Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-06-29
KEMpFF NOT A DIPLOMAT.
As Good a fighte; as Ever Commanded a
Ship,
Hut because of Ills Deficiency I'm Dip
lomacy, the Navy Department IL
Not Satisfied With Him.

New York, June PA special to the
Tribune from Washington says
Admiral Remey is expected to re-
lieve Admiral Kempff next Sunday and
send him to Nagasaki or Che Foo. Of
flcial dissatisfaction with Admiral
Kempff has been displayed frankly by
all the authorities here
The necessity for Admiral Kempff's
speedy detachment, It is said at the
navy department, has been apparent
ever since It was learned that Flag
Captain McCalla had gone to the front
with Vice Admiral seymour's column
for II was we'll known to officials that
without McCallas constant advice the
American senior naval officer could not
be depended upon TO meet grave emer-
gencles involving discretion of a high
order. Kempff has always been re-
garded as one Of the finest sailormen
in the service and as good a tighter as
ever commanded a ship. but he was
never proficient in diplomatic matters
and was declared 10 be unsuited 70
represent the United States al a great
gathering Of the great naval powers
on the most important duty that has
fallen to any officer since the war Win
Spain.
The idea that Kempff was sent 10
Asia on account of special fitness was
demolished at the time he went. his
orders were simply the result OF an
effort I'm the navy department TO induce
him to go on the retired list Volun-
tarily and make a vacancy for promo
tions all along the line Admiral Re
mey was chosen for senior command IN
Asia on account Of his special fitness.
After Admiral Remey who was NO
on the admlrars list, was ordered 70
Asia last March, Admiral Mccormack,
No is on the same list, was ordered
as second in command. He promptly
retired. as he was expected to do. lie
rose a grade by retiring and also avoid
ed what Is really captains duty the
second in command Of a fleet having no
independence OF action and therefore
being Inundated below his actual IN
dependent flag officers rank.
Then Rear Admirals Day (No ID
and Cotton NO. 20). were similarly re-
tired TO avoid duty as second IN CONF
mand. Then the same orders were
given 10 Kempff. who was at the time
in possession OF the exceedingly de-
sirable billet Of commandant at Mare
island. where he was awaiting retire.
ment He was No. IL on the list ana
would presumably decline an appoint
ment that three Of his juniors had Just
refused. but he astonished the depart
ment by accepting with alacrity and OF
farlng 10 sail the next day. The de-
nartment had to make the best OF the
matter and therefore put Captain Nc
Gala one of the most brilliant men IN
the navy. I'm command OF Kempns nag
shin IN edualize any deficiencies that
might develop. Until McCalla left his
most 10 march 10 the relief Of the lega-
lions All was plain sailing. but since
that time evaporation In Washington
over Kempffrs reports has been steadily
growing. each new dispatch making IL
more acute. -
THE failure 20 participate with the
other admirals IN taking the Taku forts
viii require a clear explanation from
Admiral Kempff as soon as the pres
emf crisis permits a court OF inquiry
Not one OF the dispatches sem Dy the
admiral i'm the last two weeks Is clear
I'm essentials. Superiuous words are
common and in several instances sim
ole words have been omitted which
would have been Of great value 10 the
government. Last Sunday Admiral
Penney was ordered 10 go 10 Nagasah
ana coal the Brooklyn and be ready 20
relieve Kempr Monday he was or
dered 10 proceed Immediately 70 Taku
ora assume command at once. The
Rrooklvn left Manila on Tuesday ana
win reach Taku Sunday and from that
dav the authorities VIII breathe easier.