Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-16
scHLEYs kEw COMMAND
Will Be Assigned to the South Atlantic
q, Squadron.
Prefer" t4f European statioa-Ar-
rangenient May Be Revoked by
the Navy Department..

the Navy Department.
AS frequently predicted in The Star. Rear
Admiral VIM. s. Sch1ey has been detached
from duty as president of the naval retir-
| ing board in this city and ordered to hold
himself in readiness for sea. These orders
| are merely preliminary to his formal as
| signment to the command of the South At
lantic squadron upon the relief of Rear
| Admiral Henry L. Howison from that duty
early next month Admiral Howison will
retire for age on the 10th proXimo, and he
| will relinquish his present command few
| days after his arrival in this country on
| the Chicago, which is due by the 9Th
proximo at the latest
The South Atlantic squadron Is admitted
| ly the least desirable flag command in the
navy. Except in special emergencies it
has seldom consisted of more than three
small cruisers and has not usually been
commanded by an officer of higher rank
than captain. The only exception in re-
cent years W;ls during the naval revolution
| in Brazil several years ago, when Rear
Admiral Benhsm was sent to Rio with a
large fleet of vessels for the protection Of
American interests.
1t is true that Rear Admiral Howison is
at present in command of the station, but
as a matter of fact, he merely cruised
through its waters in returning from visit
to European and African ports on the Chi
cago. Up to the time he received that
assignment Admiral Howison had not had
command as d flag officer and it was to
give him that distinction before his retire.
ment, IN accordance with the usageS of the
service, that he was assigned to the COM
mand of the South Atlantic station in April
last
Increasing Size of the Squadron.
In order to make the command of that
station commensurate with Rear Admiral
Schleys rank, the Navy Department has
taken steps to increase the size of the
squadron.
The Cincinnati probably will go there
The Detroit is already on her way to join
and the Marblehead is likely to be at
tached. Altogether there will be about
ike or six ships on the station when the
quota is filled. 1t is said at the depart
ment that with a threatened war in South
Africa, which Is part of the station, and
the disturbed conditions in South and Cen
trail America. the South Atlantic command
is likely to become an important one in
the service in the near future
May BE Opposed to Going
Although Admiral Schley has been select
ed for the command of the South Atlantic
station, there Is no certainty that he will
so there. 1t Is almost unprecedented to
assign an officer of the highest rank to
uncongenial duty. except in exceptional
cases. where no other officer is available,
and in accordance with this usage it is
possible that Admiral Schley's orders may
be revoked. in case he indicates strong
Discrimination for the proposed command.
The wishes of Rear Admiral Sampson
We're consulted in his assignment to the
Boston navy yard and the wishes of Ad-
miral Farquhar were similarly consulted
before his assignment to the command of
the North Atlantic station. Rear Admiral
xrrl4., lx.I
portant sea Command, will receive similar
&C nsideratlon before the issue of his or
ders. ~
1t is therefore supposed that the same
course may be followed in the case Of Adj
miral Schley,: and that he, will not be sent
to the South Atlantic against his will.
Prefers the European Station.
Although Admiral Schiey has never Off
cially expressed his unwillingness to go to
the South Atlantic, it is we'll known to all
his friends that he has a decided prefer
ence for the European station.
When he was detached from command Of
the flying squadron soon after the close OF
the Spanish war he applied personally to
Secretary Long, for another sea command
with preference for the European squad
ron. " hich it was then thought would be
re-established within few months. The
Secretary said his wishes would be respect
ed Nothing has been done in the direction
of re-establishng the European station up
to this time.
Since Admiral Schiey filed his application,
however, the commands of the Asatic sta
ton and the South Atlantic station have
been filled by Admirals Watson and Howl
son. respectively. 1t Is now said that the
European squadron may be re-established
in the course of the next few months and
that either Admiral Sampson or Remey,
with the chances in favor of the latter, will
be placed in command of it.
Department Unlikely to Insist.
OF course. Admiral Schley would be COM
PEELED to obey the orders Of the depart
ment or suffer the penalties of trial by
court-martial fer disobedience of orders,
unless he should be given an opportunity
to resign from the service
But it is said that the matter is not at
all likely to assume anything like so SER
ious phase as that. and that the depart
ment will probably relieve Admiral Schley
from the operation of the order in case it
should prove irksome and dstasteful to
him. The matter will be settled definitely
in few days
1t is understood that the complication
will be avoided by ordering the Chicago to
Norfolk.