Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-02-05
And Tea. AdmRaI MeCa|la Adds Sec
PelaPy HleleaJf TO /.
WANTS NAVY Hill SECRETARY
Ono Of Three AdmlraIs Quoted says
He Said All Attributed to Him and
Stands by Ie-eoodrleh Pleads No.
Guilty.

miral McCalla. retired. Is one officer
of the military service who has dem
onstrated the, courage Of his convic-
lions when called upon by his SUI
periors to explain whether he was
correctly quoted in newspaper artl-
Gle crlticlsing the service to which
no belongs.
Rear-Admirals Goodrich. command
ant OF the New York navy yard; Nell
Vile. retired, living In Philadelphia.
and McCalla. retired, living in San
Diego, were recently called upon by
Secretary Metcalf TO explain inter-
Views in which statements attributed
to them were not exactly In harmony
with the time honored methods OF the
navy department. To each was sent
| n copy OF tho letter of President
Roosevelt. written to Secretary Met
calf January 2. In which he branded
Admiral Brownson and all officers
who In any way oppose or crlticise
the methods of their superiors or the
navy department as dsloyal. Nd
| that he wasn't guilty. He's still on
| ltt NCNlNc npA> ftuuiiNl 4itiifiiici
who has been on the retired list some
time. took more time In replying. His
explanation, while not repudiatinE tho
| interviews entirely. was finally ac-
copied as satisfactory.
| Frankly Admitted All.
Admiral MoCalla. In his answer. re-
| ceived by Secretary Metcalf frankly
admitted that he was correctly quot
ed. and that the views he aired in the
interview he had held for 20 years.
and the secretary. as we'll rs many
navy officers, were aware of them long
ago. Admiral McCalla's statement
struck directly home to Mr.. Metcalf,
for he pointed out reasons why the
head OF 1he navy department should
be trained and experienced naval
| officer OF the highest grade. He also
| expressed his dissatisfaction with the
present bureau system OF the navy,
| agreeing to q considerable extent
With the Reuterdahl magazine arti-
Gle. which has stirred up such n fuss
In naval and official circles generally.
| Tho admiral stated that he said
nothing that he would hesitate to say
officially, and, In fact, tho statements
were to II considerable extent reltera-
lions of recommendations he had
made at various times in his official
capacity while still Oh the active list.
| Admiral McCalla saw no reason why
American naval officers should not be
granted the same freedom of public
expression of opinion as Is granted
officers OF the British navy, provided
their name always appears In con-
/ tunrttAn uslth fhn ctntnyuantg
No Court Martial to Follow.
As predicted. when the announce
ment was made that these three rear
admirals had been called upon TO con-
firm or deny the interviews, there
will DO no court martial. Admirals
Goodrich and Melville gavo q salts
factory denial. and II was thought that
Admiral McCalla would do likewise.
His frank admission was a surprise
to Secretary Metca,f. Still, he Will
not be court martialed.
ny calling upon Admiral McCalla
for an explanation Secretary Metcalf
indicated his displeasurc over the in
terview. Now. since its authenticity
has been admitted. II Is stated that
there viii be no further action, al-
Though Secretary Metcalf does not
personally agree with all the views
Expressed. The secretary Is still in
favor OF n civilian being secretary OF
the navy. and will not take any steps
10 have carried out the change recon-
mended by the admiral. The secre-
tary sees no "lese majestic" In this
statement, since he now holds that. an
officer should be allowed TO EXPRESS
his views over his own name.
| Contrary to Preodent's letter.
! This Is entirely contrary to the
terms OF the Presidents letter of jan
uary .. in which he denounced the
action OF Admiral Brownson resign
ing his Office of Chief OF the Bureau
OF Navigation. There are on Ale in
the navy department several orders
and letters from the White House, IN
which the President makes plain that
officers have no right TO either criu-
else or praise--they absolutely must
not discuss affairs OF the navy, either
In confidence or for publication.
Views had been expressed in Off
cial circles that IL was hoped all
three of tho rear admirals would re-
pudiate the interviews. and thus ere
alto the impression that all such in
terviews. as we'll IA newspapers and
magazine articles. crlticlsing the navy
| are unreliable. and also IN order TO
avoid the necessity OF finding way
to keep from ordering court-martiaf
OF the officers. According to Presi-
dent Roosevelt's letter OF January Q.
each OF the three officers was reported
as saying things which would make
them open for court martial proceed
ings. On the other hand, all three
of the officers have a strong following
| In (sou pr-acc ond .tha,..>. uaa Na.~ t.,f