The sun., 1902-04-27
CAPT. BAYLY TOBE RECALLED?
roo JEALOUS IN COLLECTING
NAVAL INFORMATION.

The British Naval Attache Violated Navy
Department Rule. but n He Is Called
Home IL VIII Not he Because OF
Any Complaint BY This Government,
WASHINGTON, April 2o.-Capt Lewis
Bayly Of the British Navy. the Naval At
tache Of the British Embassy here, will
probably be recalled by his Government
without prejudice TO his character or stand
ing, as the easiest way to dispose OF the
notoriety into which he has been drawn
by reason Of complaints Of overzeal-
BUSINESS on his part In collecting military
information in the United States II was
said to-day that while this outcome may
be expected. Capt. Bayly's recall will not
be the result Of any intimation or expressed
wish Of the United States Government
The statements made in the House OF Com
mons yesterday by viscount Cranborne,
that no complaint against Capt. Bayly had
been made to Lord Pauncefote. the British
Ambassador here, and that Lord Paunce-
fote had been informed that the allega-
tions against the Naval AttacLe were
groundess. were technically correct, but
did not fully cover the case.
The original offence alleged against
Capt. Bayly grew out Of his curiosity in con-
nection with the war games Of the North
Atlantic squadron at Newport last summer
Capt. Bayly. it is understood. applied to
the Navy Department for permission TO
witness the exercises. but the request was
politely refused. 1t being deemed mad
visable TO have any foreign Government
acquainted with the manner In which the
exercises were conducted. Capt. Bayly
eI.s.0. .Ns..N
in yacht which kept close to the ships at
Newport during the war games, and was
able TO observe every move OF the American
ships.
A complaint against Capt Bayly was made
TO the Naval Bureau Of Navigation, whose
chief, Rear Admiral A. 8. Crownnshield
laid II before the Secretary Of the Navy,
who in turn transmitted Il TO the State
Department together with the allegation
that Capt Bayly had violated a Department
rule In going to subordinate officer Of the
naval administration for certain informa-
ton. The rule in question required foreign
Naval Attaches to apply to the Secretary
OF the Navy for any Information they desired
about American naval affairs, but Capt
Bayly, II was charged attempted TO get
some important data direct from Rear
Admiral q. W Melville, chief Of the Bureau
OF Steam Engineering.
More recently report was brought to
Washington from Tampa that Capt. Bayly
had taken soundings and made observations
Of fortiflcations at that place. II was said
that tugboat captain in the employ Of the
Plant Line would make affidavit TO Capt
Bayly's activity in this particular, but as
far as can be ascertained the accusation
was never supported by any documentary
evidence.
From what can be learned the COM
plants against Capt. Bayly, forwarded by
the Secretary Of the Navy TO the Secre-
tary Of State were never formally brought
to the attention OF the British Govern
ment. IL Is understood. however, that
Lord Pauncefote made informal inquiries
Of the State Department on the basis Of
newspaper publications and found that there
was no disposition 20 bring the matter TO an
issue. That Capt. Bayly was a little too
active in securing information about Amer
lean naval affairs for the British Admir-
atty is generally admitted, but az foreign
military and naval attaches are sent here
for the purpose Of obtaining such data
II was decided that there was no occasion
TO make a scapegoat Of the British officer
The British Government is expected TO find
a satisfactory solution OF the incident in
the recall of Capt. Bayly.