The Washington herald., 1914-05-03
Rear Admiral Mayo Entitled
to Praise for Splendid Work
Sketch of Able American, Who Gave Huerta Lesson
in International Ethics

called. to the Secretary OF the Navy. and
tney occupy very important, responsible
ana lnnuential Positions. They are the
Secretary OF the Nays cabinet and
were Instituted under the REORGANIZATION
effected by George Won L. Aeyer When
he held the naval portfolio, mainly for
the purpose Of overcoming the power of
the chiefs OF naval bureaus who held
their offices by statutory authority. Mr.
Daniels was SO impressed with the hixh
qualifications of Capt. Mayo that he an
pointed him to take charge of the per-
scnnel branch of the work assigned TO
the so-called aids.
However. Mayo. promoted last year to
the rank of rear admiral. did not want
to remain on duty In the Navy Depart-
ment. He was anxious to get to sea and
''1y his nag" as the saying Is in the
service. In preparation for a flag corn-
mand he went TO the Naval War College
at Newport in November. 1913, for a course
OF study and had been there hardly sfx
weeks when. on December 1s.he received
his commission as rear admiral. and only
few days later was assigned by secr.
tary Daniels to take command Of the
fourth division of the Atlantic Fleet. then
In Mexican waters.
This assignment was intended as an
expression of the great confidence that
Mr.. Daniels has in his ability and gen
eral standing. The present Secretary OF
the Navy was looking for good men to
take responsible positions with the feet
In protecting American interests on the
coast of Mexico
And this confidence was thus shown
almost the moment Mayo became a rear
admiral. and has been thoroughly justi-
hed-how. all the world now knows
Mention ~ So
Admiral Mayo had already done the
American people while at Tampico that
Is not generally known:
Looked Ont for Contingencies.
The confidence felt in Admiral Mayo
was confirmed very recently. when he
served notice on the battling federaIs
and constitutionalists at Tampico that
he had created a neutral zone ashore
and would be very much pleased indeed
II they would go elsewhere when they
wanted to shoot at each other. Within
the zone was much valuable property
belonging to American citizens and Brit
ish subjects. and through Admiral Mayos
action. for his directions were observed
by the combatants this property was
saved from destruction"
When Admiral Dewey was in Manila
Bay. he stopped all communication be-
tween the islands and the rest Of the
world. because he wished. so rumor says
to take the whole responsibility upon
himself and trust in his superior knowI-
edge Of the situation. OF Admiral Mayo's
conduct We read:
Admiral Mayo did not cut the tele-
graph cable. but he did something tha:
required equal forcefuI decision When
he learned that an officer and some en-
listed men from one of his ships had
suffered an indignity at the hands II
Mexican soldiers ashore at Tampico he
did not communicate with any superior
officer or with Washington before TAX
ing the action that he deemed necessary.
He acted first and communicated after
ward"
In personality, we learn, the admiral
combines the qualities OF a strict dis
ciplinarian with those of. friendliness and
geniality. Though he is forcefuI. he IS
still quiet. modest, and unassuming A
description OF his appearance il given:
Admiral Mayo is neither big nor little
physically. He Is a happy medium so
far as size is concerned. His sandy hair
is accompanied. as is generally the case.
by eyes Of deep blue, and his mouth
is firm. the jaw frm-set and determined.
the nose prominent. and his manner Of
speaking always deliberate and positive
to a degree that sometimes creates on
strangers the impression that he il more
or less puritaniCal and fiint-hearted. But
as a matter Of fact the admiral is one
Of the biggest-hearted men in the navy
and among its officers one Of the most
popular.
Like Admiral Fletcher, Admiral Mayo il
man who dislikes publicity. and he
does not go in for long sketches in bio
graphical cyclopedias- He is a plain.
everyday American sailor, who knows
his business and lets it go at that
Admiral Mayo" said Lieut. Comman-
der Howe. OF the Louisiana, few days
ago. ''impresses you the moment he
speaks to you as a man of business and
bread type in him. He does what he
thinks is right. and as a rule he does
not lose lot of time doing II. and he
never bubbles OF hesitates once he makes
up his mind what the right course is TO
pursue
hint of prophecy that we are TO
hear more Of this seaman later on is
contained in the concluding paragraphs
of the article:
when he became a midshipman at the
United States Navay Academy at An.
napolis. Through entering the academy
so young and being graduated within the
shortest period possible. he was able to
reach his present rank at an earlier ag,
than most officers. He Is the baby Of
his rank in the naval service. He has
still more than four years to serve on the
active list 1t is dollars to doughnuts
that II Congress enacts the proposed law
enabling the President to designate a
limited number OF fag-oficers as vice
admirals. Mayo will get one Of the prizes
on account Of his conduct In the Tamp,co
incident. even II the trouble with Mexico
does not develop proportions that will
give him greater opportunity for tho
display Of his genius as a feet comnan-
Digest.