The evening times., 1899-07-28

The Baltimore Sun" today prints the
following: 1T is not often an officer of
either the army or navy has such high
rank that dificulty is experienced in find-
ing duty for him, but such an embarrass-
ment is now presented in the case of Ad-
miral Dewey, who, by the act of Congress
eleyating him two grades above any mill
tary man in the country, holds position
OF such eminence that the Navy Depart
ment will have to create place to which
he can be assigned There is no position
either on shore or afloat commensurate
with Dewey's rank. To provide him with
duty as long as he is able to perform it
will probably result in the creation of a
board in Washington over which the Ad-
miral will be appointed TO preside.
There are few admirals in any navy, and
but one afioat now besides Dewey. 1t has
not been the policy of Great Britain, which
has six officers of this grade, TO keep any
of them at sea, except occasionally in
command of the Mediterranean station,
where many powerful war vessels are
usually stationed. No other government
supports the rank, although Russian and
German Princes are carried on the regis
ter with admiral's rank. Probably not one
of them, however, could box the compass
or knows starboard from port.
In conferring the additional rank on
Dewey Congress provided that he should
continue on the active list at full pay as
long as he lived. This means that Ad-
miral Dewey may yet again command a
fleet at sea if his health continues good
and he wishes TO once more hoist his flag.
Under the law applying TO the navy the
Admiral would have retired on Christmas
Day next. when he reaches the age of six
ty-two, but instead he viii remain on ac-
tive duty, subject to the orders OF the de-
partment and amenable to its instructions
and directions. Secretary Long has not Yet
given any thought TO the duties Admiral
Dewey will perform after his return home,
and does not intend considering the ques-
tiOn until the Admiral has been consulted.
There is no doubt he can have almost any
station or service that he wishes, but it
is believed he will ask and receive two
or three months leave in which to reeu-
perate and accept some of the invitations
that Will meet him on arrival.
Several years ago the ranks of admiral
and vice admiral were recognized by the
navy, Admiral Porter being the senior Of
ficer and Vice Admiral Rowan the next in
point of rank. Neither performed much
service and, in fact, had sinecures, with
aides, private secretaries, and clerks. Ad-
miral Porter devoted his time TO writing
novels and in preparing one report year,
while Vice Admiral Rowan confined him.
self to sitting occasionally as a member OF
O board. Those were the days, however.
when little or no progress was being made
toward modern naval development, and the
old wooden ships were fast disappearing
and the service being reduced TO few
hulks of the Tallapoosa and Dispatch type.
The building OF the new navy began piac-
tically after the death Of bo b these officers,
so that there was no opportunity for them
to make their influence felt.
With Admiral Dewey the situation is
reversed. Fresh from an important sta
tion, where he commanded modern war
vessels and fought them, he has gained
knowledge which will, no doubt, be of in
estimable value TO the authorities in deal
ing with naval problems in the future. 1t
il generally understood among Deweys
friends here that his preference for duty
will be Washington above all other places.
This is the only city where duty could Be
provided him such as his rank calls for.
To be in command OF a navy yard or In
charge of a bureau would be so far re-
moved in point Of rank from the place that
an admiral should fill that reports assign
ing him to such places have no foundation.
1T is probable as stated, that some
board corresponding TO the admiralty Will
be organized with power TO decide finally
questions that the bureau chiefs may be
unable 10 agree upon and TO settle complex
questions of naval development. This
board would comprise several officers of
the highest rank, and its duties would be
very light.
The question has been frequently made
that the organization of such board would
prevent the petty quarrels which often oc-
cur at sessions of the bureau chiefs. After
six months of serious consideration of
general order covering the duties of each
bureau, a new order has been issued con-
tanning practically no changes of impor-
tance, but representing days of acrimonious
discussion by five rear-admirals of the ma
Wy. Had this subject been before board
the members of which were not individual
ly concerned, there is no doubt the whole
matter could have been disposed of in two
hours.
Admiral Dewey's influence on the de-
velopment of the navy will be felt il is
believed, not only in Congress, but out.
His recommendations will be received
most favorably, and his opinions WILL no
doubt be often asked regarding naval poll
cies. His position as head of a board
would enable him to serve as an adviser
to the department and at the same time
arbitrate the differences which constantly
arise over technical matters"