The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-01-06
The White House,
Washington, Jan. 2, 1908.

CATION. a
The action of the late chief of
the bureau, Admiral Brownson, IN
rendering his resignation because he
did not agree with the president and
department regarding an order issued
before he came into the bureau by
the secretary of the navy, as to the
control of the hospital ships, was I'M
seemly and improper. and. coupled
with the various controversies among
the officers OF the navy and their adj
herents as 10 details of naval con-
struction and methods of training. has
undoubtedly been prejudicial TO the
interests OF the navy and may serious
~ impair the confidence in the navy,
which is essential TO securing the leg
station so sorely needed by the navy.
The way In which these controyer-
sizes have been carried out, is highly
Injurious to the service, whether the
communications are made openly over
the signatures of the naval officers, or
byl civilians who have evidently gain
ed their information from naval Of
ticers. There always are and always
will be defects to correct both in The
construction OF ships and in the CT
ganiZation OF the department and In
the actual drill of the feet. 1t Is we'll
that these defects should be. pointed
out. but it is also well that they should
be pointed out without hysterical ex-
aggeration or malicious untruthful-
ness. while IL Is, OF course. reprehen-
sible In the highest degree 10 exploit
them in grossly exaggerated form in
the fancied interest of an individual
or clique OF individuals, or for the
sake OF supplying sensational ma
terial TO some service or non-servicc
newspaper.
The officers OF the navy who are
guilty Of such conduct deserve grave
rebuke. They cast discredit upon the
service and their conduct is deeply
notifying TO every American who be-
lieves In the navy. and Is ANXIOUS TO
uphold its interest and honor.
Wants a Statement
There has been SO much misrep-
resentation and exaggeration that
desire you to make me a statement
as to the exact facts concerning which
there has been dispute. In particular
/ desire you to get the opinion OF
Admiral Converse, who until last
spring was chief OF the bureau OF nav.
igation, and whose high professional
standard OF conduct and duty and
high professional knowledge and at
tainments render him peculiarly MT to
give Judgment.
ct would willingly pass over the
conduct OF Admiral Brownson because
of his fine service in the past IL 1t
were not that at time when new
chief Is chosen to succeed him II be-
comes imperative TO stamp with dis
approval the behavior which. IL fol-
lowed throughout the navy generally,
would literally ruin the navys efiici
ency.
"The question as to which Admiral
Brt wnson took issue with the depart
fnent. I will deal with In separate
letter. It is one as to which there
can be entirely legitimate differences
of opinion, although in my Judgment
the consideration In favor OF the coui Sc
decided upon are overwhelming.
As to Disioyaity.
But there is no room for difference
of opinion as to the gross improperly
OF the admiral's conduct In resigning
sooner than carry out the orders OF
his superior officers In such a matter.
The officers OF the navy must remem-
Der that Il is not merely childish, but
in the highest degree reprehensible
to permit either personal pique,
wounded vanity. or factional feeling on
behalf OF some particular bureau or
organization, to render them disloyal
to the interests OF the navy. and there
fore OF the country as. a whole. The
question whether one officer or an
other shall command a ship Is OF little
consequence compared with the weak
enihg OF all command and discipline
TO refuse to serve whenever their tenn
pers are RULED by adverse decisions
ON the part OF their superiors.
Their sole concern should be the
good OF the service, and save only lack
of courage in actual warfare. obedi-
ence and loyalty are the most essen
tial qualities In keeping the service up
TO the highest standard. The differ
ent bureaus OF the department. the diff
ferent branches of the service, must
act In coordination, and the questions
that arise between them must be set
tied by the authority of the secretary
OF The navy and OF the president.
under and In accordance with the law
enacted by congress; and the frs
duty % every eofsicer. whether Of the
line. OF the pay department. OF the
medical department, or OF the con-
srructfon department, whether In one