New-York tribune., 1903-03-04
CROWNINSHIELD QUITS.
Ref;res Because Dissatisfied 1CHh HIS
Command.
COTTON GOES TO EUROPEAN STATION

COTTON GOES TO EUROPEAN Si%''O".
washington March 3-Two interesting and Sig
niAcant communications were received at the EeHVy
Department to-day from the European Stauoh' C'O
uas from Rear Admiral Aren't Schuyler CFo"nm-
.h,o1a commanding the European Squadron, asking
IN he nlaced on the retired list Of the navy unoer
the provisions Of the Personnel law The other was
from Lieutenant Henry H. Ward, naval secretary
to Admiral Crownnshield, resgning MS coIIilSsio'
IN the navy Prompt action was taken by secretary
Noodv in regard to the Of Rear Admiral
Crownnshield, and it was decided to relieve MN
from active duty at once, In order that ne HhshI
coue home or visit European capitals. as ne oe-
sires His application for retirement was granted
Rear Admiral Charles S. Cotton commandant OF
tho navy ward at Norfolk, Va was assigned TO the
command Of the European Squadron The squadron
is couposed of the cruiser Chicago the hagship;
the protected cruisers Albany and Cincinnati the
cruiser Raleigh and the gunboat Machias.
TIE Navy Department contented itself at hrst
with the brief statement Of Admiral Cro"nln-
shields application for retirement without eA-
PLANTATION of the reason 1t Is known however
that the admiral dissatisfied VITA the rear
rangement of the armored squadrons after the
caribbean mannuvres last winter. which deprived
him Of the further Of the Illinois as a nag
ship. The circumstances under which ne came
to be deprived Of this ship. one OF the latest anu
most formidable in this or any other navy, were
entirely impersonaI. The general board, Of which
Admiral Dewey Is the head, has decided on the
creation Of magnificent squadron or tronclaos OF
the 6rst TYNE to constitute the ''home squadron"
guarding the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It was
necessary in the Judgment of the board, in order
to make this fleet of the required strength, TO in
clude the Illinois. Moreover, such battleships are
neither effective nor economical as cruisers ana
the Illinois was doing that sort OF duty In Europe
So carrying out its generaI policy, and without
regard to personal feelings, the Navy Department
assigned Admiral Crowninsheld to command the
Chicago and kept the Illinois on the North At
1antio Station. The Chicago. while a serviceaole
cruiser and a fine vessel of ten years ago. is not
illinois, and Admiral Crowninshield did not care
70 60 back to the Mediterranean and the ports Of
Northern Europe, where his flag had fioated over
the battleship in an inferior craft. so ne pro
tested That protest VAS mace mt IN tn tae rena nsn
hdmrai crowninshied retires under that section
an advanced grade consideration of at least forty
.t Re Tsa arss aad a ug s0H ~ & the
grade, that his retirement vii place him II.
Ssss s year, or s5OO more than he would receive
were he retired in his present grade
erToon ws SI1a that g. ecretary Moody had forwarded an
acceptance Of Admiral Crowninshield's request to
TsTf d ams amstain It is Expected that the ADMIRAL
will haul down his flag about March 30. tIe will
@ AMI nrobabIv viii spend some time in Europe be-
fore coming nome. Admiral Cott9n was instructed
h he STened that he could close up his business at
the Norfolk Navy Yard and be ready to start in
Admiral Crowninshield's retirement. in the ord-
nary course viii promote Captains Cook and IIar-
eWeT Is IL in deplorsbe State Of health and is
now at Nauheim. Germany, where it is hoped
il is feared that he cannot pass the physical ex-
animation necessary to promotion. The law does
is probable that. following precedent established
some time ago. he will be promoted on his record,
subject to the results OF a physical examination
to be held later.