New-York tribune., 1907-12-14
DANCE BEFORE CRUISE.
NAVAL OFFICERS 1T BALL.
Day of Festiuity for atlantic Fleet
Policy on Japanese.

Old Point Comfort, Va. Dec. 13-There a
brilliant naval and military ball at the Hotel
Chamberlin tonight. given in honor of Ad-
rniral Evans and the other officers OF the six
teen batteships which will sail on Monday on
their cruise to the Pacific Ocean. The recep-
tion and dance in the gayly decorated ballroom
closed a day devoted almost entirely to social
doings.
The ships reported ready" last night and to-
day there little no work to do. Enlisted
men came ashore in large numbers. while on
board ship the gunner and ward room officers
kept open house. Afternoon tea was served on
every vessel and impromptu musicals were a
feature of the days entertaining. Bobbing
launches filled with gay parties from shore made
frequent trips during the visiting hours
The ball tonight called out the special even
ing dress uniforms Of the naval officers who
were all s-glitter with gold lace and trappings.
Army officers from Fort Monroe added
bright touch of artillery red to the color scheme
Flags of all nations draped the ballroom The
social sets of Norfolk. Richmond, Baltimore.
Washington and other Eastern cities were
largely represented in the spectacular gathering.
With regard to the report that all Japanese
servants on board the vessels OF the Pacific
bound feet have been transferred to other ships
that to be left behind 1t was stated on
board the flagship Connecticut to-day that only
those Japanese stewards and mess attendants
whose enlistments expire prior TO July | next
have been replaced by American sailors
Gently trained for the work. The Japanese fall
ing within this restriction have been placed
receiving ships at various navy yards. as 1t was
not desired to discharge them at distant port
and be under the obligation of paying their fares
back to the Eastern part of the United States.
Quite a number of japanese servants whose en-
listments have year or more to run being
taken along a usual
Under the rules laid down by the present Sec
retary of the Navy. the enlistment in the navy
of persons not citizens Of the United States Is
strongly forbidden. For this reason. none of
the japanese can be re-enlisted. and all aliens
are thus be eventually eliminated from the
enlisted force. Realizing that the Japanese SER
wants could no longer be retained. the officers
for some time past have been instructing other
sailors in the duties formerly assigned to the
Japanese.
The admirals of the four divisions and the
captains of the sixteen ships in the fleet
busy to-day arranging the last details of the
Presidential review on Monday morning. which
will preCede the departure Of the vessels of war
through the Virginia Capes The officers have
taken from their library shelves the navys "old
tactical signal book" and renewing their
acquaintance with its directions as to passing
In review.
Admiral Evans has issued the last general
orders for the start Of the cruise and its first
stage Trinidad. Economy of coal consump-
:ion is urged by Admiral Evans upon every
ships crew. One of the most valuable pieces of
information the transfer of the ships to the
Pacific is expected to develop has to do with
the amount of fuel consumed. ten-knot speed
is to be maintained throughout the voyage. and
orders have been issued that only steam enough
to carry that speed economically shall be kept
in the boilers Any change of distance or in
terval In the fleet formation. the orders direct.
shall be corrected SLOWLY and economically"
Tomorrow afternoon the football teams of the
Vermont and the Kansas will meet to decide the
feet championship In the evening Admiral
Evans and the officers Of the flagship Connecti-
cut will entertain on board that vessel, the re-
ceptfon to be followed by dancing the decks.
Several naval attaches from the foreign en-
bassies and legations at Washington have ar
rived here to witness the man9uvres attending
the departure of the fleet