The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-07-21
|NO WARSHP
FOR REGATTA
Senator NitcL'cll and Secretary Of
the Navy Herbert on the
Subject
THE SHIPS OF OTHER NATIONS
Mater Carnival NIL Take Place Just de
Sane and II Will BE the Best 0ne
Ever held, Even II Var Ships
Csnnot be Here.

The regatta committees report In
vorRble progress and that Bubscrip-
iions are stili coming In llberally. II
has been arranged by the Press Aero
ciation Of oregon TO hold their an
nTai meeting In oregon during regatta
week. II has also been suggested that
upon the last night of the regatta
water carnival. including a procession
OF steamers and boats. illuminated by
fireworks. be held along the city wa
ter front. THIS event can be brought
on at very little expense and would
certainly De one of the most interest
ing features OF the week. II might be
amplited In many different directions.
including a representation OF a naval
battle II IL understood that the COM
mitiec viii take this subject up nj
once. II Is TO be regretted that there
Is now little prospect Of securing a
United States war vessel IN this har-
Dor during the regatta week aH the
letters below explain. There II, how
ever. hope that other war vessels may
visit this port az this time. Dr. NJ.
~ Walker yesterday received letter
from Mr. Irving ~ Scott. one Of the
builders Of the oregon, explaining
that while that vessel was In commits
sion. she was still short 40 men, and
had as yet received none OF her sup
plies He thought that II would take
until about the first Of September 10
properly ~ her out and drill the men.
Tho doctor also received letter from
the French ylce-consul at San Fran
cisco stating that he would use his
best efforts 10 secure a French war
vessel for Astorla's regatta There In
prospect also Of securing a British
war vessel.
Washington. d. c.. July II. 1896
Hon. c. H. Page. Collector Of Gus
toms, Astoria. oregon:-
My Dear Judge: | came TO wash
ington mainly for the purpose OF en-
deayoring TO get the secretary OF the
navy 20 order the battleship oregon.
or II not that ship. some other war
vessel to Astoria during the regatta.
but sincerely regret have been un-
able TO accomplish my purpose, as you
viii see from the inclosed copy OF let
ter.
Very much regrettlng / have been
unable TO comply with your wishes
and the wishes OF the people OF As
torla and OF oregon generally. am.
Yours very sincerely,
JOHN II. MITCHELL.
Washington, July IS. 1886.
Sir; Replying TO a telegram dated
the 9Th instant. addressed TO you by
Mr c. II. Page. forwarded by YOU this
date 90 the department requesting the
presence OF the battleshlp oregon at
the annual regatta to be had in Asto-
ria from the 18th TO the 3Oth OF August
next. have 20 inform you that the
Oregon will not be placed in commits
sion until the 18th OF the present
month. and that. consequently. II will
not be practicable for her TO go to
Astoria at the date requested. consid-
erable time being necessary, when a
vessel Is first commissioned. TO get her
ready for sea service.
l. In June last. ordered the COM
mander-in-chief OF the Pacific station
to assemble all the vessels OF his COM
mand. at an early date. for squadron
exercises. and assured him l would
not interfere with his plans by de-
failing any vessel to take part In cele-
brations, Experience has shown that
II one request of this nature is COM
piled with. other cities Immediately
forward similar petitions, and, as II is
impossible 10 discriminate the entire
season passes without the mRnoevers
so essential for naval efficiency taking
place. have. therefore. been obliged
to decline complying with these re-
quests, Very respectfully.
tSlgnedl II, a, HERBERT.
Secretary
Hon. John II. Mitchell. L. S, Senate,
Washington, d. c,