New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-25
rOGHLAN TO BE PUNISHED.
GERMAN AMBASSADOR CALLS ATTEN.
TION TO HIS SPEECH.
TILE CAPTAINS OFFENCE TOO SERIOUS TO
BE vERLooKED-PRECIsE NATURE
OF THE PENALTY NOT DE-
TERMINED
rpr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. ]

I'll
Washington April 24.-The wretched taste
s,splayed by Captain Coghlan in his speech at
The Union League Club banquet and the almost
nuerle braggadocio involved in singing or de-
claiming an offensive doggerel upon the German
Emperor are not likely to be permitted to pass
without further notice. 1t Is known that the
German Ambassador has drawn the attention
of the State Department to the matter. II. in
deed he has not already lodged a formal protest
against Captain Cognlans conduct. The Navy
Tenartment has called upon the captain for an
exclamation, but at late hour tonight had re-
ceived no reply to its letter sent on Saturday
last
Whether the captain replies or not-and 1t is
ssid that he may avail himself Of the privilege
Of not replying in order TO avoid court-mar-
,ial-tbe Navy Department Is likely to discipline
him in view Of the fact that he Is reported to
have admitted making the speech, using SUBJ
stantially the words quoted in the newspapers
Of the following day, and singing the doggerel
already referred to. What form this discipline
will take It is difficult to say. He may be re-
moved from command of his ship and put on
waiting orders. or he may be suspended for
definite period without pay, forfeting at the
same time his place in the regular line Of pro-
motion.
THE ATTITUDE OF GERMANY.
As 10 the precise nature Of the punishment
the German Government may correctly be sup
posed TO be Indifferent. 1t certainly can have
no desire to prosecute to the point Of persecu-
ton an otherwise gallant and deserving officer.
Rut its attitude is understood to be that 1t
cannot afford to overlook gross and public
an afYront to the Emperor by one bearing the
commission of the President Of the United States
without taking some steps to make recurrence
of such an episode in the future less proba-
BILE.
Although standing high as a man of courage
and determination. Captain Coghlan has never
beea conspicuous for a display of tact and
discretion when the exercise of those qualities
was especially desirable. He is now suffering
the penalty of a previous lack of sef-control
in the performance Of his duty. Some time ago
he wrote letter TO Mr.. Moran. clerk IN the
Bureau of Navigation, accusing him OF persecu-
tion and threatening to "get even with him II
IL took him the rest of his life. 1t is sald that
the letter profane and abusive: II was
turned over TO the Secretary OF the Navy anu
Coehlan was court-martialled. He was SEN
fenced TO a long term of suspension from rank
and duty and during that time lost thirteen
numbers He regained six Of these however,
through his promotion for gallant services III
the battle of Manila Bay. He recently asked 10
have the other numbers restored to him, ana
the Department had the matter under 1aVora-
BILE consideration when the present issue arose.
1t is questionable whether Captain Coenian
can make any explanation of his recen. conduct
that will relieve HIM entirely from punishment
unless he is able to show that he has been mis-
represented IN the matter. ana ala not MAKE
the remarks attributed to him, AS ne mas re-
peated his criticisms Of the German Admiral
several times ii is not expected that ne VIII
attempt to shield himself on the ground that
he was misquoted.