Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-18
SHIPS GOING TO KEEL
European Squadron to Par
ticipate in Celebration.
NAVY OFFICIALS PLAN
GERMAN CRITICISM BASED ON A
MISUNDERSTANDING.
North Atlantic Fleet Will Probably
Not Go on the Contemplated
Cruise to the Azores.

learned that the criticisms in a few German
newspapers directed against a supposed
declination of the Navy Department here
to send an American naval squadron to
klei this summer are based upon a COM
plete misunderstanding of the situation
The same official explained the facts as fol-
lows: No set and formal invitation from
the German government to send an Ameri-
can squadron to Kiel was ever received.
However. through semi official channels in
timations did reach Washington that the
German emperor would be pleased to have
the North Atlantic squadron stop at I\isl
during the naval demonstration.
Failing that, 1T was In the same informal
way suggested that when Rear Admiral
Robley d. Evans retired from his command
in Asia and started to return to the United
States on his battle ship Kentucky the en-
peror, who was we'll acquainted with him.
would be glad to have him touch at s,rne
German seaport. Now, Secretary Moody
is extremely desirous to do anything within
reason to show the warmth of the .riaDd-
snip which he cherishes toward Germany
and the President and Secretary Hay are
of the same mind. They are resolved TO
miss no opportunity to reciprocate the
many kindly expressions of regard for
America that have come directly from En-
peror William.
Impossible to Accept.
But circumstances conspired to make it
impossible TO meet either of the hints
thrown out from Germany First, as to the
North Atlantic squadron, the general board
here had planned an extensive scheme of
maneuvers and drill work, which had ad-
vanced so far toward execution that the re-
suits of failure to complete the work
would have been disastrous to discipline
and would have involved considerable finan-
cial loss.
1t was seen that the Kentucky, having been
IN semf-tropical waters for long time and
having been cruising very actively in Asian
waters, and having before her a voyage of
nearly lo,Uo miles, returning to New York
In the shortest line, would be In no condi
uon when she arrived at Gibraltar going
westward to be diverted from her straight
course away to northern Europe. She would
certainly not have been an attractive shin
to inspect at that stage.
Ships Will Go to Kiel.
The United State navy, however is not
to be unrepresented at Kiel Following
the usual custom. when the warm weather
begins in the Mediterranean, the Europea
squadron will begin to slowly work its wav
out Of the sea and northward, and 1t is cal
culated that it will arrive at Kiel In time to
take its proper place in the celebration
That can be done and will be done with
out undue interference with the routine
movements of the European squadron. and
attention is directed to the fact that this
Is the same squadron which is under orders
to be at Marseilles when President I,ouhet
returns from Africa. While the Nayv De
partment is desirous to show the greatest
courtesy toward President Loubet and the
people he represents, it Is only fair, in view
OF the German misconception on the sub
hofr
a few hours sail distant from Marseilles,
a failure on the part of the American
squadron to greet the returning president
would be little less than a gross dis
courtesys
May Not Go to the Azores.
In view of the enforced withdrawal Of the
Massachusetts,, Iowa, Indiana, Texas and
Maine from further service with the fleet,
1t is more than probable that the proposed
cruise across the Atlantic to the Azores
will be abandoned for this year at least
The Iowa, Massachusetts and Maine are in
need of extensive repairs, and will be laid
up for some time. The Indiana will be
used this summer as a practice ship for
mfdshipmen from the Naval Academy and
the Texas has been assigned to Rear Ad-
miral Sands as flagship of the Atlantic
coast defense squadron. These with
drawals leave but three battle ships in the
North Atlantic fleet, the Kearsarge, Ala
bama and the Illinois, and the number is
believed to be too small for the fleet evolu-
tfons contemplated by the general board
The fleet will undoubtedly take part, how
ever, in the joint army and navy maneuvers
off the coast of Maine in the late summer.
To Round Out Target Practice.
In order to round out the period of tar
get practice set for the vessels of the
North Atlantic squadron the Navy Depart
ment has telegraphed orders to Rear Ad-
miral Higginson at Pensacola to delay the
departure of the squadron for the Chesa-
peake until early next week The time
of departure from Pensacola will be fixed
so as to allow the vessels to arrive off
the Chesapeake between the I'd and 4th
of May, at which time they will be in
spected by Admiral Dewey and the general
board.
Rear Admiral A. S. Barker has been
ordered to accompany the general board
of the navy in it's inspection of the North
Atlantic fleet off the Virginia capes. and
upon the conclusion of the inspection to
relieve Rear Admiral F. J. Higginson of
command of the fleet The change in COM
mand will probably take place May 5.
After Admiral Barker relieves Admiral
Higginson the vessels of the fleet will go
to navy yards for an overhauling.
Orders to Admiral Coghlan.
The U. S. s. Atlanta. now in Dominican
waters. is soon to be relieved and brought
home. Rear Admiral Coghlan intended to
touch at San Domingo with his whole
squadron. but this idea has been aban-
doned and instead he has been instructed
to send only one of his ships to San Domin-
go, where in due course she will relieve
the Atlanta. If the revolutionary con-
ditions on the island continue to be as
threatening as they are at present the
A <lov, TO rufh hn cifnfr rn6 lon
station for time even after the arrival of
her relief shin