The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-26
NAVAL ROW GROWS.
Trouble Started by Brownson Likely to
Reach Congress.

Washington, Dec. 26.-Not since the
day preceding the passage of the per-
sonnet law ten years ago has the feel
ing between line and staff of the navy
been so acute as it is today, as the re-
suit of refusal of Admiral Brownson
to transmit orders from his superior
officer, the president of the United
States, assigning a naval surgeon to
command vessels in the navy. In the
case of the personnel act, it was Mr..
Roosevelt, then assistant secretary of
the navy, who acted the part of paci-
ficator and succeeded in bringing the
two warning factions together in sup
port of the legislation, which for a
decade past, though a make-Shift, has
served to maintain peace between the
two factions in the navy. In the pres
ent instance, however, the efforts of
the president to reconcile the surgeons
and the line officers has failed and it
is probable that the whole controversy
will be threshed out on it's merits in
congress.
This is much deprecated by conserva-
tive officers in both line and staff, as
likely to prove prejudicial to the navy's
interest as a whole for they believe
that in order to succeed in securing
from congress the four great battle
ships, the cruisers, scouts and submar-
ines which form a part of the years
naval estimates, in addition to secur-
ing legislation that will better the lot
of naval officers personally, the navy
must present an united front, which
can not be done if just at the begin
ming of a session, line and staff are
to engage in a fierce strife.
Through the published statement of
Surgeon General Rixey, the merits of
the doctors side. of the case in this
instance have been clearly set forth.
Line officers believe that in common
fairness, they should also have a hear
irc T2v1f fhny bro in oT on "a
position in that respect. Admiral
Brownson preceded his resignation by
cold, clear, logical presentation of the
reasons why he objected to the as
signment of a physician to command
naval ship, even though that vessel
were exclusively devoted to hospital
use. The statement was submitted to
the president, and Notwithstanding the
cations at the White House for this
letter are met with refusal.
Now it is clearly impossible for Ad-
miral Brownson or any of his line OFF,
ter without mourning the risk of
court martial on charges of d1srespect
towards their superior officer, the pres
ident of the United States. So they can
only look for change in the executive
mind or the congressional investigation
which will develop all the facts.
1t may be stated, in the absence OF ,,
the text of Admiral BrOwnson's letter,
that his objection to the execution OF
the presidents order to place a surgeon
in command of the hospital ship Relief
was twofold. tt5
In the first place, like every line Of
fcer, he believed that the subordfnat1on
of any line officer, no matter how low |
in grade, to a staff officer on ship board |
was bad policy and .subversive of naval
discipline. But a stronger objection ini
his mind was that the proposed actions
was clearly illegal inasmuch as it is
forbidden by law or naval regulatory
to assign a staff officer to command
ships. tt is only fair to the staff side
to state that this is debatable ground
and that it would not be difficult toll
,onstrue the naval eaws and regula-
lions in either way.-ISo it is not to be
doubted that when the subject comes
before congress for consideration the
lawyers in that body will find materiali
to support either contention