The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-01
NAVAL OFFICERS PROMOTED.
Numerical Advance Makes
Evans and Tayfor Rear 8dmiraIs.

Evans and Tayfor Rear AdmiraIs.
The commissions OF those naval officers
whose nominations for advancement on
account OF their services in the Spanish
war were confirmed by the Senate Tues
day night will be made out by the Navy
Department as soon as possible. The
numerical advancement of four officers
in the list will cause them to be pro-
noted Two of these officers are Capt
Sobley ID. Evans. who commanded the
battloship Iowa, and Capt. Henry c.
Taylor, who commanded the battleship
Indiana and each was advanced five
numbers. making them rear aimirals
Captains Evans and Taylor are brothers.
in-law. They VIII be carried on the list
Of rear admirals as additional numbers.
If the pending amendment to that effect
in the Naval bin becomes a law, and.
through that disposition. will not inter-
fere with the natural promotion of other
captains.
None of the officers advanced to
higher grade by reason of services in the
Spanish war will be Obliged to pass the
usual professional examination for pro-
motion. The fact that the Senate has
authorized their promotion is construed
as authority 10 issue commissions to
them without causing them to qualify
professionally. the Senate being the Judge
of their fitness tor promotion in this In
stance.
One Of the four officers promoted to
higher rank is Naval Constructor Hob
500, who goes up ten numbers in his
corps to the relative rank of captain. He
now bears the relative rank Of lieutenant.
and thus is advanced through the grades
of lieutenant commander and commando,
equivalent to an advance of 600 numbers
in the line. In other words. If he were In
the line, he would jump eco officers who
had heretofore been his seniors. This is
the greatest advance ever received by u
naval officer. and has been exceeded in
the history of the United States only by
the recent promotion of Capt J. Frank
lin Ben. OF the army. to be a brga Ter
general, jump OF Li36 numbers Lieu
tenant HOhson will. however, receive al
ditionai pay Of only goo a year. as hisa
longevity pay now amounts to 500. an1
the salary of the rank he will attain is
81. iD. Naval constructors do not have
actual rank. and he does not acquire tn
right To bear the title of captain. which
is merely comparative and relative with
respect TO officers of the line. He viii
continue to bc known officially as Naval
Constructor Hobson.
Junior Lieut.. Henry Heller Ward is the
fourth officer who secured promotion -
a higher grade. He and Hobson received
the greatest advanrc IN numbers, ten
each Bit i'm Lieutenant Wards case The
advancement is equal only to the nIml or
designated He now becomes lieuten-
ant, corresponding TO the grade of eau
tain in the army. His ease is noteworthy
in that II. hats been twice promote
without having 70 undergo profess o al
examination.
Through the onprttiun of the Personnel
act Of March 3 1893 he was promoted
from ensign to Junior lieutenant. and this
advancement being out Of the regular r
der did not require professional duaitlt-
cations.
Lieutenant Wards services in the Span
ish war Were regarded by the President
and the Navy Department as especially
meritOrious and consnlcuous. At the ont
break of hostilities he was on duty in
the Bureau of Navigation The Govern
:nent was anxious to secure reliable in
formation about the condition OF the
Spanish navy, and Rbar Admiral Crown
inshield. Chief of the Bureau Of Navi-
CATION, suggested Ward. who had served
under him on tile Maine. and in who's
courage and discretion he had absolute
confidence Ward. suddenly disappeared
from Washington, and it was reportef
that he had gone on an Inspection tour
of the coast signal STATIONS Instead he
went to Spain posing as an En2lishman
and spent enough time in tSoiz 20 learn
that the Spanish ua ~ was IN pretty IA
shape. lie then went to Porto Hlco.
where he was arrested as SPY but
the Spanish authorities there that h" wa
English. and Span sh sympathize"
Lieutenant Ward WAS reissiSne1 to dutE
in the Navigation Bureau, ana rs sun
there as confidential aide to Admiral
Crowinshield
Junior Lieut.. william II. Buck. who
went also to Spain, and followed III
movements OF Admiral Cameras squat
ron through the Mediterranean to tn
Suez canal, was advanced eight numb rs