Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-19
NOT A HU INITIATION
Misrepresentation Of the Command Given
Sohley.
Opportunity Afforded to Win Distinc-
Running Mate for Bryan.

Friends of the administration contend
!! that great injustice is done both the
President and Admiral Schley through
misrepresentation of the relations that eX-
Isl between them. 1t is insisted that there
exist very close personal relations between
them. and that Admiral Schley very fully
realizes that the President has no purnose
to slight him in any way. Considering only
the size Of the South Atlantic squadron.
and not knowing It's Importance and the
great responsibility of the command 1t is
said, those who resent Admiral SchIeys
assignment to that command assume that
1t is one beneath the dignity of an officer
of Schley's services, while. as a matter of
fact the President regards this assignment
as mark of distinction. Without saving
too much as to the possibilities of the flu
ture. the situation at the south of us and
the prospect of war in the Transvaal are
pointed to as indicating the possibility of
the command of the South Atlantic squad
ron being one of the greatest Importance
and one to which the President would not
assign an officer in whom he did not have
the utmost confidence.
Great Opportunity to Display Tact.
The suggestion is made that while the
great vessels of the navy are needed else
where. the service now required of them
Is not of character to give promise of
further famous achievements, whereas q
great opportunity for distinction may be
found by the display of tact and ability In
important situations by the commander of
the South Atlantic squadron. The empha-
Sis put upon this allows the inference that
war In the Iransvaal Is regarded as prob
able and that the protection of American
interests off the African coast will become
very responsible duty.
Effect on Maryland Politics.
1t is felt among politicians that there
nay be some danger of the Schey contro-
Versy having n influencein politics not only
IN Maryland. but in the country at large TO
some extent. The democrats are ready to
avail themselves Of the popularity of Schloy
to the injury Of the administration by Civ
ing currency to the charge that Schley is
being sighted and unjustly treated 1t is
SAID that the Maryland republican leaders
who protested to the President yesterday
against the proposed assignment of Schlev
undoubtedly had reason to apprehend some
resentment in Maryland Of the action con-
strued to be slight to the Maryland naval
hero, but that this was based upon a mis-
apprehension of the situation. 1t is be-
lleved, however, that the fact of the matter
being taken up by Gov Lowndes Senator
Wellington and Gen. Agnus, three of the
foremost republicans of the state, will be
sufficient to show that an issue cannot be
made of Schley between the two parties in
that state.
Running Mate With Bryan.
Some democrats are figuring on Schley as
candidate for the vice presidency with
Bryan. and have gone so far as to make
inquiries as to his availability for a place
on the ticket. Political considerations. Il is
said, may therefore contribute to keep UP
the unfortunate contention growing out of
the naval battle of Santiago, after there is
no longer any ether excuse for 1t. 1t is as
serted, very positively, however, that the
President will not contribute toward this
by putting any slight upon Schley, for
whom he has the highest regard, personal
and official.