Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-02-23
MORO SHIPS N EAST
The Proposition to Increase
American War Fleet In the
Orient Favored
PERIL IN THE SITUATION
Any Day May Bring Danger to the In
tcrests of Americans at the Scene of
Hostilities-Admiral Evens Expresses
Desirability of Fleet Remaining In
the Orient.

Washington, Feb. 23-Naval officials
are considering earnestly the strength
ening of the American Asiatic fleet In
view OF the vast interests OF this coun-
try in the Philippines. in China
and In Korea. and the probability thaS
disturbances may necessitate their pro-
lection at any time.
At the same time there is desire 10
avoid exciting the suspicion of the Old
world powers lest this government may
be put in the false light of interfering
in the eastern struggle notwithstani-
ing our declaration of absolute neu-
night said:
The need of increasing the Asiatic
fleet has long been felt. 1t was in
tended that the new battleship Ohio
building at the Union Iron Works,
San Francisco, should be sent to the
Asiatic station in the spring. and that
III should be followed there by the
armored cruiser South Dakota, and the
protected cruiser milwaukee,, as soon
as these vessels are completed.
The Ohio, however. will not be ready
before autumn. and we are now con-
sidering the dispatch within the next
month or two of an additional battle
ship. 1t has been suggested that the
Iowa be selected for this mission. but
no decision has been reached II Is
now receiving rush repairs at the
New York yard.
In addition the Tacoma, which was
commissioned n short time ago and
is getting ready for sea, has been ten
tatively selected to so to the Asiatlc
station as the relief of the vessels Of
the cruiser squadron. but under pres
ent circumstances 1t is probable that
none OF the cruiser squadron Will be
brought home now. however many
ships are added to It,
1T also has been suggested that the
New York. now at Panama, be returned
to the Asiatic station and that it make
the cruise with the Tacoma This is
undecided. and the uncertainty of the
Panama situation, together with the
fact that the New York is due for 4
thorough overhauling, initiates against
sending that vessel to join Admiral
Evans fleet.
SO rapidly are events in the far east
moving that II Is impossible To say one
day what move on the As!atic station
the next days Developments may
demand 1t was originally suggested
that the battleship squadron go up
to Chefoo. hut this was not APPROX
ed and an order was issued for the
battleships TO remain In Philippine
waters and for the cruiser squadron 20
assemble at Shanghai. Repairs to the
valves of the Kentucky, the flagship of
the Asiatlc station, however. have ne
cessitated the sending of that ship 10
Hongkong to be locked. and 1t is prob
able the other ships of the squadron
the battleships Oregon and Wisconsin,
will so to the same port. Meantime
the cruisers will be used to keep IN
communication with our agents at
Newchwang, Chefoo, Chemulpo and
Seoul"
Rear Admiral Evans has cabled the
ravy department expressing a wish 20
remain in the far east for the present.
He feels that the situation Is extreme
ly important out there and for this
reason offers to remain. although his
time of sea duty is up next month and
the plan is for him to return to New
York in his flagship. The department
has cabled him, leaving the matter en-
tire ly to his own judgment. and the
announcement was made last night by
a high official that the department had
every confidence in the wisdom of Adj
miral Evans decision.