Evening star., 1909-03-04
SpERRY Wins HIGH PRAISE
SCHROEDER TO COMMAND AT
LANTIC BATTLEsHIP FLEET.

Formal orders have been issued at the
Navy Department detachng Rear Ad
mral Sperry from the command of the
Atlantic fleet and assigning Rear Admiral
Schroeder to succeed him. Rear Admiral
Wainwright has been ordered to command
the third division, second squadron of
the fleet.
Rear Admiral c. S. Sperry will re-
lnuuish command of the feet on the
arrival of his flagship, the Connecticut,
at New York next Monday. He will be
relieved of command on that date by Rear
Admiral Seaton Schroeder, now command
ing the third division of the fleet. Under
date of February ~ President Roosevelt
wrote TO Admiral Sperry expressing his
hearty approval of the manner in which
he commanded the fleet.
Commended by the President.
''You have" wrote the President,
brought it from our home coast on the
Pacific westward around the world to
our home coast on the Atlantic. Not a
ship has had a scratch. The whole fleet is
more efficient than when it started. You
have kept the ships, separately and to-
gether, so we'll exercised that they have
increased their efficiency in gunnery and
increased their efficiency in technical
maneuvering. Moreover, you have shown
real ability of an unusual kind in the
have represented this nation. 1t was, in
effect, on one side Il great diplomatic mis-
sion. In addition i want heartily to COM
mend what you did on the national coast
defense board in 1905, where the work
was of the very greatest Importance. |
also congratulate you upon the dis
tinguished part you played. especially in
connection with the work done in the dis
cussion of maritime law, in the second
peace congress at The Hague in 1907. In
short. during admin
ton has been such as to reflect honor
upon the entire naval service.
Letter From the Secretary.
In transmitting this letter to Admiral
Sperry, Secretary Newberry said he de-
sired to add the. departments unqualified
approval of the efficient and seamanlike
manner in which he administered the af-
fairs of the fleet.
The fact" says Mr. Newberry. thai
the cruise of the battleship fleet from
San Francisco to Hampton roads was a
complete success reflects not only great
credit upon you as chief,
but upon the United States Navy as
we'll"
Admiral Sperry replied that he was pro-
foundly gratif1ed at these expressions of
appreciation.
No officer said he could desire A
higher reward than such commendation
and certainly such results would have
been Impossible except for the unhesitat-
ing and constant support of the depart
ment and the ceaseless and loyal vigilance
in the performance of duty of the officers
and men of the fleet
Appointments Now Pending.
Rear Admiral William T. Potter will
succeed TO the command of the second
division and Rear Admiral f., B. Barry
will succeed to the command of the fourt n
division.
! The impression prevails i'll naval circles
that Rear Admiral Schroeder will be de-
tailed to some important assignment in
this city, probably chief of the bureau
of navigation in the early summer and
| that he will be succeeded as commander
in-chief Of the Atlantic fleet by Rear Ad-
miral Richard Wainwright.
Capt. Hugo OsterhauS command 'ng the
| battleship Connecticut, has been selected
subject 10 the approval of the incoming
Secretary of the Navy. a. superintendent
of the United States Naval Academy at
i Annapolis. as the successor OF Capt.
| Charles T. Badger. who is sa ted for the
command of the battleship Connecticut.
I If present pans confirmed these
changes will take effect about the LIST of
/ July. before the beginning OF the next
| term at the academy.