The evening times., 1898-07-12
ERBEN's SUCCESSOR.
Capt. B<Iett TO Succeed the Re-
tired Head OF the Coast Patrol.

Capt. B<Iett to Succeed the Re-
tired Head Of the Coast Patrol.
New York, July r.-The Tribune of this
morning says that Rear, Admiral Erben.
who has been In charge Of the coast pa
troll ever since 1t was organized. and who
has been retired from active duty. will be
succeeded by Captain John Bartlett. who
will have charge Of the work, with head
quarters at Washington, instead Of in this
city, -. s,.,.-..,,
Numerous stories were afioat yesterday
as to the cause of this change. one Of them
being that Admiral Erben had been or
dered to adjourn the board In charge OF
coast defense and reconvene It at Wash
ington, and that he had delayed in doing
this, with the result that his successor
was appointed.
Rear Admiral Erben was one of the few
officers on the retired list who were called
back to active duty when war was declar-
ed. His salary on the retired list is y. 800
year, and while he was on active duty
he received $500. In answer to various
Inquiries, Admiral Erben said yesterday
afternoon:
..It is true, that have been relieved
from active duty by the Navy Depart
ment. The reason for my being SO re-
lieved Is that the work assigned to the
coast defense board has been accomplish
ed. The vessels on both the outer and
inner coast defense lines have been or
dered to Cuba; with a very few excep-
tions. OF the mosquito feet there are
now on duty as coast patrol boats only
thirteen vessels, from the northernmost
coast of Maine to the southernmost point
Of Texas. The remaining vessels Of this
fleet have been ordered to duty In West
Indian waters.
1.-THE statement that / was relieved be-
cause failed TO obey orders from the Ma
Wy Department TO transfer the boards
headquarters to Washington, Is without
foundation 10 the best of my knowledge
and belief. The order to make the trans
fer was received on the 9Th instant. ana
directed that the change be made as soon
as practicable. There was no hurry about
the matter4and II was no easy thing to
close the headquarters here Immediately.
In addition to all the papers relating 10
the coast defense system. there were All
the archives of the Rodgers board to be
also removed! sSssH
We were, however. ready to go to-
morrow. when the new order arrived. di-
rectins,. The board TO, proceed to wash-
ington at once. So far as i understand.
II will be practically dissolved some OF
the members of the board being assigned
TO other duties and Eieuts. Marshall and
Kent. looking after the personnel OIL the
naval reserves
"Personally, the relief is agreeable to
me. The work Of organizing the coast
defense system has been carried to SUCH
completion that II can very well De di-
rected now from Washington. had
purchased passage for Europe when war
broke out, and now that the naval war.
in my opinion. is ended am glad TO ne
set free to carry out my plan OF a EURO
pean trip, which / think Will pegin IN
September. zar ,,,
Lieut.. Commander Jacob w. Miller
will, have charge. Of the coast defense In
this district There will be little for him
10 do. however. beyond guarding the
mine fields. to which work only three
vessels are at present assigned.