New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-31
Winterhalter
MayCommand
Atlantic Fleet
Daniels Favors Naming Him
to Succeed Admiral
Mayo
Navy Reused by
Talk Of Change
Recalls Pro-Germanism Be
fore Break and Opposition
to Preparedness
By c. w. Gilbert

Washington, May 30.-A man of no
toriously pro-German sentiments up
till just before this country's declara-
ton of war against Germany is likely
to succeed Admiral Mayo in command
of the Atlantic feet.
The Atlantic feet is our main battle
feet. Admiral Winterhslter is the Ia
vorite who is under consideration for
this important post at this critical mo-
ment in the country's history.
Admiral Mayo probably will be re-
tired, not because any fault is found
with him--he is an unusually efhcient
feet executive-but because he has had
a long term of sea duty and normally
would soon return to the land. There
is nothing, however, in the law TO pre-
vent Secretary Daniels from continu-
ing him IN his present command as
long as the war lasts.
The entire navy is aware that he is
likely to be retired in favor of Admiral
Winterhalter and is full of consterna-
ton at the prospect. For a variety OF
reasons no more disorganizing thing
could be done than to make the change
Mr.. Daniels has in contemplation.
Pro.Germanism Recalled
No one accuses Admiral Winterhal-
ter now Of pro-Germanism. He Is
doubtless as loyal an officer as any IN
the navy, but the objection is raised
that a man of his connection. sssocia-
tions and previous views might we'll
be the last man chosen Of the many
who are available for the important
post Of Atlantic feet commander IN a
war against Germany.
Admiral Winterhalter's views before
our declaration of war were natural
enough in a man of his descent and
they evinced themselves in various
ways and are we'll lEown in navy cir
cles. How they affected some Of our
allies who came in contact with them
may perhaps be best illustrated by the
following incident, which occurred
either in Hong Kong or Shanghai.
English Club Cool to the Commander
II, the early months of the European
war Admiral Winterhalter was In
command of the American fleet in
Asiatic waters. 1t is the custom there,
as in other parts of the world, to ex-
tend the courtesy of the clubs ashore
to visiting naval officers. In a Chi
nese port the English and the German
clubs were open to officers of the
American feet. OF course, it was
hardly expected that American officers
would use both and thus come alter
nately in contact with enemies. Ad-
miral Winterhater went TO the Ger
man club so much, and yet not ex-
clusively, that word had to be con-
veyed generally to officers of the
American fleet that he would not be
wclcome at the English club.
On the purely naval side also Ad-
miral Winterhalter's appointment
would be unfortunate. The navy does
not share Secretary Daniels's views Of
hi, favorite's professional attainments.
Ard. moreover, the admiraps name re-
wives the bitter controversies of the
early months of the Secretary's in
cumbancy. and these controversies
ought emphatically not to be revived
when we are entering upon great
war. They marked one OF the dark
est hours of the navy's history.
Winterhalter and Fiske
In that controversy Winterhalter
was the counter foil of Fiske. Fiske
for the part he played became the hero
of the navy. Admiral Winterhalter-
we'll. Admiral Winterhslter didn't. He
became instead the hero OF Daniels.
Fiske was aid for operations. Win
terhalter was aid for materiel. Fiske
worried Daniels and made him un-
happy. Winterhalter smoothed his
wav for him and made him happy.
Fiske pertinaciously kept reminding
Daniels that the navy was hghting
machine. Daniels thought IL was any
thing but that, rather a sociological
experiment. Winterhal.er thought 1t
was anything Daniels thought it was:
When the General Board troubled
Daniels Winterhalter went over to the
General Board and sustained Dsnielss
net idea OF neglecting preparation
while saving sailors souls or improy-
ing their social position. Winterhalt-
or voted steadily and Systematically
against the General Boards prepared
ness programmes. lie was little
navy man
Not Popular in Navy
Ubea il was all over Fiske was more
~ loss rusticated and Winterhslter
vent IN swiftly from a captains posi-
tion to a full admiral's JOB at the head
~ the Asiatic feet. In q word, Winter
bslter ia what Fiske was not, q diplo-
MAJ, and used his diplomacy in ways
the navy despised. Daniels loved him
ard the navy loved him not
Like all diplomats, Winterhalter Is Of
the cautious rather than the fighting
trne II is recorded Of him that be was
crre charged with spending several
,housaud dollars a year in pilots fees
orterirg a port where no other navy
csntain ever thought Of using pilots
seivices. let Mr. Daniels admires him
and honestly believes him 10 be the
MOS, brilliant officer in the navy. II
his name were Smith, Jones or Robin
son his appointment would probably be
Sortheoming tomorrow. But that Ger
man patronymic is calling forth some