The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-07
WATSON ORDERED home
The Rear Admiral Relieved of His
Command in the East.
Ill Health of the Officer the Reason
Assigned by Secretary Long for the
thnnSe-No Request for Relief
From Duty-Rear Admiral Remey
to Be Sent to the Asiatic station.

The Secretary OF the Navy announced
yesterday that Rear Admiral John c. Wat
son would be detached from the command
account Of the delicate condition OF his
health. Rear Admiral George c. Remey
will be oriered to Manila to relieve Ad-
miral Watson, and Rear Admiral Bartlett
]. Cromwell. President of the Naval Re
firing Board will be assigned to succeed
Admiral Remey as the commandant of the
navy yard at Portsmouth. n. II. Secre-
tary Longs announcement is contained in
the following prepared statement:
''On account of the delicate condition Of
Admiral Watson's health he has been au-
thorized to transfer his flag to the Balti-
more, which vessel is to be detached from
the AsiatAc Station, and to proceed home
by way of the Suez Canal and Mediter-
ranean Sea- stopping at such European
ports as he deems proper, as was done in
the case of Admiral Dewey. He will prob
ably arrive in European waters some time
during the summer and may go to northern
Europe and visit the Paris EXPOSITION.
hulull dl NdtSOh ID itSaiocu WIN
great favor by the Department and his
services are thoroughly appreciated.
Rear Admiral George C. Remey will be
ordered to succeed Rear Admiral Watson
in command of the Asiatic Station"
Secretary Long said he had nothing to
add to the statement. In answer to
question he said that the recall Of Ad-
miral Watson was due only to the reason
given. The Secretary said that Admiral
Reniey would be directed to sail from San
Francisco for Manila on the passenger
steamer leaving there on March 81, and
that Admiral Watson would remain in
command of the Asiatic Station until Ad-
niral Remey arrived in the Philippines,
carly in May. The orders to Admiral Wat
son, he added, lad been transmitted by
mali.
IL was learned that the detachment OF
Admiral Watson was not made at the re-
quest of that officer. According TO tho
best and most reliable explanation obtain
able, the Navy Department had learned
through private letters received here that
Watson's health was rot improy-
ing. and that he ought to be re.llled- The
heard on good authority that
the Admiral was undermining his already
delicate system by too close attention 10
duty. He realized this, 1t was explained
in these letters. but continued to show too
devotion to official matters.
The Department recently had reason to
believe that Admiral Watson wouil well
come a recall. He was deferred from ask
ing for 1t, however, from conscientious
When this idea was confirmed
the detachment of Admiral Watson was de-
cided on.
There have been rumors for some time
past that the Navy Department was Gis-
I'D x,-;&t, .
these were based on the fact thai when
Capt. J. NJ. Forsyth was sent to Manila TO
take command of the armore1 cruiser
Brooklyn, Admiral Watson transferred him
10 the cruiser Baltimore and placed Capt.
c. M. Thomas, of that vessel. in command
Of the armoiclad. The Baltimore had teen
the admiral's flagship. and whcn he trans
ferred his fiag to the Brooklyn he tc1k
Captain Thomas with him. The Navy De-
partment telegraphed to the admiral for
an explanation of his failure 10 cIrry out
the Departments orders in regari 70 Cap
tain Forsyth. 1t is said by officials that
the admiral had made satisfactory expla-
nation. In view of the emphatic state
ment cf Secretary Long that the only rea-
son for the recall of Admiral Watson was
the condition of his health, any assei tiol
that the Department relieved him on ac-
count of dissatisfaction with his cours, may
safely be ignored.
Admiral Watson has heart failure. He
has suffered severely from that cause since
he has been in the Philippines. The eli
mate has affected his health also. 1t was
iisclosed yesterday that Admiral Watson's |
physical condition was such at one time
recently that he was forced to delegate his |
to Capt. G. F. F. Wilde, of the |
Oregon. and give up all work temporarily. |
Recent reports from Dr. Persons, the fleet |
surgeon of the Asiatic station and Ad- |
niral Watson's physician, said that the |
Admiral would be all right again physical |
y after he ha3 had rest
Admiral Watson took command of the |
asiatic station on June 10. 1899. He ap- |
,lied for and was assigned to that dur, |
when Admiral Dewey decided to come |
home. Admiral Remey was entitled to the |
of .he North Atlantic station |
when Admiral Sampson was assigned to |
he command of the Boston Navy Yard last /
october. but preferred 20 wait until Ad-
uiral Watson's term of duty in the Philip
'ines expired. as the Asiatic station was !;
'egardei as the more desirable command |
IN account of the Tagalog insurrection.