The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-08-11
FIGHTING BOB BIG STRIKE ON
REAR ADMIRAL EVANS CENsURED
BY THE ACTING HEAD OF THE
NAVY DEPARTMENT
TOLD TALES OUT OF SCHOOL
Structures on Former Secretary w.
Il. Chandler Contained in "A
Sailors Log" Cnuse of
the Action.
MAY BE COURT OF INQUIRY

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1O.-The navy de-
partment has acted upon the complaint
made by the Hon. William e. Chandler
against Rear Admiral Robley D. Evans
1t has reprtmanded the admiral, and the
following letter has been addressed to
him:
Navy Department Washington, Aug. 9,
lSOI.-Slr:, / ne non. William II. Chandler.
president of the Spanish treaty claims
committee, lately a senator of the United
States and formerly secretary OF tie navy.
mas complained to tne department, as you
are aware, of certain structures upon him
Self in your book, entitled "A Sailor s
Log. The structures in question are in
The nature of asperSionS upon the official
conduct OF the then QSS4) secretary of
She navy. The text Of your book 1t is
not necessary here to recite, nor is 1t
seedful to ask of you an explanation
Shy you felt yourself justified in publish
s1g what you have. 1t is obvious to any
feader that YOU speak Extensively of Sec
$etary Chambers action; that you impugn
his motives and otherwise traduce him
On respect to orders given you by the
secretary in the discharge Of the duties
of his office.
You are Informed that this deliberate
publication Of yours has justly incurred
the displeasure of the department. For
an officer thus to attack a former head
or the navy department because Of an
order given to him by that official is to
ubandon the courtesy that should also
characteriZe an officer Of the navy. If
tolerated 1t would unquestionably prove
subversive of discipline. 1t would tend
TO bring the office itself into disrepute
ne act is the more reprehensible in this
instance, because Of your long experience
in the service.
1t has become my duty, therefore. to
censure you for this breach of the obliga-
lI9h imposed upon you as a commissioned
Oilcef f OF the navy of the United States,
which / accordingly do.
A copy of this letter will be furnished
'e. 20 the Hon Hon. William e. Chandler. Very
Pear Admiral Rob'ey D. Evans. u. S. NJ
Washington, D. c."
Former Secretary Chandler was noti
ned of the action of the department in
the following letter:
Navy Department, Washington, D. c.,
aug. g. l90l:-Hon. William e. Chandler,
Waterloo n. H-Sir: Referring 10 recent
correspondence upon the subject of all
leged structures made by Rear Admiral
Robley ID. Evans upon the conduct end
InOuVes or the secretary Of the navy in
ISo4 published in his book entitled "A
Sallor Log. I have the honor to in
form you that the department regards
TINS action Of Admiral Evans as deserv-
ing Of reproof
Accordingly the department has cen
sured that officer, as viii appear from
with enclosed
IT have the honor 70 he VOWS rasnoo+
fully, r w Hsci.eft efleo'-
Acting Secretary
admiral Evans has acknowledged un-
Ger cate Of Aug 10. 1901, his receipt Of
the letter Of Acting Secretary Hackett.
1T Is the understanding at the navy de-
partment that the action taken closes the
incident. This is certainly so, so far as
the department is concerned and if any
thing further is done it will have to be
on the Initiative Of Admiral Evans in ask
Ing for court Of inquiry, or Of Mr..
chandler. The right of the navy depart
ment to administer a reprimand without
waiting for the findings of a court has
been in question at times, but it is said
the precedents leave no doubt that This
right exists