publication there have been few
instances where officers have criticised the
department or the administration publicly.
Retired officers are subject to punishment
for an infringement of the regulations just
the same as their brothers on the active
list. so that Admiral Meade's retirement
will not interfere with the proposed action
of the department in his case.
VIII Be Asked to Explain.
1t is not likely, however, that anything
will be done until Admiral Meade has had
an opportunity for explaining his language.
Unless the matter is ignored altogether
that will be the first step taken. Officers
who have had dealings with the admiral
say that If he was correctly reported he
will say SO. and not undertake to hedge in
any way. In that event further proceed
ings are almost inevitable. On the other
hand. 1t is asserted that the admiral Is in
i'll health, and ought not to be held to a,
strict accountability for his utteranees
Under stress of excitement arising. from
imaginary wrongs. ..-.,.r;sL-