The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-01-16
NAVY OFFICERS
|D|5OWN ADMIRAL
Commander-in-C Chief of Pacific
Squadron Retires After
Stories About Morality.
HTS STAFF SUGGESTED HE
BE SENT LOADED PISTOL
Denies He Is Forced to Go, but
Says He Is Preventing
Naval Scandal.

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 15.-Because
q stories which reflect upon his moral
chsracter, Rear Admiral Edward B
Barry has asked for retirement. AL,
khough the application gave as a rea.
son that he had served forty years and
thsrefore was entitled to retirement, Al.
miral Barry admitted today that in re-
tring he might save the navy from a
8canda,
according TO reports published here. the
admiral sent his request for relief 10
Washington following conference with
the staff and line officers on board the
Vest Virginia, Tuesday night.
At this conference, IL is reported. the
susgestion was made that a loaded re-
roiyer be sent 10 the admiraFs cabin,
but this suggestion was lost on vote.
The officers present then took an oath
of silence on condition that Admiral
Barry forward his resignation to Wash
Ington at once. Instead of resigning,
The admiral merely requested retirement.
after the fact became known, the sub
iect matter of the conference leaked out
Until all the sailors OF the fleet were
<elkfng.
Prosecutor Investigates.
Admiral Thomas held a conference with
district Attorney Fickert shortly after he
8rriveo, but no definite course OF action
vas decided upon. Mr.. Fickert said:
-My Office is investigating the stories
r6garding Admiral Barry. but l am not
prepared to say what action we shall
lake. Even In case Of an offense. COM
mltted within San Francisco bay, there
is question as 10 whether the county
cpurts would have jurisdiction, l have
consulted with Admiral Thomas but
there is nothing definite TO say at this
line"
Rear Admiral Chauncey NJ Thomas.
OF the second squadron OF
}1egship, the California, this afternoon.
after a hurried trip from Santa Bar
lara.
admiral Thomas at once relieved
Rear Admiral Edward B: Barry as COM
handler IN chief of the Pacific fleet, in
pursuance OF orders received yesterday
rom the navy department.
Saves Navy Scandal.
Admiral Barry said: ''It is not true
hat ! have been forced TO retire. The
nan who is irlumphantly vindicated
under such circumstances is almost as
much q loser as il the charges were
proved TO be true. i believe that by
immediate retirement l can
ave the navy a scandal
h WASHINGTON. Jan. 15-Beekman
assistant secretary of the navy.
safd tonight that the navy department was
not aware OF any embarrassment in con-
lection with Resr Admiral Barry's ap-
proved by Secretary Meyer and referred
90 the president last Friday. He said so
Tar as he knew that Admiral Barry's re-
quest for retirement was based upon the
law which grants this privilege TO naval
onicefs who have served forty years.
kear Admiral Barry has been In the navy
lorty-fve years. Mr., Winthrop added
<hat no information was at hand that his
fetirement has been forced by his line
Rear Admiral Barry is native of
rev York and Is g. years old. He was
recently authorized TO get into comrnu-
nicefion with Glenn Curtiss and the avia-
non committee Of San Francisco for the
purpose OF conducting interesting avia-
non experiments with Werships. He en-
tered the navy in 1865 and saw twenty
eiEht years Of service at sea. He has
peen in command of various vessels and
Took part in the South Atlantic and Gu
pan blockade in 1893. He was present
" the attack on Matanzas. Cuba, and at
f,once. Porto Rico He was supervisor
oi the naval auxiliary service from 1908
70 1909. when he was appointed COM
5pander OF the second division OF the
r,ncific fleet. He is d member Of the
university club Of New York and of the
Arny and Navy club of Washington