The Washington times., 1902-06-15
At Request Of President
WlIlConmand Big Fleet
in West Indies.
IN THE FALL MANEUVERS
Hero OF Manila Enthusiastic Over Pro
posed Movements-Will Probably Sc
lect the Olympia as His Flagship.

Moody, Admiral Dewey has consented
to take command OF the big feet which
Will engage in maneuvers in the West
Indies next winter.
The President and the Secretary of
the Navy regard it as appropriate that
an officer of high rank should have
charge of the feet. and they We're graf
flied over the enthusiastic interest
shown by Admiral Dewey when it was
suggested to him that he go to sea
again.
The fleet Will be the largest ever as
sembled by the United States in time
of peace. 1t will consist Of the North
Atlantic Squadron. the European Squad
ron and the South Atlantic Squadron,
with 4 torpedo boat fotilla and ueces-
sary colliers, provision ships. hospital
ship. a repair ship. a distilling ship and
water barges. There VIII be four divi-
sions, commanded by Rear Admirals f.
J. Higginson, c. w. Sumner, \. S.
Crowninshield and J. B. Coghlan.
President May Attend.
President Roosevelt is very anxious
to attend these maneuvers. and has said
so to those with whom he has talked
on the subject. If he can possibly wit
ness them he will do so. He has had
the matter of going under considera-
tion. but the time when they will begin
is so far away that he will postpone his
decision until just before the maneuv-
ers are begun. Congress will be in
session then, and this may prevent the
President from leaving Washington
No President of the United States has
ever been beyond the limits during his
term OF office, except on occasions when
Grover Cleveland went some distance
out to sea on a cruise on E. c. Bene-
diets yacht. When President Harrison
was at Ell Paso, Tex, in April, 1891 he
did not cross over the international
bridge with most of the members OF
his party, to Juarez, Mexico. President
Mckinley spent nearly two days at FL
Paso last year during his transconti-
mental tour, but he was the only one of
all those present who went from Wash
ington with him who did not visit the
Mexican town. The Constitution does
rot forbid the President leaving the
United States, but for reasons OF senti- |
ment or the feeling that they should
not take any chances, none OF the Chief /
Executives has ever stepped foot on !
foreign soil while serving his term.
Near Culebra Island.
The maneuvers will take place in the
vicinity of Culebra Island, near Porto |
Rico. or Guantanamo, CUBA. The three /
squadrons are to meet at one of these /
places about January /, 1903. Should /
President Roosevelt go, he must neces-
sarily be absent rom Washington for at |
least three weeks, and this would give |
hiHi only a week with the ships So
long an absence from the United States |
would probably. necessitate the designa- |
tion OF an Acting President and Sec |
Ietary Hay, being the next in the line OF |
succession, would have the unique hon
or. The cruiser Mayfiower. formerly the |
yacht of Ogden Goelet. is being fitted up |
at the Brooklyn navy yard for the Presi-
dents use, and she would carry him and /
the members of his party to the West |
Indies.
Secretary Moody Will Attend.
1t has been practically decided by Sec /
retary Moody that ne will witness the .
West Indian maneuvers. and he has in |
vited Chairman Cannon of the House |
Committee on Appropriations, Chairman
Hale of the Senate Committee on Naval |
Affairs and Chairman Fcss of the House
Committee on Naval Affairs to 90 with
him. Other members of Congress Will |
be asked. The object in inviting Sena-
tors and Representatives to see the eX-
ercises is to let them see for themselves
the state of efficiency Of the navy in its
preparation for war.
Flagship Not Selected.
Admiral Dewey has net selected his
flagship. but it will probably be the
cruiser Olympia, on which he led the
way into Manila Bay on May /, 1898 |
The Olympia was the flagship of Rear
Admiral Higginson up 10 June 9, when /
he transferred his flag temporarily 10 .
the battleship Kearsarge
The only other officers who have
served as admirals Of the navy Farra
gut and Porter, never went to sea after
they had been detached from war ser
vice. Admiral Dewey's health has I'M
proved greatly. and as high official ,
expressed it last night:
Shows Great Enthusiasm.
"He is showing as much enthusiasm
over naval affairs as young lieuten-
ant"
1t has been generally supposed that
he did not care for active service again,
but at the Navy Department this is de-
clared to be an error. The statement 1
was made there yesterday afternoon by
an officer who had knowledge OF the
views. that he is very much
pleased over the opportunity Of soing to
sea.
The West Indian maneuyers viii last
about two months, ending early in
March.
President Roosevelt will probably not
be able to attend the war game to be
played at the eastern entrance of Long
Island Sound in August and September
BIZ the North Atlantic squadron. the
Coast Artillery, and the naval militia
md National Guard organizations. He |
.ed intended to see the game. but pri- /
sate reasons will prevent him from do l
ing so. Secretary Moody will attend.
rhe naval force to be engaged will be
commanded by Rear Admiral HiGsinson.
Paid Respects to NJ. Roosevelt.
DR.. Keding and DR.. Zenzer. OF the
yorth German Lloyd steamer Rheim,
ow lying at Baltimore, we're at the