The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-12-28
A Line On Men
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REAR ADMIRAL VICTOR BLUE.

Rear Admiral Victor Blue, Spanish
war hero, who was promoted from cap
tain rank on Dec. ., and appointed
chief OF the bureau Of navigation, az
sumes his duties with Il record Of
achievement.
lie was commanding officer Of the
United States superdreadnouEht Texas
when Secretary Daniels recommended
him for promotion,
He will succeed Rear Admiral Leigh
G. Palmer, who recently was relieved
for duty at sea,
Rear Admiral Blue was chief Of the
bureau Of navigation from 1913 until
1916, when he applied for sea duty. He
served with credit as chief Of the bu-
reau and promulgated many reforms for
the upkeep Of the personnel Of the navy.
He fought staguattOn in promotion and
was at swords points with the small
navy men In the senate throughout the
tenure Of his office.
The promotion OF Rear Admiral Blu
followed after he had been brought up
before a general COurt-marttal and re-
duced ten numbers for having run the
Texas aground while cruising in home
waters. The original sentence pro-
bounced called for Il reduction OF 20
numbers.
Rear Admiral Blue first won fame In
tho spanish AmeriCan war. He was as.
signed to duty on board the converted
cruiser SuwaneO and took part in the
blockade of Santiago, Admiral Samp-
son knew that the Spanish fleet was In
Santiago harbor, but It was rumOred
that part of the fleet. including some Of
the most powerful cruisers, was abroad.
Transports were held at Key West
while the navy officials Vainly sought
some confirmation of this rumor, 1t
was necessary to transport the army
TO Cuba, but this could not be done
with Spanish warships at large.
The greater number OF our hattleships
were cruising in Cuban waters and
most of them off Santiago, Rear Ad-
miral, then lieutenant, Blue went
ashore, and lodging Spanish cavalry
he and his Cuban guide went In the
rear Of the harhor and there counted
the Spanish ships,
He rode back through the Cuban jun
giles, often leaving the beaten trail as
he heard horsemen approaching, Time
and again the Spaniards passed within
n few yards OF him, but he managed to
escape detection, He finally won his
way back to the coast, whore he was
picked up and carried to his ship,
He made n full report of what he
had seen The troopships were ordered
to proceed to Cuba. For this service
Blue was promoted from the rank OF
Junior grade lieutenant to senior grade
and won two fun stripes,
While cruising back and forth II
front of Santiago the American flee
was annoyed by n fort that took pot
shots ut them any time they approached
within range, ono day after a bonn.
bardment Lieut.. Blue asked for permits.
sion to knock down the forts flag, il
was granted, conditional upon accom-
nlishment in three shots, The staff ant
flag tumbled at the third shot,
When the peace protocol was signed
bringing the wal with Spain to an end
The citizens Of South Carolina ordered
a medal struck off and presented t
their hero. Honors were heaped upol
him throughout the land,
A vast deal OF comment and criticism
| was caused by the appointment Of Rca'
Admiral Blue to the post Of chief o
navigation In 1918. At that time h
ranked as a commander. The rank o
rear admiral automatically attaches 1t
self to the office OF chief OF the bureau
Men who outranked blue on the sea oh
ieCted to his authority as chief OF tn
bureau to assign them to duty. A com
promise was effected covering thi
} point, but the appointment stood a
made.
In 1914, following the Mexican al
fair, Blue made n report dcploring con
ditions in the navy. He pointed ou
A the peril In the lack Of officers. He de
q clared that many of the officers In III
q navy remained iicutenants for yeaI
i until they were almost ready I
- be retired. He showed how ensigu
were assigned to posts that should hay
d been held by higher officers, and wage
g a war on general ~stagnation in promo
ton.