Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-29
This Country p Be Represent
ed on North Sea Com mission
DEWEY NOT TO SERVE
American Naval Officer to Be Selected
VIII Be Rear Admiral Sands,
Chadwick or Davis.

The United States government has ac-
cepted the joint invitation of the govern
ments of Great Britain and Russia for the
appointment of a high ranking naval Of
ficer as a member of the international COM
mission to investigate the action of the
Russian Baltic feet in firing on the North
sea fishing fleet. The question of the selec-
ton of the United States representative
on the commission was fully considered
at the meeting of the cabinet today. but so
far as known, without final result
Three Officers Being Considered.
The names of three officers were favor
ably considered by the President and his
advisers, and It is probable that one of the
number will be selected
These are Rear Admirals James H. Sands,
commanding the Coast squadron Of the
North Atlantic fleet; Rear Admiral French
E. Chadwick, recently detached from COM
mand Of the South Atlantic squadron. and
now on his way home, and Rear Admiral
Charles III. Davis. recently promoted ana
assigned TO the command of division or
the North Atlantic feet. Final action III
the matter may be governed by the indi-
vidual wishes of the officers named. 1t Is
said that there is no great desire to serve
on the part of any of the high-ranking ofi-
GERS of the navy. and that some difficulty
may be experienced in finding one Of flag
rank willing to act in that capacity VINO Is
not otherwise engaged.
An argument used in favor of the selec-
ton of Admiral Chadwick Is that ne Is al
present unemployed. and will probably be
in Europe for several months. He was re-
Eeved from command of the South Atlantic
station at his own request In order to be
near his wife. who is in extremely delicate
health, and it is said to be her present in
tertion to meet him at one of the health
resorts of Europe. The commission, by the
terms of the agreement. will hold its ses-
lent for Admiral Chadwick to make that
city his headquarters, provided the sessions
of the commission are not unduly pro-
longed. 80
There is an impression, however the
foundation for which is not stated. that
the selection OF tae. American naval repre-
sentative may fall upon Rear Admiral Da-
Wis. He is the youngest of the three officers
under consideration and is said to be pc
cuiarly qualified for the assignment by
reason Of his ability and availability. He Is
Senator Lodges brother-in-law.
Why Dewey Declined.
Admiral George Dewey. the ranking Off
Ger of the navy; was naturally the original
choice of the United States navy, but when
the subject was informally preached to him
by Secretary Morton he indicated his in
ability to leave the country for the purpose
indicated by reason of the pressing char
acter of his duties and because of his i'm
portant official engagements for the win
ter. He is now engaged in formulating the
plans for the joint maneuvers of the North
Atlantic, European and South Atlantic
squadrons in the Caribbean next February
and will have supreme command of the ma
val operations on that occasion.
Another reason given by Admiral Dewey
for his unwilEingneSs to serve was that
as he would probably be the highest
ranking officer Of the court, which will
consist of a Russian, an Englishman, a
Frenchman. an American and one other,
all naval officers, he would become presi-
dent of the tribunal, and on him would
fall the duty of deciding all questions
over which there would be an even di-
vision among the other members.
His decisions. he explained. would prob
ably be obnoxious In nearly every instance
to one or the other of the parties interested,
and he held that as the United States gov
eminent was on the best of terms with both
England and Russia it should not permit
itself to be placed in an embarrassing posi-
ton with either, through having one of its
naval officers serve as president and UNI
pire of the tribunal
Reasons Deemed Weighty.
The President and Secretary Morton con-
sidered the reasons given by Admiral Dewey
as sufficient to relieve him from further
consideration in the matter and it was off,
cially announced today, as already stated,
that the selection is now practically con-
fined to Rear Admirais Davis, Chadwick and
Sands with the cbappaS in thu ordar N ,,,a1