Fleet For Nicholson.

New York Times 100 years ago today, July 21, 1912:
Rear Admiral at Last in command of the Asiatic Warships.
Special in The New York Times.
    WASHINGTON, July 20.— Orders were issued to-day directing Rear Admiral Reginald F. Nicholson to relieve Rear Admiral Joseph B. Murdock of command of the Asiatic fleet. Admiral Nicholson was to have assumed command of the fleet last November, but Secretary Knox desired Admiral Murdock to continue in command while tge condition of affairs in China was so unsettled.
    In the meantime Secretary Meyer found the programme for advancements in the Navy Department called for the appointment of his choice for Chief of the Bureau of Navigation, and he named Commander Andrews to be Chief of Navigation. This left Nicholson hanging by the eyelids. He had been picked for command of Murdoch's fleet, but Murdock must stay, and Andrews, eager to begin the job of being an Admiral, was knocking at his door.
    The President sent tor Nicholson and told him that it was certainly a vexing situation, but to be patient and all would be well in the course of time. Nicholson went to the Asiatic Station and was assigned to command the China squadron. In February last another effort was made to allow Murdock to come home and put Nicholson in command, but again the State Department asked to have Murdock kept at his post, although China was apparently quiet and there was no good reason why Nicholson would not handle any emergency wisely and well.
    Now, nearly a year after his first designation for the post, Admiral Nicholson actually takes command of the Asiatic fleet. Admiral Murdock will be put on important board duty in Washington until his retirement for age next February.