The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-06-30
KEMPFF FOOLED THEM.
He Was Expected to Retire When
Ordered to China.

New York, June 30.-A special to the
Tribune from Washington says: Ad-
miral Remey is expected to relieve Ad-
miral 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 Kempff's
speedy detachment. it is said, at the
navy department, has been apparent
evey since it was learned that Flag
Captain McCalla had gone to the front
with Vice Admiral Seymour's column.
for it 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 regard
ed as one of the finest SailOrmen in the
service and as good a fighter as ever
commanded a ship, but he was never
proficient in diplomatic matters and
was declared to be unSuited to repre-
sent the United States at a great gath
ering of the naval powers on the most
important duty that has fallen 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 went. His
orders were simply the result of an
effort in the navy department to in
duce him to go on the retired list volun-
tarily and make a vacancy for promo
lions all along the line. Admiral ReTney
was chosen for senior command in Asia
on account of his special fitness.
Admiral Remey, who was No. 5 on the
admiralS list, was ordered to Asia last
March, Admiral Mccormick, No IS on
the same list, was ordered as second in
command. He promptly retired as he
was expected to do. He rose a grade
by retiring and also avoided what is
really a captains duty, the second in
command of a fleet having no indepen-
dcn0o. Of onfiOT7 on6 thprsaFOrc hcinrr
INFLATED below his actual independent
| flag officers rank.
Then Rear Admirals Day I'D and
| Cotton CNo. 20) were similarity retired
/ to avoid duty as second in command.
/ Then the same orders were given to
I Kempff, who was at the time in posses
| sion of the exceedingly desirable billet
| of command at Mare Island, where he
was awaiting retirement.
He was No. 10 ON the list, and would
| presumably decline an appointment
| that three of his juniors had just re-
| fused, 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 anC
| therefore put Captain McCalla, one OF
the most brilliant men in the navy, II
| command of Kempff's flagship to equil
| ize any deficiency that might develop
| Until McCalla left his post to march t.
| the relief of the legations all was plai1
sailing, but since that time eXaspera
| ton in Washington over Kempff'S re
ports has been steadily growing, eacl
new dispatch making it more acute
The failure to participate with the othe
adnirals in taking the Taku forts vii
require a clear explanation from Ad
miral KemDn as soon as the preSen
crisis permits a court of inquiry. No
one of the dispatches sent by the ad
miral in the last two weeks is clear i
essentials. Superfiuous words are com
mon and in several instances singl
words have been omitted which woul
have been of great value to the govern
nent Last Sunday Admiral RENE
J was ordered to go to Nagasaki and coz
. the Brooklyn and be ready tC relieV
, Kempff Monday he was ordered t
proceed Immediately to Taku and as
sumo command at once. The Brookly
! left Manila on Tuesday and wi
! reach Taku Sunday, and from that da
E the authorities will breathe easier.