Evening star., 1901-10-25
A NOTABLE CHANGE
Rear Admiral Crowninshield May Fe
Transferred.
TO COMMAND EUROPEAN STATION
Admiral Taylor His Possible Sue
cessor in Department.
PRESIDENT IS INTERESTED
COMMAND EUROPEAN STATION
PRESIDENT IS INTERESTED

Next to the SchIey court of inquiry. the
most interesting topic of discussion in naval
circles at present is the reported purpose
of the President and Secretary Long to as
sign Rear Admiral A s. Crowninshed,
now chief of the bureau of navigation. to
the command of the newly organized Euro
pean station. and to appoint Rear Admiral
Henry C. Taylor to be chief OF the bureau
of navigation.
Secretary Long was seen by a Star re-
porter this morning with respect to the
report but the Secretary refused to dis
cuss il except to say that The matter had
not been settled"
Enough was learned, however, in other
quarters, usually well informed in such
matters to show that there is a good basis
for the report One reason why the changes
are not officially announced is that even il
finally determined upon they will not take
effect for over a month yet.
All sorts of gossip current in regard to
the matter. One story is that President
Roosevelt is personally interested in the
detachment of Admiral Crowninshield from
his present position. They are we'll ac-
qudinted with each other and were fire.
quently brought into close official contact
when the President was assistant secretary
of the navy. IL is reported that they diff
fered widely on important questions of adj
ministratiOn in connection with naval prep
aratiOnS for the Spanish war.
Differed Over the Oregon.
One OF the chief of these relates to the
battle ship Oregon. That vessel was then
on the Pacific station. and Assistant Secre-
tary Roosevelt thought it advisable to bring
her around to the Atlantic to assist in the
operations against the Spanish fleet. 1t is
reported that Admiral Crowninshield op-
posed the plan. and that it was only after
Secretary Long joined with Mr.. Roosevelt
that the order was given As is well known,
the Oregon made voyage around the Horn
and took leading part in the destruction
of Cerveras fleet.
Admiral Crowninshield is now in the fifth
year of his administration head of the
navigation bureau. 1t is said that his orig
inal appointment was made on the personal
recommendation of Senator Platt of New
York.
Taylor Originally Chosen.
Rear Admiral Taylor was Secretary
Longs choice for the office, but he declined
it, preferring more active service at sea, in
view of the prospects of trouble with Spain.
The result was that he able to con-
tribute to the great naval victory at Santi-
ago commander of the battle ship In
diana. Admiral Taylor is now on duty in
this city member of the general board,
of which Admiral Dewey is the president
Up TO a short time ago he was president of
the Naval War College at Newport
Although a native of this city he was ap-
pointed to the navy from Ohio. He is one
oi the ablest and most progressive off GERS
OF the navy. and is said to be specially
qualified for the duties of chief of the navi-
CATION bureau. His personal acquaip tance
and long friendship with Secretary Long
would assure harmonious administrator.
The European station is regarded one
OF the most desirable assignments in the
navy. More than usual interest attaches
mo for ha hat ttn
vessels of the squadron will participate in
the ceremonies attending the corona ton of
King Edward VII next year. The govern
ment intends to make a notable display
that occasion. and the American fleet will
be composed of the best representative
ships in the navy.
Formidable Fleet.
Admiral Dewey's flagship, the Olympia
will be the flagship of the European squad
ron and will probably have as consorts the
battle ships Kearsarge. Illinois and Ala
bama. and possibly the cruisers Brooklyn
and New York. The fleet at present is
composed of the flagship Chicago. the
cruiser Albany and the gunboat Nashville.
OF these the Chicago will probably be dc
tached within the next few months for
the purpose of bringing home Rear Ad-
miral II. j. Cromwell, the present COM
mander-in-chief of the station. who will
be retired for age next February.
Admiral Cromwell succeeded Rear Adj
miral Schley in command of the South At
lantic station. but had been on that station
only few weeks when he was ordered to
take the Chicago to Europe ard assume
command of that station.
Admiral Crowninshield has three years
more to serve before his retirement, and if
he We're to serve his full term as chief of
the bureau of navigation would retire
without ever having exercised command of
squadron
II is said that the plan of giving him
command of the European station is intend
ed as a compliment, in order that he may
round out his naval career flag COM
mander. In case this assignment is made
it does not necessarily follow that the orig
mai plan of having Admiral Dewey repre-
sent the American navy at the kings coro-
nation will be abandoned. 1t will be an
easy matter for the President TO designate
Admiral Dewey to represent the navy on
that occasion. and at the same time desig-
nate Gen. Miles or some other high rank
ing officer as a special representative of the
army.