The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-07
WATSON ORDERED Home
The Rear Admiral Relieved of His
Command in the East.
III 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.

Inc secretary OF the Navy announced
| yesterday that Rear Admiral John c. Wat
! son would be detached from the command
| of the Asiatic Station and ordered home on
| account of the delicate condition OF his
/ health. Rear Admiral George c. Remey
will be ordered to Manila to relieve Ad-
/ miraI Watson, and Rear Admiral Bartlett
! J. 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 Baltt-
more. which vessel is to be detached from
the AsiatA 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.
Rear Admiral Watson is regarded with
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 Asiatie 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
Remey 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-
miral Remey arrived in the Philippines.
carly in May. The orders to Admiral Wat
son, he added, lad been transmitted by
mail.
1t 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
Admiral Watsons health was rot improv-
ing. and that he ought to be e:llled. The
Department heard on good authority that
the Admiral was undermining his already
delicate system by too close attention 10
duty. He realized this. It was explained
in these letters. but continued to show too
conscientious devotion to official matters.
The Department recently had reason TO
believe that Admiral Watson wouii vel |
come a recall. He was deferred from ask |
ing for it, however, from Conscientious |
scruples. When this idea was confirmed |
the detachment of Admiral Watson was de- !
cided on.
There have been rumors for some lime !
past that the Navy Department was dis |
satisfied with Admiral Watson. Some Of
these were based on the fact thaS when |
Capt. J. NJ. Forsyth was sent to Manila to |
take command of the armore1 cruiser.
Brooklyn, Admiral Watson transferred him |
TO the cruiser Baltimore and placed Capt. |
C. M. Thomas. of that vessel, in command |
OF the armorclad. The Baltimore had teen |
the admirars flagship. and whoa he trans |
ferred his flag to the Brooklyn he took |
Captain Thomas with him. The Navy De- /
partment telegraphed to the Admiral for /
an explanation Of his failure 20 clrry out /
the Departments orders in regari 70 Cap |
tain Forsyth. 1t is said by officials that |
the admiral had made a satisfactory expla-
nation. In view OF the emphatic state
ment OF Secretary Long that the only rea-
son for the recall Of Admiral Watson was I
the condition of his health, any assertion |
that the Department relieved him on ac-
count Of dissatisfaction with his cOurss may
safely be ignored.
Admiral Watson has heart failure. He |
has suffered severely from that cause since
he has been in the Philippines. The cll-
mate has affected his health also. 1t was
disclosed yesterday that Admiral Watson's
physical condition was such at one time
recently that he was forced to delegate his
to Capt G. F. +. Wilde. OF the
Oregon. and give up all work temporarily. |
Recent reports from DIR. Persons, the feet
surgeon Of the Asiatic station and Ad-
miraI Watson's physician. said that the
Admiral would be all right again physical
ly after he had had a rest.
Admiral Watson took command Of the
Asiatic station on June 1j. 1899. He ap-
piled for and was assigned to that dur,
when Admiral Dewey decided to come
home Admiral Remey was entitled to the
of the North Atlantic station
when Admiral Sampson was assigned to
he command of the Boston Navy Yard last
October. but preferred to wait until Ad-
nral Watson's term of duty in the Philip
pines expired. as the Asiatic station was
regarded the more desirable command
IN account of the Tagalog insurrectiOn