Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-03-07
RELIEVE ADMIRAL WATSON
Allegation that Friction With Officers Was
Connected with Change.
His Health IL Not Good-Wby Admir-
al Remey was Given the
Asiatle station.

New York, March Ia special to the
Herald from Washington says:
II Is said that there has been some
friction between Rear Admiral Wat
son and officers Of his fleet Comman-
der L. ID. Taussig was summarily de-
tached from the command Of the Ben
nington and ordered home for alleged
criticism Of the commander-ln-chlef,
though It is said that Commander
Taussig was not insubordlnate There
has also been friction between the rear
admiral and the bureau OF navigation
relative to his chief OF STAFF.
Rear Admiral Watson several months
ago desired Commander c. c, Cornwall
to act as his chief OF staff and assigned
him TO the duty, but the department
disapproyed his action. only recently
the department ordered Captain
Charles NJ. Thomas to command the
Brooklyn Rear Admiral Watson trans
ferred Captain James NJ Forsythe
from the Baltimore to the Brooklyn
and, II is said, gave an explanation as
20 his action In compliance with re.
quest made by the department.
The bachelor officers Of the fleet have
also complained because the married
officers whose wives who were In Ma
Mia were all allowed to remain on
shore without procuring permission
from the cOmmander-in-e chief one or
two nights week, while the order OF
the rear admiral required the younger
unmarried men TO be on their ships
after Z or S o'clock at night, and not
10 remain on shore without written
permission.
Rear Admiral Watson's health was
such that he was temporarily relieved
from command several months ago
though the fact was not made public
The Baltimore Will probably return
home under the command Of Captain q.
F. +. Wilde, who now commands the
Oregon and who has been two years
on the Asiatic station. Captain Thomas
will probably be transferred 20 the
Brooklyn, and Captain Forsythe TO the
Oregon. officers whose tours Of duty
AT sea are about expiring will be
brought home In the Baltimore. These
changes will not be determined upon
until Rear Admiral Remey reaches
Manila.
Rear Admiral Remcy, the successor
10 Rear Admiral Watson, was selected
by the department because Of his well
known ability and particularly because
OF his work az Key West during the
war with Spain. Though senior to
Rear Admiral Sampson he accepted
without protest the order OF the de-
partment assigning him TO command
the naval base OF Key West and placing
him under that officers command.
The department has never forgotten
his subordlnation, and Secretary Long
has been anxious for an opportunity
TO show his appreciation. Rear Ad.
miral Remey applied some months ago
for the command OF the Asiatlc station,
so that the orders issued to day will
meet with his wishes.
Rear Admiral Watsons dispatch TO
European waters led to the rumors
that the European station was 10 be re-
established, but Secretary LlonE said
the report was erroneous. The secre-
tary has not determined who viii sue
coed Admiral Cromwell as president Of
the retiring board. but Rear Admiral
r. +. Day, a member OF the board,
viii act as president pending the de-
partments decision.