Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-06-15


The fact that the navy department
quietly has been taking cognizance of
the Japanese situation does not mean
that hostilities are impending or in
evitable.
It Is simply q wise step taken for
The purpose Of having the United
States prepared for any eventuality
that may arise. The general board, Of
which Admiral Dewey is president, has
considered at various meetings plans
OF campaign for adoption In case Of
war. In none Of these plans 10 there in
dicated any Intention to divide the bat
tleship fleet.
In war with the United States, Ja-
pan would have the same initial adj
vantage she had during the war with
Russia. The strong section OF the
Russian feet was at Kronstadt, in the
Baltic, 1000 miles from the scene of
hostilities. In Asiatic waters the
United States has weak squadron of
arrnored cruisers, protected cruisers
and gunboats. Its main feetsis in the
North Atlantic, 1900 miles from the
Philippines.
The demand Of the coast cities for
battleships is about as idiotic a propo-
sition as well can be imagined. Such a
separation, OF course, would cradle an
enemy's feet to attack the 5. in
detail and destroy them without much
danger to itself. For this very impor-
tant reason the general board has de-
cided, and the president and Acting
GSnA tn NYnvr ~
that the battleship fleet shall remain
together in North Atlantic waters.
There are now. in Japanese waters
four armored cruisers-the West Vir-
ginia, the Colorado, the Maryland and
the Pennsylvania. At Chinese ports
there are, six protected cruisers and
four gunboats. In the Philippines
there are two monitors, six torpedo
boat destroyers and half dozen small
gunboats. In addition a number Of
golfers are attached to the Asiatic
equadrons.
On the Pacific coast of the United
States are stationed four ships, which
are practically armored cruisers, four
protected cruisers, number of tor
pedo boat destroyers, submarines and
other craft.
All the armored and protected cruls-
ers in the Pacific would seek to keep
out Of the way of the Japanese until
they could effect a junction with the
North Atlantic fleet The ships which
would be left in the far east would be
the monitors and gunboats, all OF
which probably would rendezvous at
the Olongopo naval station, near Man.
LA, where there is a floating dock
That considerable time would elapse
before the North Atlantic fleet could
reach Asiatic waters Is evident. At
Tor battleships to make the voyage. But
when the fleet did arrive it would be
Of a size to do business.
There are now in commission eigh-
I teen battleships Of the first class. By
next January the government will have
available twenty-five battleships Of
the first class. not counting the Ore
gon, Massachusetts, and Indiana. In
addition there will be in service four
teen ships classed as armored cruis-
ers.
Against this formidable command
the Japanese have only six first class
battleships, not counting those cap
tured from China and Russia, which
have been rebuilt, and twelve armored
cruisers. All Of these vessels are in
Japanese waters except the two or
hhree which are visiting European
waters.
Is Governor johnson, Of Minnesota,
the mysterious candidate that Colonel
Henry Watterson. Of Louisville, de-
clares would be winner were he
named by the democratic convention
In 1903? In any event, the belief is
growing that "Marse Henry" has the
governor of the great wheat state IN
mind This belief is not finding foot
hold alone here, but according to Judge
Humphrey, Of Louisville, who is here
on business with the departments, it
Is generally considered in the Ken
lucky metropolis that Governor john
sons Is the man on whose behalf the
mysterious appeal to Mr.. Bryan was
made. Judge Humphrey says:
''Goyernor Johnson, it is believed
comes up to the specifications laid
down by Colonel Watterson. He has a
moustache and his geography accords
The Minnesota man is also on record
as opposing government ownership of
railroads. But he is also said to- be
the possessor Of a large and varied as
sortment of views on all the questions
of the day. Perhaps if he could get as
many votes as he has views he might
be able to prove Colonel Watterson a
true prophet"
There is no doubt that Governor
Jol1nson's activity is causing the dem
ocratic leaders considerable anxiety.
His coming raid Into the south, when
he is to deliver an address at the un-
yelling of a monument on a historic
battlefield, is looked upon as being a
clever way OF Introducing himself to
southern democrats. AS politician
Governor Johnson measures large, and
y may be predicted with ali safety that