Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1903-04-24
WARSHIPS TO GO TO KEEL
Government Wants to Please Emperor
William.
GERMANY FELT MUCH SIGHTED.
Harsh Criticism In the German Press Which
Expressed Indignation Because the Euro
peau Squadron Had Been Ordered to Greet
President Loubet at HarseiIles After De-
cining a Number of Germa1y's Invitations

Washington, D. c. (SpeciaD.-From
the highest official quarters it is learn
ed that the criticisms in few German
newspapers directed against a supposed
declination OF the Navy Department
here to send an American naval squad
ron to Kicl this summer are based on a
complete misunderstanding OF the sit
uation. The facts are explained as fol-
lows:
No set and formal invitation from the
German government to send an Amer
lean squadron to Kiel was ever re-
ceived.
But through semiofficial channels in
timations did reach Washington that
the German Emperor would be pleas
ed to have the North Atlantic Squad
ron stop at Kicl during the naval dem
onstration. Failing that, it was in the
same informal way suggested that when
Admiral Evans retired from his COM
mand in Asia and started to return to
the United States on his battleship
Kentucky the Emperor. who was well
acquainted with him. would be glad to
have him touch at some German sea-
port.
Secretary Moody is extremely dcSir
OTIS of doing anything within reason to
show the warmth OF the friendship
which he cherishes towards Germany.
Al, ,,1 ~
have the same disposition. They were
resolved to miss no opportunity to re-
ciprocate the many kindly expressions
OF regard for America that had come
directly from Emperor William.
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 eX-
tensve scheme OF maneuvers and drill
work which had advanced so far to
wards execution that the results OF a
failure to complete the work would
have been disastrous to discipline.
As to Admiral Evans invitation. ii
was decided that the Kentucky having
been in semitropical waters for a long
time and having before her voyage OF
nearly 1900 miles returning to New
| York in the shortest line, would be IN
no condition when she arrived at Glib
| raltar going westward 70 be diverted
from her stright co"rsc to Northern
Europe. She would certainly not have
been an attractive ship to inspect at
! that stage.
But the United States Navy is not to
be unrepresented at Kiel. Following
the usual custom, when the warm
weather begins in the Mediterranean,
the European squadron will begin sow
ly to work its way nortfward, and IT
is calculated that it will arrive at Kicl
in time to take its proper place in the
celebration.
This can be done and will be done
without 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 10 be at Mar
settles when President Loubet returns
from Africa While the Navy Depart
ment is DESTROYS of showing the great
est courtesy towards President Loubct
and the people he represents, it is only
fair, i'll view of the German rnisconcep-
ton on the subject, TO point ou; that
being even now only a few hours sail
distant from Marselles, failure on the
part of the American squadron TO greet
the returning President would have
been little less than gross discour-