Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-22
ADMIRAL KIRKLAND RELIEVED
Another Point Scored by the Secretary of
the Navy in the Controversy.
Commodore Selfridgc Ordered to the
Command of the European Squad
ron at Once.

Secretary Herbert has scored another
point in his controversy with Admiral
Kirkland, commanding the European sta
ton, but the friends Of the latter say that
his time will come later on. Admiral Kirk
land has just completed a two-years' tour
of duty at sea, first In command Of the
South Atlantic station, and later in COM
mand of the European station. He was
transferred to this latter command a
special compliment on the retirement of
Admiral Erben, in September, 1894. Since
then he has been in frequent collision with
the Navy Department.
His COngratulatiOn to President Fnure
His first alleged offense was in writing a
personal note of congratulation to NJ. Faure
upon his election as president of the French
republic. For this he was reprimanded by
Secretary Herbert, who took the ground
that he had improperly interfered in a
political matter. The admiral persisted
that he had done no wrong. and made an
appeal to the President. AS was to have
been expected, the President sus tanned his
civilian assistant
Alleged Remark About Missionaries.
Next the admiral got into trouble because
of his alleged remark that the missionaries
in Armenia were "a bad lot" Although he
again reprimanded. Another mistake. said
to have been made by the admiral. was in
rebuking the ships chaplain for not ap-
pearing in full dress uniform at certain
function, when, as fact, the chaplain
wore the only uniform prescribed by the
regulations for the clergy. The department
sustained the chaplain In this case.
Wanted to be Relieved.
Admiral kirkland became restive under
this series of rebukes and plainly indicated
his desire to be relieved of his command at
the earliest convenience. His wishes have
now been complied with in this respect as
with the concurrence of the President, Sec
Ietary Herbert late yesterday afternoon
issued an order detaching him from COM
mand of the European station on the re-
porting of his relief and assigning Com
modore J. r. Selfridge to that duty. The
latter was ordered to proceed to his station
by the steamer sailing from New York on
the I'd proximo. Admiral kirkland is now
on his way from Gibraltar to Algiers on
the flagship San Francisco. The transfer
of command of the station will be made in
the harbor of Algiers as soon as Commo-
dore Selfridge arrives there. 1t is expected
that Admiral kirkland will start at once
for the United States.
Will Remain on Waiting Orders.
He will remain on waiting orders during
the remainder of the present administration.
He will not retire for age until June. 1S9S,
and he will become the ranking officer of
the navy in June, 1897, on the retirement of
Admiral Brown, the present senior officer.
Admirals Walker and Ramsay are senior to
Kirkland, and both will retire early in 1897
For these reasons, including probable
change in administration in March, 1897. 1t
is not regarded as likely that Admiral Kirk
land will ask to be retired Immediately, as
mas been published.
Of acting rear admiral while commanding
the station, and he will become an actual
rear admiral on the retirement of Admiral
Carpenter, in command of the Asiatic sta
tion, next February.