Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-06
BROWNSON IS SCORED
The President Condemns His
Refusal to Serve.
OBEDIENCE FIRST DUTY
Admiral's Letter Giving Reasons
Made Public.
COMMAND OF HOSPITAL SHIPS
Chief Executive Defends Attitude in
Giving Charge to Medical
Officers.

l -
Giving Charge to Medical
Officers.
Presidents RooseveIt's attitude on the
Question of the command of hospital ships
| In the navy. which resulted in the resig-
nation of Rear Admiral Willard H. Brown
son from the Office Of chief of the bureau
of navigation, and, incidentally. some
caustic observations on that incident on
the part Of some naval officers and their
adherents, Is fully exploited In two letters
addressed to Secretary Metcalf on the
subject and made public at the White
House. ;:-
Duty Of Obedience. F. =
The first letter to Secretary Metcalf was
as follows:
THE WHITE HOUSE,
WASHINGTON. January2 2. 1908
ITO the Secretary of the Navy:
"In accordance with our conversation
of today Capt. Pillsbury will be appointed
chief Of the bureau Of navigation.
1.-THE action of the late chief Of the
bureau. Admiral Brownson, in rendering
his resignation because he did not agree
with the President and the department re-
garding an order, issued before he came
into the bureau, by the Secretary of the
Navy, as to the control of the hospital
ships. was unseemly and improper. and,
coupled with the various controversies
| among the officers Of the navy and their
| adherents as to details Of naval construc-
doubtedly been prejudicial to the interests
of the navy, and may seriously impair
the confidence in the navy which Is es-
sential to securing the legislation so sore
llxy, lal hx,t 1a ln " II, U
these controversies have been carried out
is highly Injurious to the service, whether
the communications are made openly over
the signatures of the naval officers. or
by civilians who have evidently gained
their information from naval officers.
There always are and always Will be
defects to correct, both in the construction
OF ships and in the organization OF the
department. and In the actual drill OF the
feet. 1t is well that these defects should
be pointed out. but 1t is also well that
they should be pointed out without hys-
terical exaggeration or malicious untruth-
fulness; while it is. Of course, reprehensible
In the highest degree to exploit them In
grossly exaggerated form In the fAncied
Interest Of an individual or clique OF in
dividuals, or for the sake of supplying
| sensational material to some service or
non-service newspaper. The officers Of
the navy who are guilty of such conduct
deserve grave rebuke. They cast dis
credit upon the service. and their conduct
is deeply notifying to every American
who believes in the navy and Is anxious
to uphold its interest and honor. There
has been SO much Misrepresentation and
exaggeration that / desire you to make
me statement as to the exact facts con-
corning 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 navigation, and
whose high professional standard Of con-
duct and duty and high professional
trne 1ale ND OF 10 i'm
peculiarly fit to give Judgment.
1T would Willingly pass over the con-
duct of Admiral Brownson because Of his
fine service In the past IL 1t were not that
to succeed him it becomes imperative to
| stamp with disapproval the behavior
| which. II followed throughout the navy
generally would literally ruin the navy's
miral Brownson took issue with the de-
partnent ! will deal with In separate
'etter. 1t Is one as to which there can
be entirely legitimate differences of opin-
siderations in favor OF the course decided
upon are overwhelming. But there Is no
room for difference of opinion as to the
gross improperly Of the admirars con-
duct in resigning sooner than carry out
the orders Of his superior officers in such
a matter. The officers of the navy must
remember that 1t Is not merely childish,
but in the highest degree reprehensible
to permit either personal pique, wounded
vanity. or fractional feeling on behalf Of
some particular bureau or organization
to render them disloyal to the interests Of
the navy, and therefore of the country as
a whole. The question whether one off,
Ger or another shall command a ship Is Of
weakening of all command and discipline
which would result II officers were to re-
| fuse to serve whenever their tempers are
rufied by adverse decisions on the part
| of their suoeriors.
Their sole concern should be the good
| Of the service, and. save only lack Of
| courage In actual warfare. obedience and
loyalty are the most essential qualities
in keeping the service up to the highest
standard. The different bureaus of the
department. the different branches Of the
| service, must act in coordination, and
| the questions that arise between them
must be settled by the authority Of the
Secretary of the Navy and of the Presi-
dent, under and in accordance with the
| law enacted by Congress; and the first
duty of every officer. whether of the line.
| of the pay department. Of the medical
department, or Of the construction de-
partment, whether in one bureau or in
| another, is to give immediate and loyal
| obedience to every lawful command of a
superior, and. of course, above all, to the
| law itself. This duty Is incumbent upon
all, but 1t Is most incumbent upon those
| highest in rank, whose example may be
| of far-reaching effect.
| (Signed THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
Surgeons as Commanders.
The Presidents second letter to Mr.
Metcalf Is an argument to sustain his de-
cision to assign medical officers to the
command OF hospital ships. 1t follows:
WHITE HOUSE.
WASHINGTON. January 4. 1908.
ITO the Secretary Of the Navy.
| your predecessor In the Navy Depart
ment on December IL. 1905 directed that
| hospital ships should be treated as float
| ing hospitals. and that each such ship
should therefore be placed under the COM
| mand of a medical officer, the navigation
being controlled by a competent sailing
| master. This order was issued after the
| most careful consideration. by the Secre-
! tary of the Navy and by the President,
| Of all the reasons that could be adduced
| for and against 1t. The case had now been
| reopened. and the Secretary Of the Navy
and the President have again listened to
and considered all the reasons that could
be adduced against putting the order into
effect. After the fullest consideration l
have determined that the order Is right,
and 1t is hereby confirmed.
1.-THE hospital ships of the navy will
here after, unless otherwise directed by
Congress. be placed under the control and