Evening star., 1904-02-23


ordinate officials which prevents The exer-
else of this merciful function.
Suggestion From Tokyo.
United States Minister Griscom cables
from Tokyo: sai'
at has been suggested by the war office
ar Tokyo that our army officers to ac-
company Japanese army had better go 10
Tokyo where they will be sent out with
the various armies at different times"
To Strengthen the Fleet.
Naval officials are considering earnestly
the strengthening of the American Asiatic
fleet i'll view of the vast interests of this
country in the Philippines and in China
and in Korea. a--d the probability that dis
tufbances may necessitate their protection
at any time AT the same time that the
fleet is regarded 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 interfering in
the eastern struggle notwithstanding our
declaration of absolute neutrality. high
naval officer said: a-
''The need of increasing the Asiatic fleet
has been long felt. 1t was intended that
the new battle ship Ohio building at the
Union Iron Works, San Francisco. should
be sent to the Asiatic station In the spring.
and that she 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 considering the dispatch
within The next month or two of an addi-
tional battle ship. 1t has been suggested
that the Iowa be selected for this mission.
but no decision has been reached. She is
now receiving rush orders at the New York
yard.
"In addition. the Tacoma. which was
commissioned a short time ago and is get
ting ready for sea. has been tentatively Sc
Loo fa1 he A,Sia
relief of one Of the vessels OF the cruiser
squadron. but under present circumstances
II Is probable that none of the cruiser squad
ron will be brought home now. however
many ships are added to it. 1t also has
been sugeesttd that the New York, now at
Panama, be returned to the Asiatic station
and that she make the cruise with the Ia
coma This is undecided and the uncer-
tainty of the Panama situation, together
with the fact that the New York is due
for a thorough overhaulng. rather mill
tates against sending that vessel 10 JOIN
Admiral Evans fleet
so rapidly are events in the far east
moving that il is Impossible to say one
dsv what move on the Asiatic station the
next DAYS developments may demand. 1t
was originally suggested that the battle ship
squadron go up to Ghefoo, but this was
rot approved and an order was issued for
the battle ships TO remain in Philippine
waters and for the cruiser squadron ito as
sernile at Shanghai. Repairs 10 the valves
of the Kentucky. the flagship of the Asiatic
Atom however have necessitated the
sending Of. that ship to Hong Kong 10 be
doeked and Ii is probable the other ships
of the squadron. the battle ships Oregon and
Wisconsin, win accompany her Meantime
the cruisers will be used to keep in COM
munication with our agents at Niuchwank,
Chefoo, Chemulpo and Seoul
Admiral Evans May Remain.
Rear Admiral Evans has cabled the Navy
Department expressing a wish to remain in
the far east for the present in the event
that the Kentucky Is not to be brought
home when repaired He feels that the
situation is extremely important out there
and for this reason offers to remain al
though his tour of sea duty is up next
month and the plan is for him to return
to New York in his flagship. The depart
ment has cabled him, leaving the matter
entirely to his own judgment and the an
nouiicement was made last night by high
official that the department had every con-
fidence In the wisdom of Admiral Evans
decision II is expected that the docking
pairs the ship needs. and 1t is said that
She may be her way home within two
weeks. The Kentucky would come by way
of Suex, making the usual stops.
In the event that Admiral Evans decides
to return now, orders will be issued Inn
mediately assigning him to the presidency
of the lighthouse board. Rear Admiral
Philip H. Cooper. now commanding the
cruiser squadron of the Asiatic fleet. Will
be named as the successor of Admiral
Evans in supreme command OF the station
and In turn win be succeeded by Rear Ad-
Phiiippkne squadron. the command OF that
squadron being taken by Rear Admiral W.