The Washington times., 1907-09-14
NETTLED
OVER CRITICISMS
Pacific Cruise Strictly for
Drill Purposes, Secre-
tary Says.
Decided Upon as Early
as June 81, He
Declares.

Secretary Metcalf. Of the Navy De-
partment, has no patience with the at
tempts OF persons or interests to tnfiu-
enoe public opinion against the policy OF
the Navy Department to send the At
iantic battleship feet on q cruise TO the
Pacific coast. and possibly on around
the world.
When reminded today that many OF
the Eastern newspapers, politicians,
members OF Congress. and persons inter
ested in the amount OF work done at
the Atlantic coast navy yards and ship
building companies were opposing the
move, he declared. with emphasis. that
the navy Is not being maintained for
any certain classes or interests. or Tor
the edihcation or pecuniary benefit OF
any certain section. but for the Amer
lean Government and people. Accord
ingly. the feet would be as much at
home In the Gulf OF Mexico, on the Pa
cif1c coast. or even IN the Philippine
waters, as at the Brooklyn Navy Yard,
Hampton Roads, or any other point on
the Atlantic.
Intended for Drill Purposes.
The purpose of the cruise is strictly in
the line OF drill and education for the
ships, men, and officers OF the feet. The
movement is strictly for the good Of the
service, and accordingly for the defense
Of the entire country IN case OF any pos
sibIe danger.
Secretary Meteelf stated that he had
no information 10 the effect that the
coal concerns OF the country would not
compete for the contract OF providing
the necessary 100000 worth OF fuel 10
transport the feet 10 Mare Island. for
which the department. has just adver-
used. a New York commercial paper
this morning announced that owing 10
the coal producers OF the country being
taxed to capacity to supply the present
demand. and owing 70 the vast amount
OF contracted fuel yet undelivered. they
would De unable 10 seek the contract
and that 80 would be necessary to go to
the English market for the Welsh coal
The Secretary stated that the coal
must be had, and doubtless would DO
had. II the Government Is unable 70
procure II IN the home market. doubtless
Il viii be readily obtained from the Eng
ush market. and possibly at a lower fig-
ure than would have 10 be paid for Il
here.
Repairs in This Country.
Significance is attached In Official
circles 10 the remark OF the Secretary
that no one could reasonably object 10
the cruise of the feet, because It would
deprive certain navy yards OF repair
work, for during the absence Of the feet.
be said, ''the money spent in repairs viii
be expended in our own country" The
Secretary. after having looked carefully
into the subject, is convinced that IL will
be necessary 70 dock all Of the ships
before they begin their return Journey,
and IN line with the policy OF the navy
to withhold as much information con-
corning the ships from foreign nations
as possible, IL does not-seem feasible 70
send any Of the big battleships 70 fer
eiga docks
Decision Reached June ~.
Since the return Of Secretary Metcalf
a point that has been much questioned
the time the decision 10 send the feet
was reached-has developed. It Is
learned that 1t was not actually decided
upon until June q, although II had been
under contemplation before the Presi-
dent left Washington, the report OF the
General Board on the subject being be-
fore the President early fl June TWO
days before he left on his vacation, Sec
rotary MetCalf was in conference with
the President at Oyster Bay. and that
day laid before the President his in
dOrsemcnt Of the General Boards rec
concentrations. The recommendation was
promptly approved by the President.