The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-18
Change VIII Be Made Alter
 Leaving San Francisco
PROMOTION FOR OFFICERS
Rear Admiral Thams Will Be In Tenn porary mmand-Captains Schroe- der and Wainwright Will
 Be Promoted.

Washington, March 17.-Rear Admiral Charles S. Sperry will be commander-in- chief of the Atlantic battleshp fleet when 1t leaves San Francisco in July to en- circle the globe. This important detail was decided upon by President Roosevelt and his cabinet today.
 Rear Admiral Evans, on his personal request, will be relieved from command at the conclusion of the big naval review at San Francisco May 10. The admiral considers this the completion of the work he was assigned to do-take the Atlantic fleet to the Pacific coast. Admiral Evans retires in August.
 To Rear Admiral Thomas comes the honor of commanding the fleet on it's visit 10 Puget sound and until the homeward journey begins. He has been second in command during the voyage, and retires in October
 These retirements make possible two promotions to the grade of rear admiral and these are to be filled by the advance ment of Captain Seaton Schroeder, and Capt. Richard Wainwright, who will com mand respectively the third and fourth squadrons of the feet and Rear Admiral Emery the second.
 Programme For Evans.
 Admiral Evans will retain command of
  view to be held at San Francisco May s. The admiral retires In August. 1t is e&- peeted he will return at once to Washing ton. Secretary Metcalf said. however, that he had no special duty In mind be- tween his relinquishment of command and inc date of his retirement. Rear Admiral Thomas, who will succeed Admiral Evans m command uneil the homeward journey begins, is scheduled to retire in Octo- Der: When he relinqulshes the command to Admiral Sperry, it Is expected that he also will return to Washington. The vacancies caused by the retire ment of Admiral Evans and Admiral Thomas will be hlled by the promotion to that rank of Capts. Seaton Schroeder and Richard Wainwright, each of whom now commands a battleship in the fleet. Ad- mlral Emery who commands one of the squadrons in the fleet will continue in that detail, being second in command to Admiral Sperry. Admiral Emery Is to re- tire in December. Captain Ingersoll, who is Admiral Evans chief of staff, will be detached from the fleet before it sails for home.
 As reorganzed, the command of the Atlantic fleet will be as follows:
 Rear Admiral Sperry, commander-in- chief of the First squadron and Rear Admirals Emery, Schroeder and Vain wright commanders of the Second, Third and Fourth squadrons, respectively.
 Sperry's Record.
 Admiral Sperry, who is to bring the "big sixteen" back to the Atlantic coast by circling the globe, has had long and distinguish service In the navy. He is a native of New York, but Is accredited to Connecticut in his appointment to the Naval academy. He became a rear ad- miral in May, 1906. During the war with Spain, Admiral Sperry was equipment of ficer In the New York navy yard. After ward he was given command of the York town In Philippine waters and directed eastern shore of the Luzon, which is now regarded as one of the most thrilling adventures of the campaign against Agui- naldo. The landing party of the York town was captured by Aguinaldo's men, Some of them were wounded and all were taken prisoners. Then came the famous chase of the insurgents and their pris- oners throughout the length of the island resulting in the release of the men at Apanri on the northern extremity of Luzon.
 As one of the officers under Admiral Walker Sperry helped to make success full the picturesque voyage of the White Squadron which visited European and South American ports in 1S91-92
 From the command of the New Or leans on the China station Admiral Sper- ry became president of the war college. His next detail was to the last Hague peace conference, where he went as one of the American delegates. Returning from The Hague he was assigned to the command of the Fourth division of the Atlantic fleet. in which capacity he made the trip around the horn with Admiral Evans