Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-15
CASE OF ADMIRAL MEADE.
Statement from Navy Department
with Respect to Ia.

WASHINGTON. May lin regard to
the case Of Admiral Meade. officials at
The Navy Department this evening gave
out the following statement:
The Navy Department addressed a let
ter TO Admiral Meade stating that II de-
sired TO know IL he was willing to answe.
whether he had given, or had authorized,
what purported TO be an interview with
him published in the New York Tribune.
and Admiral Meade replied acknowledS
Ing receipt OF the letter. but declining n
argue the question.
The facts in relation to the failure OF the
department to grant Admiral Meade's re-
quest TO have the Cincinnati ordered 20
the New York yard instead OF the Norfolk
yard are that this vessel was ordered By
the department to go 10 the Norfolk
nayy-yard for some necessary repairs.
This was done upon the recommendation
Of the Chief Constructor who desired
that work, which Is now scarce at both
yards. might be equalized between the
Norfolk and the Brooklyn yards. Admiral
Meade, who had selected the Cincinnati
for his flagship during the absence OF the
New York. was thereupon ordered 10
hoist his flag upon that vessel upon her ar
rival at Norfolk, in the interim hosting
his flag on the Minneapolis. He after
wards forwarded a second request 10 the
department to have the Cincinnati order
cd 10 New York instead OF Norfolk. ON
the day the latter request vas received
Secretary Herbert was not In the depart
ment at any time. His secretary was In
charge, and did not act upon the request.
as he did not think Il proper TO take any
action in the matter until the Secretary's
return. on the next morning. when Sec
rotary Herbert came to the Office, tbs
matter having been brought To his at
tentlon. he az once summoned before him
the Chief Constructor and, after confer
ring with him and misunderstanding
McAdoo, jointly decided to order the
Cincinnati to New York. and at once or
dered Admiral Ramsay, who was present,
to make out orders to Intercept the ship a.
Hampton Roads and order her to New
York He also directed orders to be mad,
out to Admiral Meade notifying him Of
this change. and orders both 10 the Ad-
miral and 10 the ship were written anc
ready TO be signed when a letter came II,
the noon mail from Admiral Meade ask
ing 10 be detached from the squadron.
which request the Secretary granted.
Secretary Herbert said he had nothing
20 add in explanation OF the above. as
il Included all the Information the de-
partment had to impart. The sole object
II the statement. IL Is understood. Is 20
show that Admiral Meade has acted I'M
petuously In his dealings with the de-
partment; first. as stated. in asking To
be detached because his request for ths
Cincinnati 10 come TO New York was
not as promptly granted as he wished.
and by implication, IN the interview
which caused so much surprise.
The President decided TO hold the Ad-
miral TO account for his utterances. and
on Saturday last letter was sent to
the Admiral at his club here, asking II
he had authorized the interview. Tho
Admirals reply 10 this letter was re-
ceived yesterday. and as he therein de-
clined TO incriminate himself the de-
partmeHt was met by the embarrassing
situation that 1t would be unable to prove
anything against the Admiral IL
resort were had to court-martial proceed
ings.
To-day when Secretary Herbert went
to the Cabinet meeting he was closely
followed by a messenger, bearing big
volume Of the naval regulations, correct
ed to date and other law-books relating
to courts-martial. The entire matter. IL
was stated, was thoroughly considered
at the Cabinet meeting, and Secretary
Herbert. who had hitherto refused 10 say
anything about the case. announced that
q statement Of the affair would be given
out this afternoon. From 5 to o'clock
he was cIoseted with Admiral Ramsay.
Judge Advocate General Lsmley. and As
sistant-Secretary NcAdoo. Far . por-
ton OF the time Ensign Niblack. who was
Meade's lieutenant whils the Admiral
commanded the squadroo. was also pres
ent. AZ a result Of this conference
the authorized statement ~ above WAS
nnaliy made.