Evening capital and Maryland gazette., 1918-11-30
HALF OF u. S. NAVY
SOON WILL Be SENT
TO THE PACIFIC OCEAN
Reorganization Indicated BY Mr..
Daniels In Announcing Ad-
miral Sims Promotion
ADMIRAL GLEAVES TO BE
MADE VICE ADMIRAL
No Change In Assignment Will
Accompany The Advance
ment

With the passing of German sea
power, the impeliing strategic reason
for keeping the main strength of the
American navy massed in the Atlantic
ocean no longer exists. Naval officers
here anticipate, therefore, that the
fleet will be divided when the war
emergency has passed, and substan-
TALLY one-half of the main fighting
strength of the navy go into a reor-
ganized Pacific fleet.
Josephus Daniels, Secretary of the
Navy has indicated that a general re-
arrangement of the fighting ships was
to be expected He gave no inkling of
what is under consideration, however,
his statement having been brought out
by questions when he announced that
Vice Admiral Sims, commanding
American naval forces in European
waters, would be nominated to the
rank of admiral when Admiral Knight,
commanding the Asiatic fleet, retires
next month. Rear Admiral Gleaves,
commanding the conveying forces,
will be named by President Wilson
created. No change in assignments
will accompany the promotions which
will be made for merit.
There are indications about the de-
partment that arrangements are al
ready afoot for reyiving old European
squadron. With the increased respon-
sibilities of the United States in
Europe due to the war and the ex-
panding merchant marine, it is re-
garded as probable that a definite
naval force will be maintained in
European waters hereafter, and it is
possible that steps may be taken to-
ward establishing limited base facil-
tiles for the upkeep of the force.
Rear Admiral w. l.. Rodgers sue
ceeds to the command of the Asiatic
fleet, relieving Admiral knight, who
already has started for home.
The law creating the grades of ad-
miral and vice admiral contemplates
that they shall be filled by command
ers in chief of fleets and their sec
onds in command. This course is fol-
lowed in peace times, but the navy
still is on war footing, permitting
deviation from the regular order. Ad-
miral Rodgers, therefore, retains his
rank of rear admiral upon taking
command of the Asiatic fleet.
The work of Rear Admiral Albert
Gleaves, for which he is to be pro-
NOTED to be vice admiral, was of
such necessary secrecy that little has
been published concerning it,
From his Office in the Steneck Build
ing, Hoboken, Admiral Gleaves di-
rected the movements of Americas
armada of cruisers and destroyers that
conveyed in safety the men and mu-
nitions this country contributed to
victory. He is reputed to be one of
the greatest navigators in the world
He commanded in person the convoy
ing of the first expeditionary force in
June, 1917, sending back the good,
news of successful fights against sub
marines to Mr.. Daniels. Secretary of
the Navy, in time for general publica-
ton on the eve of independence
Day.
IL WdS uOl HIS HTSl uie6lluS Mllu
submarines. for in October, 1916, he
commanded the fotilla of destroyers
which rescued the passengers and
crews of the vessels torpedoed off
Nantucket He was the first flag off,
Ger 20 command destroyer fiotilla
AS lieutenant commander he dis
covered greatest depth in the North
Atlantic Ocean. For this he was
awarded the cross and diploma of the
Legion of Honor, but acceptance of
the French decoration was not au-
thorized by Congress. From 1912 to
1914 Admiral Gleaves commanded the
New York Navy Yard. In 1908, when
in charge of the torpedo station at
Newport, r. /. he built the first gov
ernment torpedo factory.
Admiral Gleaves was born in Nash
vile, Tenn, January l, 1858. He was
graduated from the Naval Academy
when % years old. He was promoted
at intervals of from four to seven
years until 1915, when he became rear
admiral. He commanded the torpedo
boat Cushing during the Spanish
American war
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