The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1908-01-07
PRESIDENT PUTS
NAVY IN UPROAR
OVER BROWNSON
Criticism of Admiral May
Cause Him to Ask for
Vindication
OFFICERS ARE SCARED
Roosevelt Seeks to Find
Who Writes Magazine
Articles
WANTS TO PUNISH
VIII Make Example Of the
First Warrior he Can
Unrnask
srrc1.1 prsrArcH 70 rHE -

WASHINGTON. Jan 6.-There IS
an uprosr IN naval circles over the
publication Of the presidents letters
TO Secretary Of the Navy Metcalf
charging Rear Admiral Brownson
with "disloyalty" to the interests of
the navy, characterizing his conduct
in resigning chiefsllip of the bureau
Of navigation as Childish, unseemly
and improper" and "prejudicial to the
interests Of the navy" 1t is the ex-
pectation Of friends Of Admiral
Brownson that he will promptly ask
for the appointment of court of in
Quiry TO determine whether his &C
ton warrants the permanent entry Of
the presidents criticism upon his naval
record. This course may he rendered
unnecessary by a resolution from con
rress calling for the fun CORE
rpondenoe on the subject, and possibly
appointment OF a congressional COM
ruittee To investigate this and other
troubles of the navy.
The president today took steps to
discover. II possible. the naval officers
who are suspected Of furnishing ma
terisl to magazines and service papers
as the basis for sensational attacks
upon the designs and effectiveness of
American battleships. His vigorous
deuunoiation Of these officers who have
been engaged in this work sent cold
chuls Up and down the spine Of more
than one prominent officer
It is v-eu known here that = small
CLIQUE Of oficers have been giving out
facts for attacks. and in some cases
have been suspected Of actually writ
ing the articles. These officers are op-
posed 10 the bureau chiefs. especially
those who compose the board Of con-
struction. which prepares designs for
warships.
The president this morning sent for
an oncer whose nsmo has been men
toned in connection with the Reuter-
dahl magazine article. Il has bee'-
hinted that this officer supplied the
facts for this article. II he did not
actually write St. he IS known az a
progressive oflcer. with liberal views
about certain features Of American
parships. II the inquiry for the per-
sons responsible for the attacks on
the navy are pursued farther. it IS
thought that the president VIII learn
enough to warrant him in making an
example or some one. which. it seems,
IS what he desires
BRoWNsON7S LETTER PUBLIC
The president today made public the
following letter OF Admiral Brownson.
who resigned as chief OF the naviga-
ton bureau OF the navy department,
with the explanation that it was in
aovertently omitted" from correspond
ence previously made public The let
Ter follows:
Department Of the navy. bureau Of navigation,
Washington. .. C., December q. 1907.
Sir. In April last 1 wss detached by your
order from the command Of the United states
Arsstic feet and ordered 10 Washington and
appointed chief OF the most important bureau In
che navy department. the bureau which, under
the secretary, is charged with matters relating
70 the personnel. discipline and efficiency OF the
neet
This transfer from command which ranks
sn importance sdoat 10 one which is seeond
10 none on shore, coming on the eve Of ny re-
tfrennept from active service. while not 70 my
particular liking was deeply gratifying 70 me. as
it sppesreo 70 be sD evidence Of your confidence
IN ny professional ability
In order. however, that any Efforts Of mine
70 maintain . high standard of efficiency and
cifcipltns IN the service be attended with sue
cesE. 4 IL absolutely essential that I should
have the confidence Of the service at large a.
wen as that OF higher suthority. The efficiency
81 the feet can only BE- maintained when the
ofhcers and men feel that the chief OF the
bureau Of navigation has the confidence Of the
commander in chief Of the army and navy and
win q strong military spirit existing in the
service Anything that shows lack or con
fdeuce or that tends to break down this military
spirit. which has been the safeguard and princI-
pal asset Of the navy since its beginning can
dut impair such efficiency
The recent order placing = medical officer il
command of a hospital ship IS. in my opinion.
and as bave endesvored on several occasions to
point out TO you, clearly opposed 10 the intent