Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-07-06
Modifying IRE FLEET
A Powerful Naval Squadron
Confronts Russian Fleet In
Pechili Gulf
GATHERING IS SIGNIFICANT
GATHERING is SIGNIFICANT
Concentration of tho American Con-
tinaent There Believed to Be for Pur-
pose of Holding Russia to Her Agree
ment in Regard to Keeping Man
shoorian Ports Open.

washington. july o.-iHe SiSniiiCaiiSS
%: the gathering of American warships
in the gulf of Pechili becomes more ap-
,parent with the news that Russia has
now no less than fifty vessels, inciuo-
ing an entirely new squadron, In that
important body of Chinese water
While the concentration CT the Amerl-
Ican naval contingent in this broad gun
yWas due primarily to the navy depart
lnnent's policy to keep all naval dlVls-
HONS engaged in maneuvers. there can
NOW be no doubt that this mobilization
khas a broader meaning. that speaks
lwell for the foresight of those III charge
,of preparing for any hostile contin-
Wency.
To say that this government is anx-
1ous to have trouble with Russia over
the Manchuran affair would be far be-
yond the fact. but ii may be no eXas-
geration to assert that the administra-
ton in Washington intends to take
every precaution TO protect the far
eastern interests in which 1t claims TO
have a share.
Rear Admiral Robley d. Evans, the
communicative of the American
naval force on the Asiatic station, has
Fecently warned the navy department
that, in his opinion. serious trouble is
imminent in China. When the depart
ment became aware that news OF the
receipt of such advices from Admiral
Evans was known to the press, 1t de-
clined to make any statement, but the
Impression was conveyed that the anX-
1ety of Admiral Evans was with refer
ence to internal uprisings in the vicln-
fly of Canton, and did not extend TO a
renewal of the danger of foreign COM
piications over the choice territory far
Their north upon which some powers
have looked with longing eyes.
But. considered in the light of more
recent knowledge, and The concentra-
ton of Admiral Evans feet In the gulf
of Pechili, his feeling OF concern as
sumes clearer meaning. The extreme
reticence of the naval authorities
makes it impossible to say whether his
warning OF coming storm was based
on the unrest among the Cantonese or
information of the intended foreign ag-
erosion in north China, but the sug-
gestions made by him all point TO the
irehension.
In one of his reports on this subject,
Admiral Evans said that conditions in
China were such that he felt it would
be unwise to return home the battal-
ions of marines concentrated at the
Olongapo naval station. not far from
L,sanila. until an equal number of m an
had relieved them. The tour of for
eign service for the marines at Dion
Eapo expired several months ago. and,
An view of the peaceful conditions pre-
yailins in the Philippines, the navy de-
1.artment intended to withdraw them
and to send only comparatively small
number of others from the United
states to take their places. On account
of Admiral Evans reports. however,
fully as many marines are now at Ca
vite and will be sent there and some
of them are already oil their way.
In addition to augmenting the Asiatic
fleet by the new battleship Wisconsin,
the department is sending to China the
first-class cruisers Albany. Cincinnati
and Raleigh, and significance may be
found also in orders for the armored
cruiser New York. the cruiser Marble
head and the gunboat Remington. I'M
der command of Rear Admiral Glass. to
the Aleutian islands. ostensibly for
summer cruise. A glance at map of
the North Pacific will show how sur
prisfngly short is the distance between
the extreme end of the Aleutian group
and the gulf of Pechili. The advan-
tage of having squadron in the Aleu-
tians in the event of international COM
piications in China would be very great.
irdead