The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-06
Full Correspondence Over the
Naval Dispute Made Pub
lie By MetcaIf
BR0WNGOH IS CONDEMNED
IN UNMEASUREO TERMS
President Roosevelt Declares That the
Admiral Had No Right to Act in
Such Childish Manner in
This Connection.

Washington, January 5.-President
Roosevelt's attitude on the question of
| command of hospital ships in the navy
which resulted in the resignation of Rear
Admiral Willard H. Brownson and in
eidentally led to some caustlc observa-
tions on that incident and the contro-
versies among the naval officers and their
adherents as to details of naval con-
struction and methods of training were
made known today when Secretary Met
calf gave to the press two letters from
the President addressed to him on the
subject
In the first of these letters, President
Roosevelt without mncing words con-
demns in unmeasured terms the act of
Admiral Brownson, declaring it to be nn-
seemly and improper. The question as
to which Admiral Brownson took issue
with the navy department. the President
declares, is one as to which there can be
entirely letigimate differences of opinion
but he adds there is no room for DIFF
ferenees of opinion as to the gross i'm
propriety of the admiraIs conduct in re-
signing sooner than carry out the orders
of his superior officers in such a mat
ifis he OlAiCtIS VI lHe navy must re-
member that 1t is not merely childish but
in the highest degree reprehensible to per-
NIT either personal pique. wounded van
ity or factional feeling on behalf of some
particular bureau or organization to rem
der them disloyal to the interests of the
navy and therefore of the country as
whole.
Defects in Navy.
Regarding the controversies in the navy
the President admits there always are
and always will be defects to correct
both in ships and in the organization of
the department and in the actual drill
/ of the fleet. 1t is well, he says, that
j these defects be pointed out, but it is also
well that they be pointed out with
out hysterical exaggeration or mali
Dukes those guilty of exploiting them in
cious untruthfulness. He scathingly re-
kes those guilty of exploiting them in
grossly exaggerated form in the faneed
interests of an individual clique of
individuals or for the sake of supplying
/ sensational matter to newspapers. Be
cause of so much misrepresentation and
! agitation the President asked Secretary
/ Metcalf for statement as to the exact
/ facts concerning which there have been
disputes, desiring particularly the opin-
i ion of Admiral Converse, formerly chief
of the navigation bureau who because
of his high professional attainments and
standards of conduct, the President con-
siders peculiarly fitted to give Judgment.
The letter to Secretary Metcalf regard
ing the retirement of Admiral Brownson
and the controversy in the navy is as
follows:
Presidents Letter.
The White House, Washington, d. c.,
January 2, 1908.
1.-THE Secretary of the Navy-In ac-
cordance with our conversation of today.
Captain Pillsbury will be appointed chief
of the bureau of navigation.
1.-THE action of the late chief of the
bureau, Admiral Brownson, in tending his
resignation because he did not agree with
the President and the department regard
ing an order issued before he came into
the bureau by the secretary of the navy,
as to the control of his hospital ships
was improper and unseemly and with the
verious controversies among the officers
of the navy and their adherents with the
details of naval constructions and meth
ods of training has undoubtedly been pre-
judicial to the interests of the navy and
may seriously impair the naval spirit
which is essential in securing the legis-
lation so sorely needed by the navy. The
way in which these controversies have
been carried out is highly injurious to
the service whether the communcatings
are made openly over the signatures
of the navy officers or by civilians who
have evidently gained their information
from naval officers. There always art
and always will be defects to be cor
rected both in the construction of the
ships and in the organization of bureaus
and the drill of the fleet. 1t is we'll that
these defects should be pointed without
hysterical exaggeration or untruthful-
ness while it is of course reprehensible
in the highest degree to exploit them in
grossly exaggerated form in the interests
of an individual or clique OF individuals
and for the sake of supplying sensational
matter to service or non-service news
papers OF course officers of the navy
who are guilty of such conduct deserve
grave rebuke. They cast discredit upon
the service and their conduct is deeply
mortifying to every American who be-
lieves In the navy and is anxious to up
hold its interests and honor. There has
been so much Misrepresentation and ex-
aggeration that ! desire you to make me
a statement as to the exact facts con-
cerning which there has been dispute. In
particular I desire you to get the opinion
of Admiral Converse. who, until last
spring. was chief of the bureau of naviga-
ton and whose high professional stand
ard of conduct and duty and high pro-
fessional knowledge and attainments
render him peculiarly fitted to give judg-
ment
II would willingly pass over the con-
duct of Admiral Brownson because of his
fine service in the past IL 1t were not
that at a time when a new chief Is