Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-14
A Determination to Punish Him for
His Attack.
BE Will NOT COMMIT HIMSELF
Delay in Naming the North At
Iantic Squadron's Commander.
WHAT CAPT. EVANS WANTS

1t is stated that The vacancy in the com.
mand of the North Atlantic squadron re.
sulting from the detachment of Admiral
Meade will not be filled until the curisers
New York and Columbia return from their
trip to Kiel The delay is said to be in
the interest of Capt. Robley D. Evans.
He is now in command of the New York,
ana is SAID to desire to make the cruise to
kiel. 1t is on the cards that he shall be
made chief of the bureau of navigation
whenever a vacancy occurs in that office.
Admiral Ramsay, the incumbent desires
command of the North Atlantic squadron,
and would probably get it at once but for
the fact that Capt. Evans would have to
forego his trip to Kiel or see some other
officer become chief of the navigation bu-
reau, billet that he has sought for some
time
Excluding the New York and Columbia,
the North Atlantic squadron consists Of
the Minneapolis, Cincinnati, Raleigh, At
lanta and Montgomery. These are all mod
ern steel ships and form credtabie fleet.
Besides, the detachment of the New York
and Columbia is believed to be only tenn
porary.
Admiral Meadc's Case.
The delay in filling this assignment has
no significance, SO far as Admiral Meade
is concerned. He has been formally de-
tached and has applied to be retired Oh
the Goth instant. His application has not
yet been acted upon, and is not likely 10
be until other matters with which he is
connected have been cleared up. The date
Of his retirement, however, has no possible
bearing on the vacancy in the squadron
command as he is beyond consideration in
that matter altogether.
The President is said to be determined to
punish Admiral Meade for his alleged at
he ar G. nd tar
order his trial by court-martial because of
the difficulties that might be found in prov
ing that Admiral Meade made use of the
remarks attributed to him. Admiral Meade
and the reporter of the New York Tribune
who interviewed him are the only persons
who could testify as to the accuracy of the
published interview. The admiral could
not be expected to furnish evidence for his
own conviction and the civilian cannot be
compelled to testify before a naval court
He might be willing to testify but then
again he might not. In case the admiral
pleaded not guilty to the charges and the
reporter refused to testify, the case against
the naval officer would fall of its own
weight
Non-CommfttaI So Far.
So far as known, Admiral Meade has
neither admitted nor disclaimed the inter-
view and the correspondence that has
taken place between the Navy Department
and himself on the subject has been care
fully suppressed. Secretary Herbert wrote
to Admiral Meade Saturday inquiring as
to the authenticity of the published state
mentS criticiSing the administration. Ad-
mral Meade replied in writing yesterday,
and his letter is said to be far from satis-
factory in omitting information on all vital
points. 1t was perfectly non-committal.
Admiral Meade is said to have taken the
ground that he cannot be expected to in
criininate himself. This is accepted as a
tacit acknowledgment of the substantial
accuracy of the publication.
Opinions of Naval officials.
Naval officials generally have no doubt
that Admiral Meade made the statements
credited to him. inasmuch as if he had been
Incorrectly quoted in a matter CT so much
Importance he would have hastened to Put
the matter straight at the department. He
has been in Washington several days, and
has made no effort, so far as known, to see
the President or the Secretary ,f the Navy
in his own defense. He is a material wit
Inspector Kershner, now in progress in
New York. and will be due there tomorrow
or next day.
Considered by the Cabinet.
The case of Admiral Meade was consid-
cred at today's cabinet meeting, and 1t is
understood that 1t was decided to order a
court-martial for his trial on charges of in
subordinatior. He fatty refused to tell
Secretary Herbert whether or not he was
correctly quoted in the celebrated inter-
view.