New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-23
MORE SHIPS MAY GO EAST.
Strengthening of admiral EUdns's
Fleet Under Earnest Consideration

Washington. Feb. 22.-Naval officials ars
earnestly considering the strengthening Of the
American Aslatic fleet. in view OF the vast in
terests OF this country IN the Philippines and
IN China and Corea, and ths probability that
disturbances may make IL necessary to protect
them az any time. While the fleet is regarded as
too small. there is a desire to avoid exciting the
suspicion Of the European powers. lest this gov
eminent may be put in the false light OF inter-
fering In tho Eastern struggle. notwithstanding
rs declaration OF absolute neutrality. A naval
officer Of high rank said tonight:
The need OF increasing the, Asiatio feet has been
LONG Icy, u was intended that The new 6attleship
cisco. should Doe sent 20 IN" Asatc Station IN
by Tho armored cruiser south Dakota and the pro-
Iec'ed cruiser Ail%aHkeS as soon az these vessels
are com. eted Inc OHIO however, viii not bs
ready before autumn. and We are now considering
additional EattIeship II has been suggested that
the Iowa Do selected Tor this mission. but no de-
repairs a- the New York ward.
lq addition. tic Tacoma. which was commissioned
been tentatively selected 90 to the Asiatic sta
Fq1fdr"E. hut under present circumstances u IS
lf"hate mat mono ~ the cruiser squadron will b
% O.. T. also has been suggested that the New
Station. and that she make the cruise NTH the
Tacoma This i7 Undecided and The uncertainty Of
tie Network is due for "A thorough overhauiine
rather initiates against sending that vessel to JOIN
So rapidly are events IN tho Far East moving
tho As.atic Station the next days developments
may demand. lt originally suggested that the
@ ~, i ..S' 20 up "a No. 90. guy TINS
she b8tteships 10 remain IN Philippine waters ana
fo- the cruiser squadron Co assemble at Shanghai.
Repairs 20 The valves Of tho Kentucky. the flagship
Of the AEIttic Station. however. have made neccs-
sary tho sending OF that snip 10 Hong Kong 10 b.
docked and IL IS probable t1at the other ships Of
couglu viii accompany her Meantime the cruisers
Will Dee used 20 keep ia communication with our
Seoul
Rear Admiral Evans has expressed a wish TO
remain in the Far East FOR the present. IN the
event that the Kentucky is not to be brough,
home when repaired. lie feels that the situa-
ton IS extremely important. and FOR this rea-
son offers TO remain. although hts tour OF sea
duty ends next month. and the plan IS for him
TO return 20 New-Yorl in his flagship. The de-
partmeut has left the matter entirely 10 his
own judgment. and e was announced tonight
by n high official that the department has con-
hdence IN the wisdom OF Admiral Evans's de-
cislon. IL IS expected that the docking OF the
Kentucky will show just what repairs the ship
needs and Il said tonight that she may be
on her way home within two weeks. The Ken
lucky would come by way OF Suez. making the
usual stops.
II Admiral Evans decides 70 return. new
ders viii be issued Immediately assigning him
10 the presidency Of the Lighthouse Board
Rear Admiral Philip II. Cooper now command
ing the cruiser squadron OF the Asiatic feet. will
be named his successor I'm chief command OF
the station. and i'm turn will be succeeded by
Rear Admiral Yates Stirling now commanding
the Philippine squadron. the command OF that
squadron being taken by Rear Admiral W. NJ
Folger.