The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-09
OFF FOR PACIFIC In The FALL
BATTLESHHPS To HAVE SUMNER
PRACTICE nv HOME WATERS.

Rear Admiral Evans VIII Assemble the
Fleet for Midsummer Man0cuvres on
the New England Coast on August N
REPAIR work Being Rushed On ships.
W~AsHNoToN. July s.-Announcement
was made at the Navy Department to-day
that the proposed voyage~of the battleship
feet to the Pacific would in no way inter-
fere with the plan already arranged for the
summer OF the Atlantic feet.
The decision has been made hat Rear
Admiral Evans. commanding the feet.
shall assemble his vessels for midsummer
operations at some point on the New
England coast on August rs. The place
has not yet been determined, as there ia
no great haste in the matter.
In the meantime the ships which may
need repairs will he locked and put in con-
dition. Repairs are being rushed on the
Connecticut. which is Admiral Evans's
flagship. but this is being done 30 that other
ships may be sent to the Brooklyn yard for
special work upon them as may be neces-
ssry and for the further reason that the ship
has not completed her formal trials.
The plan of docking the vessels for re-
pairs was mapped out months g and is
now being carried out without regard to
the intended movement Of the feet to the
Pacific. These repairs would have been
made had there been no decision reached
for tho movement to the Pacific.
The. New England man9uvfes will be COM
pleted some time in October. Then. follow
ing the usual custom. the feet would move
southwark toward Guantanamo for drill
operations and target practice. but instead
Of doing so this fall they will 60 on the cruise
to the Pacific. The proposition to send the
feet to the Pacific at an early date. that is.
this summer. has not beer considered and
will not be considered unless there is danger
Of an immediate outbreak of hostilities on
the part Of Japan. which officers do not be-
lieve is at all likely.
Much greater difficulty would be ex-
perienced in getting the big ships around
to the Pacific now than five or six months
later. The South Atlantic is now in mid
winter, the weather Is u~nfavorable and
much danger might be encountered. Be-
sides that. it is argued. there is no pressing
need FOR their presence there at this time.
Whatever good effect ma be had by send
ing the ships there, IL Is contended. will be
produced by the announcement OF the de-
cision that they are to go later.
OF course, IL there should be an out
break on the part of Japan the plan to de-
lay the sending of the ships until next winter
would be changed Immediately. The inn
preston. however. which officers seek to
convey is that the feet is not to be sent to
the Pacific as a menace to Japan
or because there is any danger
OF war. which is secuted. but rather to
demonstrate our ability to make a dash
around the Horn in the event of an emer-
gency. Whether or not the ships will be
brought back to the Atlantic is a matter
for determination after further Develop
ments. Next December will be midsum-
mer in the South Atlantic and conditions
will then be favorable for the long cruise.
In some naval quarters the opinion ia
held still that the battleship feet will
never go to the Pacific and the i'm
preston is given that the proposition is
largely bluf for the purpose OF showing
Japan what We would do ia case IL became
necessary to have a large feet In Pacific
waters.
These same officers believe that II would
be a dangerous thing to cave the Atlantic
unprotected, as it o be in the
event Of the withdrawal OF the entire battle
ship fleet. At the same time they point
out that the transfer Of the fleet
to the Pacific and the abandonment
Of the Atlantic coast would be an argument
for a large increase in the navy and the build
ing Of a corresponding battleship feet for the
Atlantic, in order that the country might be
protected in both oceans.