The times., 1899-03-12
A MYSTERIOUS SCHEME.
The Extraordinary Action of Two
Promoted NavaI Officers

Rear Admiral F. J. Higginson and Lieut..
Aaron Ward. one OF whom was promoted
and the other recommended for promotion
for their services in the war. have declined
TO accept advancement on the ground that
II would be unfair to other officers. Ad-
miral Higginson commanded the battle
snip Massachusetts, during the war. lie
was then captain. but his advancement.
in accordance with the recommendation OF
the Secretary OF the Navy. placed him in
the grade Of commodore. The nomination
OF Captain Higginson to be commodore was
contained in the list of promotions for war
services containing the names OF Sampson.
Schiey, Philip. Evans. and others. which
was not confirmed owing to the opposition
of Schley's friends. Through some mad
vertence the nomination OF Captain Hig-
ginson to be commodore was confirmed
Under the Personnel law. approved Marcl
J. the grade of commodore was abolished
anu Higginson became a rear admiral
Secretary Long received yesterday the fol-
lowing letter from Admiral Higginsou. who
is now in Washington;
SIR; 1 respectfully beg to bc allowed 10 re.
SUNG my former number the naval list after
Rear Admiral RrInpf. While deeyy grateful 10
the President and Yourself for rnv nor-}n.ti,n
for work done oft santiago, { do no; regard nv
own services as 50 conspicuous a. to warrant nv
advancement while the other commanding Offices
H'thtHdNth AT lHe same tlIue 47 myself
WSfded They were gallant hand Of naval of-
ncers, and certainly deserved well Of their eom-
Try; and. ii their services TO 60 umecognizcl,
desire 10 share the sane fate
Very respectfully,
FRANCIS j. HcGNsOy.
To the letter Secretary Long sent thi.
answer:
VIII YOU let express my high appreciation
| OF your very handsome and considerate conduct
IN 1sSins I" resume your former number on the
a..
which places YOU above other officers who f,r
thelr gallant services in the recent war deserved
recognition but failed to receive it, owing 70
| tile laiiure OF the Senate to act upon the rec
/ concentrations sent in by the President The
| spirit which You manifest is so admirable ty,t
hasten to write you this letter.
| Ihe department is in something Of a
quandary over Admiral Higginson's case
| owing TO his promotion to commodore for
war services he now has higher numhe-
! on the list OF rear admirals than he world
| nave received II his nomination had shared
/ tue same tate as those Of his brother Off
GERS The Secretary OF the Navy has m
| authority as far as known to reduce him in
number. as he requested, and il will he
necessary TO secure legal opinion befors
action can be taken
on learning OF the recommendation Of
tue Board or Promotions that he be ad-
'dnced Tor his services in the war Lien
tenant Ward wrote to Secretary Long Dc
Ginning advancement on the ground that
ne would become senior 10 his classmate.
Lieutenant stanton. whose services Lien
tenant Ward held were more valuable tb,,
ms own 1t is impossible for me willing
: iy 10 accept promotion which might de-
priVe such an officer OF a commission in
the highest grade said Lieutenant Ward
IN MS letter 10 the Secretary. The list on
! which Lieutenant Wards name was in
ciuded was not sent TO the Senate for the
reason that it might injure the chances Of
'ae continuation of Sampson. Schley. and
The other officers OF high rank.