The San Francisco call., 1898-03-22

NEW YORK, March 21.-A Wash ington special to the Herald says; Preliminary steps were taken to-day by Secretary Long to detach Rear Ad- miral Montgomery Sicard from the North Atlantic Station and to assign another flag officer to duty as his sue cessor. Much as the administration re- gretted the necessity of changing horses. when crossing a stream, the conclusion was forced upon President Mckinley and Secretary Long, after an earnest consultation this morning, that it was to the interests of this GoNefl- ment to have an officer in command oI the naval forces on the Atlantic coast strong in mind and sound in llmp' aple to grasp and to meet any situation lllal might arise.
 Rear Admiral Sicard has been suffer ing for some weeks past from q severe malarial attack. and although III weak condition he has courageously stood at his post of duty, notwithstanding the kindIv suggestion of Secretary Long that he take a short leave of absence for at least two weeks. Recent reports received from RearAdmiral Slcard nm seif and from officers on duty Tn the South have convinced the Secretary that no improvement in Rear Admiral SicardS condition has taken place, ana in view of the eXhausting work when the admiral has 10 perform the Secre- tary believed that 1t was due to him as well as to the Government that he should be relieved and given chance to recuperaLe.
 When Secretary Long brought the matter to the attention Of the President that official agreed with him that 1t slr1anf fk1sl1N a officer to duty in Rear Admiral Slcard s place. But instead of directing Rear Admiral Sicard immediate detach- ment. as he had authority to do, Sec retary Long determined to place no stain on this officers record as would have been done had he been Summarlly relieved, but to permit him to have eV- cry chance to retain his present com mand in case it should be shown that he is well enough to continue on duty.
 Accordingly, the Secretary, in ac- cordance with the determination reached by himself and the President gsE,s orders having as their object the holding of a board of medical survey tomorrow on the rear admiral. These orders were telegraphed to Rear Ad- miral Sicard and he was directed to ap- pear before a medical board composed of the following named officers: Medl- cal Inspector Michael c. Brennan, fleet surgeon or the NOGjn AIldnllC SldllOI, and Surgeon Manly SimOns, on duty on board the battle-ship Iowa. It is proposed by the department officials to follow the usual naval procedure in the case Of Rear Admiral Sicard. It is hoped by the officials that Rear Ad- miral Sicard's trouble may be of such character as to cause the surgeons to simply recommend his detachment up on sick leave. Both the President and Secretary Long have very kindly feel ing for Rear Admiral Sicard, and there is nc intention on the part of either to attempt to crowd him from the ac- tive to the retired list. Should the board recommend that he be retired it will be necessary for the Secretary to convene the Retiring Board, which will at once consider Rear Admiral Sicard s condition and take what action seems to them to be required. Should the board of medical survey regard the ex- animation for retirement of Rear Ad- miral Sicard and the Retiring Board recommend his retirement, the vacancy thus created in the grade of flag rank will be filled by the appointment of Captain W. T. Sampson, commanding the battle-ship Iowa. Both President Mckinley and Secretary Long con sider Captain Sampson as the best possible timber for the position of com- mander-in-ch chief, not alone on account of his excellent record, but because they know his courage, his energy and in- don1itable will.