The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-06-30
KEMPFF RECALLED.
His Services Have Been Very URsatis.
factory to the Navy Department

NEW YORK. June pa special to
the Tribune from Washington says;
Admiral Remey is expected to relieve
Admiral Kempff next Sunday and send
him to Nagasaki or Che Foo. Official
dissatisfaction with Admiral Kempff
has been displayed frankly by all the
authorities here.
The necessity for Admiral Kempfts
speedy detachment. It IS said at the
navy department, has been apparent
ever since 1t was learned that Flag
Captain McCalla had gone TO the front
with Vice-Admiral Seymour's column.
for 1t was well known to officials that
without Mccalla's constant advice the
American senior naval officer could not
be depended upon to meet grave emer-
gencies involving discretion OF a high
order. Kempff has always been re-
garded as one OF the finest sailor men in
the service and as good fighter as
ever commanded a ship. but he was
never proficient in diplomatic matters
and was declared TO be unsuited to
represent the United States at a great
gathering Of the great naval powers on
the most important duty that has fall
len to any officer since the war with
Spain.
The idea that Kempff was sent to
Asia on account Of special fitness was
demolished at the time he was sent.
His orders were simply the result Of
an effort Of the navy department to in
duce him to 20 on the retired list vol
unfairly, and make vacancy for pro-
motions all along the line. Admiral
Remey was chosen FOR senior in COM
mand in Asia on account Of his special
fitness.
After Admiral Remey, who was No.
on the admirals list, was ordered to
Asia last March. Admiral Mccormack,
No. Is on the same list, was ordered as
second in command. He promptly re-
tired as ne was expected to do. He
rose a grade by retiring and also avoid
ed what is really a captains duty. the
second In command Of feet having no
independence Of action and therefore
being humiliated below his actual in
dependent flag officers rank.
Then Rear-Admirals Day mo. ~
and Cotton mo. 2O) were similarly re-
tired to avoid duty as second in com
mand. Then the same orders We're CIV
en- to Kempff, who was at the time in
possession Of the exceedingly desirable
billet Of commandant at Mare Island,
where he was awaiting retirement. He
was No. 10 on the list and would pre-
sumably decline an appointment that
his juniors had lust refused, but he
astonished the department by accepting
with alacrity and Offering to sail the
next day. The department had to make
the best Of the matter and therefore put
McCalla. one Of the most brilliant men
in the navy in command Of Kempff's
flagship, to equalize any deficiencies
that might develop. Until McCalla left
his post to march to the relief of the
legations all was plain sailing, but
since that time exasperation in Wash
ingtor over Kempff's reports had stead
ily grown, each new dispatch making
it more acute.
The failure to participate with the
other admirals in taking the Taku forts
requires a clear explanation from Ad-
miral Kempff as soon as the present
crisis permits court Of inquiry. Not
one Of the dispatches sent by the ad-
miral in the last two weeks is clear In
essentials. Superfiuous words are com
mon and In several instances single
words have been omitted which would
have been Of great value to the gov
ernment.
Last Sunday Admiral Remey was or
dered to go to Nagasaki and coal the
Brooklyn and be ready to relieve
Kempff. Monday he was ordered to
proceed Immediately to Taku and as
sumo command at once. The Brooklyn
left Manila on Tuesday and will reach
Taku Sunday and from that day the
authorities viii breathe easier.