The sun., 1895-05-18
UNABLE TO GET AT MEADE.
EE CAN NEITHER BE COURT MAR
TAILED NOR REBUKED.

UnIess the Admiral Confirms the Iutcrvicw
Attributed to Him Ho Cannot Bo Ad-
Judged Guilty OF Violating Navy ReEuin-
tIons-The Cnso Discussed in the Cabi-
net, ana It wns Decided that the Ad-
n,irni he Placed on the Retired List.
WASHINGTON. May 17.-Secretary Herbert
to-day laid before the Cabinet the result of his
attempts to devise method by which Admiral
Meade might DO summoned before a court mar
tial. He said that he had reached the coaclu-
sion that under tho laws of the navy it would
be utterly impossible to take this means of
effecting a punishment, and that rebuke
would be out of the question: for the reason that
the department cannot reprimand an officer ex-
cept for Just cause, and as the Admiral refuses
to confirm his interview he cannot be adjudgcd
guilty of any infractions of the regulations or
laws for the navy. Tho Secretary is under
stood to have clearly demonstrated that II the
Admiral cannot be court martialled for his in
tervew he cannot be rcbukcd. The discussion
of the question by the Cabinet resulted in an
agreement that there must be something radi-
caly wrong with the naval laws il an officer
could not be subjected to rebuke or court mar
tial for on offence which is generally regarded
as demanding dismissal from the service.
Secretary lIcrbert's explanation that the Ad
miral could not possibly be made to appear be-
fore court martial and give testimony regard
ing the interview led to questions from other
members of the Cabinet relative to what steps
could be taken by which the refractory Ad-
miral's course could receive the condemnation
of the Administration. Secretary Herbert how
ever. was able to suggest but way which
should be pursued. and this was decided as
the only thing left open. and in order to pre-
vent the Admiral from learning the Administra-
tion's plan and thus defeating its object. has
been exercised that it does not leak out This
scheme. however. involves tedious wait. In
the mean time the Admiral will continue at his
Department in Its attempts to secure court
martial.
court martial plan had been about abandoned,
owing to the inability of the Secretary and law
which the Admiral had violated and which was
punishable, whether he declined to incriinnate
was I decided dc m that t the Admrai be placed on tho
retired list on Monday. as he requested. Secre-
tary Herbert said to-day that there had been no
abandonment OF his attempt to bring about q
bic. tIs and, falling in lhis, there Was another
with Meade: This. however. will not take the
form of a rebuke for the interview. but it will
the 4dmra m 'S The secretary @ s'e is eonden that
full and adequate censure will be given Meade,
and that he cannot escape without serious con
sequences for his remarks. The Secretary has
admitted that there is ample proof of the 4Ad-
mrars guilt. but It cannot be secured in such u
way as to submit it to n court martial
The President. 1t is said this evening" Is not so
heartily in favor of pushing the matter as Sec
retary Herbert, believing that the Administra-
tion would be placed in ridiculous light by
some OF the testimony which the Admiral
would undOu btedy give. while Mr.. Herbert in
sists that it would be subversive of all naval
discipline to permit the interview to go unro-
ticed. Other members of the Cabinet hold the
opinion of Mr.. Herbert.
Until the Meade matter is finally settled 1t Is
not probabl that an Admiral will be selected to
command the North Atlantic fleet. Admiral
Ramsay says to-day that he has applied for the
stace. IN his view. is the possibility OF the Sec
retary declining TO part with his services. Capt.
Bob Evans's ambition to succeed Ramsay will
not be furthered by Mr.. Herbert. who is not in
sympathy with the move to make Evans Chief
of the Navigation bureau, where he would prac-
tcaly be in command of the navy. as far as tho
detail Of officers and movements OF ships are
concerned.