The San Francisco call., 1898-08-21
THE TRUE STORY OF
 THE KEEL INCIDENT
LIES ANNOY ADMIRAL
 KIRKLAND'S FAMILY.
A Story Set Afoat by Unreliable Journals and Unfortunately Resurrected by Bio
 grapher.

The published biography of the late Ad- miral Kirkland has given credence to story set aheat by yellow journals, whlch, as usual. proves to be entirely untrue. It's revival at this time has increased the sad ness of Mrs. Kirkland, and at her request the following correct story of the hlei 1n- cident is forwarded to The Call by an officer who relates it just as it was told to him by the admiral on the day he drove the first rivct of the battle-shln
 Wisconsin Naval regulations forbid the author to sign the statement Dnl i1 of the authenticity of his story. It IS as Iolio"S'
 When a foreign sovereign visits ship of the Tinted States navy he is received with hohors similar with those ioi all ofceTs
 cansbIe in sDecial fuli dress on the quarter deck the admiral and captain D neeI Inc iin drum
 tba hurle sounds four four!shes, the crew mans the rail, and numerous other cerehodiles nat occ,,r all for the purpose of showing the great est rossibIe honor to the chief executive or friendly nation. Such ceremonies do rot oc, cur without due official notice oi the eApec'eu While Admiral Kirkland was in command of naval rendezvous of 1894, his flagship, the New York commanded by captain Bob Evans naror The first visit was purely official and any rudeness or disrespect on the part oi tile admiral at such time was quite lnlpossipie; pos, f t That 1t did not occur is shown by the a Iact that the second visit was emi-official. the Elm peror then coming to dine at the admiral per sonaI invitation. It is not possible that the lat ter could be rude disrespectful when pre- siding at his own table and entertaining so celebrated guest. That this did not occur, and that the admiral performed his duties as a host in an entertaining and charming man her to the Emperor's entire qualification, is shown by the fact that the dinner party did not break up until after midnight. It was then that the famous incidents occurred of arous- ing the sleeping without warning, to close watertiCht doors and couple the forward engines These drills were executed so prompt t. afR Oia hat EnDprOT his admiration in the highest terms.
 The third visit a conclusive proof of the Emperor's personal good will toward the ad- miraI This time 1t unofficial as his coming was entirely unexpected. small steam launch came alongside the gangway and several officers started to come on board the flagship It only then that the Elm peror in fatigue uniform. was observed to be among them. Naturally the admiral was at once informed, and all necessary orders were quickly issued to receive the distinguished guest with the honors due him. but he quickly requested that all ceremonies be omitted as his visit was merely personal one to the ad- miral and taking the latters arm moved toward the cabin After some conversation there, he took the admiral aside and offered him as souvenir. a magnificent gold snuff box containing his miniature the cover. sur rounded by diamonds. Upon the admiral s saying that his country's laws dld not permit