New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-10

ruv ~Avv DEPARTMENT SAID 70 HAVE ASKED
HIM FOR ~ EXPLANATION

Washington Nav = (Soe-iaD The Astonishing
criticism ~ Resr-AGriiral Bclknap retired. on the
naval administrator IN speech before the Aassa
c1usot,s club a. Boston Saturday light ~as the
s.bie-t OF considerable discussion A. q" navy Dc
.arfment today. and tt Is pretty We'll understood
that the peparir,ent has called on 'he Rear-Ad-
r.irat 10 ascertain whether us remarks were cor
-er'fy reported ~ nre in1irarr 70 further ori"ia
action which may take IN. form ~ IN official rep
rimana or considering the nggravltion. perhaps
.-,af nv oorrf-martial T-0tN 'he Officer mas an
oppor,unlty 70 he heard from. the Department de-
.,,n.s ~ anticipate rs own action Tho War Board
or az Admiral Relknap T. sad 70 have termed lf.
"the Naval Strategy Board" Is an important part
n, the Administration ani ~ * considered very
serious AFFAIR ,or officer 10 critc.se the Admin
is'ration. even IN tirl"s ., peace In tne course
~ actual such an ofenc" Il looked upon ~
heinous in the cxirena especially retired officers
are IRA ,ticay In active service at the present time
II il also thought tnat Admiral Reknap's refer
cncc@ 20 tho German Emperor were exceedingly un-
fortunate at this critical period. The paragraph
of the Naval Regulations which Admiral Belkrap
IN. probably Violated Is No. lG''. which prescrhes
All votes resolutions publications. In praise or
cersure OF any person In the naval s"rvce are f'r
pi1den.
II f.. held tina, this regulation IS fully applicable
in this instance. the public occasion on which the
,,rado was delivered constituting A publication
within the intent Of the regulations.
Following arc the remarks mad" hy Rear Admiral
Relkn,p in criticism OF the Naval Strategy Board
Fl, hia speech ~ the dinner 81 the Massachuse
cub in Boston last Saturday
There IT, q. you know. 4 Naval Strategy Board
4, Washington to direct naval movements at this
t.rc,,ro some ~ rs FIRST members never had II
minutes experienre IN Heaven save the mark
Ii,w could they pan movements for the guidance
a. ola oTccrs anon who are supposed 70 know their
hls,ness ~ harding and ngarlns ships and fleets
Without outside advice Bat !; Is sad that Captain
NaE,n has bean ordered homo 10 take seat at
ita strategy Board. Fancy Dewey, brave able and
dashng splendid seaman and brilliant com
rnandor who ~ the reports o. this forenoon are
;rIe has won one ~ the most unique complete
vice on professional iinee from n mere writer OF
Rocks like Aahan' II is utterly absurd. Mahan
/. an accomplished aud forceful writer. but there
"a no Farragit o. Dewey sea genius In his makeup
You will remember that during our civil War
the Strategy Board Of the War Department, con-
sie,,nc ~ Secretary Stanton and General Halctt.
aftemoted 10 handle the armies in the field from
their snug Offices I'm Washington, hI, after three
Gears az laundering and the several disastrous de-
yeots that betell the Army OF the Potomac, X
davneI t,non them and the country thar they had
letter lot the generals At the front make their own
nisns and mt them into execution. Happily FOR the
rhicf command In tho field capable man was
FOUND IN the person of Grant. Military critics said
10 ho sure that ne not n stratcgist, nor did
no nos. a. such: but Lees army. not Richmond
was his objective and he managed TO get both.
<n,y I'm my Judgment. tho naval strategy OF this
war ls the hunting down and destruction OF the
snarish feet Tha; accomplished. the war should
soon 10 an end