The sun., 1901-08-11
IDNIRALEVANS REPRINANDBD
rENsURED FOR STRUCTURES ON
Ex-sECRETARY CHANDLER.

Uacketts Action NOT taken WlthOu
consult alton with Secretary I.eng
Former Secretary Chandier's Letter.
WASHINGTON. Aug. io.-Much surprise
xas shown to-day by naval officers when
!, was announced that Rear Admiral Evans
had been publicly reprimanded by Acting
secretary OF the Navy Hackett for his
u,teranoes against former Secretary Of tho
Navy Chandler The announcement was
entirely unexpected, particularly because
n the alleged statements OF Secretary Long
that he regarded the matter as trivial.
Mr. Hackett had for several days refused
TO discuss the subject with reporters and
.tated that he would take no action until
he had heard from Secretary Long. Rear
Admiral Evans, when seem here tonight,
refused to make any statement. saying
that he declined to talk about the matter
now.
|, has been nearly Q month since tho
Navy Department received Mr.. Chambers q
second letter, dated July Is. which he
called upon tho Navy Department to take
some action against Rear Admiral Evans.
Secretary Long, before going on his vaca-
tlon, had read the first letter and had prac-
,cally decided to let the whole affair settle
it.ef Mr. Chandler persisted, however,
in some action and the reprimand To Rsa
Admiral Evans u the result Of his insistenoe
that something be done. Naval officers
question the action Of Mr.. Hackett, how
ever, for two realms; one being that on
the face Of the reprimand Rear Admiral
explanation in justification OF his con-
duct and. secondly, that Mr.. Hackett ap-
parenty prejudged the case by deciding
that the officers remarks In his book i'm
puxned Mr.. Chandler's motives In issuing
The order detaching Rear Admiral Evans.
They say, furthermore, that the naval
regulations do not permit Of public spri-
first giving him trial by court martial,
or asking him for an explanation. Mr.
Hackelt has said several times that he did
no more than call Rear Admiral Evans
attention 10 the fact that Mr. Chandler
had sent to the Department his second
letter One thing is certain, the action Of
the Department is not entirely that of the
acting Secretary, for IL is known that it
was not taken without full consultation
with Secretary Long, and unless Rear
Admiral Evans asks for a court of inquiry
the incident will close with the reprimand.
The corresponence> made public at the
Navy Department to-day is as follows:
NAVY DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON, ID. c.. Aug Q, 1901.
SIR; The Hon. William f., Chandler,
Ter. President Of the Spanish Treaty Claims
Commission. lately Senator Of the United
States, and formerly Secretary Of the Navy,
has complained to the Department, as you
are aware, of certain structures upon him
self in your book entitled A Sailors Log
The structures in question are In the
nature Of aspersions upon the official con-
duct Of the then QssD Secretary Of tho
Navy.
The text of your book It is not necessary
here TO recite. Nor is it needful to- ask Of
you an explanation why you felt your
self justified in publishing what you have.
1t Is obvious to any reader that you speak
Extensively Of Secretary Chandler's action:
that you impugn his motives, and other
wise traduce him in 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 former head Of the
Navy Department beoause Of orders given
10 him by that onicial is 70 abandon the cour-
tesy that should always characterize an
officer OF the navy. II tolerated, IL would
unguestionably prove subversive Of dis
cipline. II would tend TO bring the office
reprehensible. In this instance, because
ofyour long experience in the service.
II has become my duty therefore, to CEN
sure you for this breach Of the obligation
imposed upon you as 90 nmissioned
officer Of the navy Of the U'ited States,
which / accordingly do.
copy OF this letter will be furnished
to the Hon. William z. Chandler. Re-
Wv. HAcKErT, Acting Secretary.
Rear Admiral Robley ID. Evans, U. 8. N,
Washington.
The following letter was sent to Mr..
Chandler:
NAVY DEPARTMENT.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 0, 1901.
tn, Hon. William r. Chandler. Waterloo,
~ H.:
SIR: Referring to recent correspondence
upon the subject Of alleged structures made
by Rear Admiral Robley D. Evans upon the
the Navy in 1884. published In his book en-
titled A Sailors Log have the honor
10 inform you that the Department regards
this action Of Admiral Evans as deserving
OF reproof.
Accordingly the Department has CEN
sured that officer, as will appear from copy
Of letter to him Of this date. herewith in
N"o'u Il HdNoi tio hoiio' W Dc' youis
respectfully
F.. VI. HAcKETT. Acting Secretary.
Admiral Evans acknowledged. under date
Of Aug. 10, 1901, his receipt OF the letter Of
acting Secretary Hackett.
cHANpLER's LETTER OF COMPLAINT.
CONCORD, n. H., Aug. io.-When ap-
preached in this city this afternoon for an
interview regarding his difficulties with
Rear Admiral Evans. relative TO the letters
Sailors Log" Senator Chandler gave
out however, the following letter Of July IS
TO Secretary Long bearing upon the sub iect.
CONCORD, n. H., July IS, 1901.
TO The Hon, John ID. Long, Secretary OF the
"SIR: Referring to my letter to you. Of
June last In reference to Admiral Robley
II. Evans's structures upon me in his volume
entitled A Sailors Log" Pages 23o and
223J, wish to say that much regret that the
Admiral, who was furnished with a copy
Of the letter on June G. has not chosen to
withdraw or qualify his structures, on being
reminded Of the fact that he was relieved
from duty as lighthouse inspector, on
July II, 1884, only by reason OF the request
OF the Hon Charles j. Folger, Secretary
OF the Treasury, under whom he was serv-
ing and not az all by reason OF any opinion
or desire Of mine.
BY order Of April 7. 1882, Commander
Evans. on April 80, had been detached
from direct service in the navy, and on
May ordered 10 act as assistant inspector,
and on juno 80. IA inspector OF the Fifth
Lighthouse district. serving under the
ing, in July 1884, Secretary Folger informed
me that Ia dosired Evans's sarvica no