The state herald., 1914-05-01

war was lieutenant and had at
tracted attention by his knowledge Of
ordnance.
After the war he was relieved Of
desk work at Washington and ordered
to sea. In March, 1904. he was pro-
NOTED to the rank of commander after
having served as commanding officer
of the gunboats Kanawaha and Eagle.
Soon after this promotion he was
OF the torpedo station at Newport.
where he served until March IS. 1905
When he again went to sea It was
as chief of stan OF the Asiatic fleet,
which position he gave up to take
command Of the cruiser Raleigh. After
two more years at sea he was ordered
to the naval war college at Newport.
and later he became a member OF the
special ordnance board.
In 1908 he was made a captain and
given command OF the battleship Yer.
mont. After leaving the Vermont he
became an aid on the stan OF Secre-
tary of the Navy George Won l.. Meyer.
II was during this service In October.
1911, that he achieved nag rank"
May Succeed Badger.
Admiral Fletcher is regarded as a
probable successor OF Rear Admiral
Badger as commander In chief OF the
Atlantic fleet, promotion that will
carry with II the honor OF command.
ing the great United States fleet that
will be the first to pass through the
Panama canal when the waterway is
opened to the ships OF the world In
1915.
II was Immediately following the
assassination OF President Madero
that Admiral Fletcher was ordered to
Mexican waters.
Enters Harbor In "Norther."
II win be recalled that Admiral
Fletcher In his first cablegram record.
ing the seizing OF the custom house at
Vera Cruz said that he commenced
operations In the face OF an approach.
ing "norther."
The following extract from a navy
textbook on navigation may explain
why Admiral Fletcher acted without
undue delay in carrying out President
Wilson's orders:
ITO attempt to run into the harbor
Vera Cruz in a 'norther' is extreme.
ly perilous. for II blows more power.
fully within than without the shoals
No confidence can be placed In an.
chors and no assistance can be given
from the shore In case OF accident"
Admiral Fletcher when not Mt sea
resides at Ifii Massachusetts avenue.
Washington. He married Miss Susan
Hunt stetson In 1895. He In n mem.
Der OF the Chevy Chase and the Army
and Navy clubs In Washington.
How Seizure Order Was Given.
washington.-Th story OF how
President Wilson ordered the custom.
house at Vera Cruz TO be seized has
been revealed.
The president had gone to bed Mon.
day night after having read his mes.
sage to congress. The senate was de.
batting the Joint resolution to approve
the use OF the army and navy. and the
president had determined TO withhold
action until the resolution passed. nj.
though feeling that In an emergency
the executive had ample authority to
act
Al 4 O'Clock Tuesday morning Sec.
rctary Bryan received n cnblcgram
from Consul Canada telling Of the mp.
pronch OF a German vessel with q
tremendous cargo OF ammunition for
Huerta.
A number OF locomotives and many
cars were In readiness TO rush the
arms TO Mexico City.
Mr.. Bryan tclcphoned Secretary Tu.
multy. who decided 10 awaken tho
president He teicphoned tho White
House. The servants were tlmid. bn,
Tumuity insisted. Finally tho prcti
don't came TO the telephone. and while
Secretary Tumulty was explaining tho
situation Secretary Daniels called up
and was put on the same line
He. too had n dispatch about tho
ammunition. Rear Admiral Fletcher
had sent u wireless tina, 100000
rounds Of ammunition and $50 ma
chine guns would be landed from the
German vessel by noon tina. day.
The president listened In silence.