The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-03-13
DECLINE HONOR.
Naval Officers DO Not want 20 be
SINGLED Out.

Washington, March 1.-two things. In
the opinion Of Secretary Long, so credit
able 70 the naval service, have occurred
recently that they deserve TO be made
nubiic. One is the request OF Admiral
Hiaaiuson. contained In the following
letter: .aoo
.Slr-I respectfully request to BIO allowed
to resume my for mer number on the
naval list after Rear Admiral Kept
While deeply grateful to the President
and yourself for my nomination for
work done of Santiago, l do not regard
my own services as So conspicuous as TO
warrant my advancement while the other
commanding officers nominated at the
same time as myself go unrewarded
They were gallant band OF naval officers
and certainly deser we'd well of their coun-
try and IL their services are to go unrecog-
nized 1 desire to share the same fate.
VERY respectfully,
"Franois j. Higginson,
"Rear Admiral, U. 3. y.
ITO Hon. John d. Long, Secretary Of
the Navy"
Admiral Higginson's name was one OF
the long list sent In by the President for
advancement for gallant service oil San :
tiago. Probably by inndyertence Admiral
higRinson's name was confirmed apart
from the rest, which the Senate adjourned
without confirming. Secretary Long has
addressed the following letter to the I'D
miral:
"Will you let me express my high APP
bro ,iation of your handsome and consid-
crate conduct in asking to resume your
former numve on the navy list, ratner
than to accept the advancement when
places you above other officers VINO, Tor
their gallant services In the recent war,
deserved recognition but failed to receive
it, owing to the failure OF the Senafe TO
act upon the recommendations sent ID
by the President. The spirit which you
evince Is so admirable that l hasten to
write you this letter. -
The other case Is that of Lieut.. Aaron
Ward, who was recommended by the
board of promotions for advancement
On learning OF this he wrote to the de
partment declining advancement as 1t
gave him precedence over his classmate,
Lieut. Staunton, stating that he did not
feel that the actions in which his vessel
was engaged, were of so great value as
to justify him In availing himself of the
opportunity.
at is impossible" said no, for me will
ingly TO accept promotion which might
deprive such an officer of commission
in the high grade.
The recommendation made by the board
of promotions in the case OF Lieut.. ward
was NOT stnI W lnt Ctudp,t an tho ptc'
motions recommend by that body hav-
ing been held back to wait the result OF
those which has been pending since the
opening of the session and which the
Senate adjourned without confirming.
Tho officers of Admiral Dewey's fleet
have preferred claim for double the
amount of head money which it was at
first believed they vera entitled to re-
| ceive. as the result of the victory over the
Spanish forces at Cayite last May. The
| law provides that 500 shall be allowed
| to the victors for each person on the capt
ured or destroyed vessel By that calcu
Iation almost 5000, 900 would be- divided
among Dewey's sailors. But 1t Is alse
provided that where the conquered torcS
was superior to the attacking force, then
the allowance shall be $500 head. While
Dewey's claim Is not based on any SUI
periority of the Spanish fleet, 1t Is assert
ed that that fleet, fighting In conjunction
with the shore batteries at Cavite, dit
constitute a superior force in the mean
| ing of the law. The point is new ont
and is under consideration before tn
judge advocate general of the navy.