Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-07
A WIG ROUS POLICY
The United States Fleet in Chinese Waters
to Be Increased.
Interests to he Protected
Other ships May lie Sent.

Efforts are being made to secure strong
and rapid reinforcement Of the United States
naval fleet in Asatic waters for the better
protection of American interests In that
quarter Of the globe during the continuance
Of hostilities between China and Japan, with
the possibility Of participation by other and
more powerful countries. At present only
the Baltimore and Monocacy are on the
China station. The former is at Chemulpo,
the seaport Of Seoul, and the latter is at
Nagasaki The Concord and Petrol are on
the way to Corea, where they are expected
to arrive in about three weeks AS Ameri-
can commercial interests in the east are so
diversified, being of Importance in China,
Japan and Corea, 1t is thought that these
four vessels are not enough to properly per-
form the services required.
Vigorous Plan of Action.
According to current belief the admins
tration has determined upon a vigorous
plan of action for the protection cf Ameri-
can interests in the orient, and It is re-
ported that other ships are to be dispatched
to the Asiatic station soon as they can
be got ready. The first vessel to be utilized
according to naval gossip, Is the Charleston,
now at Mare Island, California. She has
been thoroughly overhauled since her Cruise
around the Horn and Is In frst-class con-
make short stop at Honolulu en- route.
II Will take her about forty days to reach
her reported destination. 1t is thought
that her presence in Chinese waters will
nave good moral influence at this time.
10 anord protection to the missionaries
who may require an asylum in case of
fanatic outbreaks by the Chinese will be
one Of her special duties.
The Newark to Go to China.
Another vessel said to be destined to
Chinese waters is the Newark, now nearing
cape Town. with Admiral Kirkland on
board. At this place the ship will be speed
lily drydocked. AS soon as Admirai Kirk
land reports the cruiser In readiness for
further services. 1t is said, she vilI be dis
Pateheo TO Japan. Cape Town In less than
o,Uo niles from Nagasaki, and the Newark
Streaming at the rate of ten knots an hour
ought TO cover the distance In about thirty-
hve days. When the Newark leaves Cane
nown the San Francisco viii be ordered to
MO Janeiro as the agship of the South
Athntlc station. By the addition of these
Two vessels the strength of the Asiatic
squadron will be raised to three efficient
cruisers, two handy gunboats, especially de-
ship. '''e i'eei
Other Ships to BE Got Ready.
Inc Chinese fleet will be further aug
mented as circumstances require. The Ra-
'S'' "o" at the ->oTfOik navy yard, Is
nearly ready for sea. Ten DAYS more will
De sufhcient TO complete her remaining ord
nance work. If ordered 10 the China sta
ton she will go by way of the Suez canal
The same may be said of the Cincinnati
Eow undergoing completion at the New
YORK navy yard Three weeks from TODAY
II IL said at the Navy Department, she
could start for Shanghai or Nagasakt. The
Castine and Machias also Will soon be
ready for a cruise. The intention all along
has been to send these two gunboats to
China FOR river service more especially, and
In view of the present situation in the east
1t is probable that their departure will be
hastened as much as practicable. Within
thirty days the Philadelphia's repairs will
be finished. and she, too will be available
Tor orders to the east. Some of her boilers
require retubing and her bottom needs
scraping and painting. The work is to be
done at Mare Island Other vessels that
may be sent to China in case of necessity
ton. The first named is one OF the Berlng
sea patrol fleet, and the Bennington is due
at San Francisco in day or two with the
EZeta refugees from Salvador.
Exaggerated Reports Circulated.
The reports regarding a strong reinforce
ment of the Asiatic squadron are in general
circulation. but are undoubtedly much ex-
aggerated. 1t is said in weli-informed naval
circles that no more than two additional
that If even that many are ordered there
the selection is more likely to fall on the
Charleston and the Yorktown than on any
of the others named