The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-23
OF
 FLEET IN EAST
Several WarShips May Join the Command
 of Admiral Evans.

Washington, Feb. 22.-Naval officials are considering the establishment of an Asiatic fleet in view of the vast inter- ests of this country in the Philippines and in China and in Korea and the prob- ability that disturbances may necessi- tate their protection at any time.
 At the same time that the fleet Is re- garded as too small, there is desire to avoid exciting the suspicion of the old world powers lest this government may be put in the false light of interest in the Eastern struggle notwithstanding our de- claration of absolute neutrality. A high naval official said tonight:
 'HThe need of increasing the Asiatic fleet has been long felt. It was intended that the new battleship Ohio building at San Francisco should be sent to the Asiatic station in the spring and that she be fol- lowed 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 considering the dispatch within the next month or two of an additional battleship. It has been suggested that the Iowa be selected for this mission, but no decision has been reached. She Is now receiving rush repairs at the New York yard.
 ''In addition, the Tacoma, which was commissioned a short time ago and is getting ready for sea, has been tentatively decided to go to Asiatic waters as the re- lief of one of the vessels of the cruiser squadron. but under present circum- stances 1t is probable that none of the cruiser squadron will be brought home, however many ships are added to it. It also has been suggested that the New York. now at Panama, be returned to the Asiatic station and that she make the cruise with the Tacoma This Is uIade- cided and the uncertainty of the Panama situation together with the fact that the New York is due for thorough overhaul ing rather initiates against sending that vessel to join Admiral Evans's fleet.
 "So rapidly are events in the Far East moving that it is impossible to say one day what move on the Asiatio station the next days developments may demand. It, was originally suggested that the battle ship squadron go up to Che Foo, but this was not approved and an order was is- sued for the battleships to remain In PfIil- ippine. waters and for the cruiser squad. ron to assemble at Shanghai. Repairs to the valves of the Kentucky, the flagship 'ge tha Aesatic sts tt1ns however 1gssEr nass eessifated the sending of that ship to Hong Kong to be docked and it is pros bable the other chips of the squadron the battleships Oregon and Wisconsin will acx company her Meantime the cruisers wilE be used to keep in communication with our agents at Nieu Chwang, Che Foo. Chemulpo and Seoul"
 Rear Admiral Evans has cabled the Navy Department expressing wish to remain in the Far East for the present in the event that the Kentucky is not to be brought home to be repaired. He feels that the situation is extremely import ant there and for this reason offers to stay, although his time of sea duty is up next month. The department has cabled him, leaving the matter entirely to his own Judgment,