The Washington times., 1907-12-22
MANILA OBJECT
OF FLEETS TRIP.
OFFICERS Think
Reorganizationof Armada
Occupies Attention
Of Men of Navy,

Admiral "Rob' Evans and his battle
ship feet wiz go to the Philippines, it
is believed, and three-fourths Of It, all
except the division under command of
Rear Admiral sperry. viii return to the
Atlantic Coast by way of the Suez
canal
Despite the official denials Of a prob
able division Of the fleet. and the pos
sibility Of it's going to the Philippines
and then back TO the Atlantic by way
of the Suez canal. this is believed to
be the present plan OF those in au-
thority. The ultimate destination Of the
fleet and the question as to whether it
viii be kept intact has been much Gis-
cussed at the department recently, as
well as I'm the newspapers, and the
statement that there win be a division
and that Admiral Evans viii return
via the SUez canal is well founded.
Special Orders Given.
It is said on good authority that spe-
cial orders have been given in regard
10 the ultimate disposition of the ships
beyond the itinerary. which contcm-
plates the arrival OF the vessels at Mag
dalena bay next April. All the vessels
win remain Tor q time on the Pacific
coast. but 1t las been practically de-
cided, # is said. that If the entire feet
goes to Asiauc waters and thence
through the SUez Admiral Sperrys di-
vision, the fourth, viii be detached upon
arrival at the Asiatic station, and if the
return trip is made by way Of the Horn,
this division Will be detached and or
.dered across the Pacific. The ships des-
tined for duty on the Asiatic station are
the Alabama, Kearsarge, Kentucky, and
Illinois. Admiral SpeTry viii remain In
command while they are on the Asiatio
station
A general shake-up Of the officers Of
The fleet is contemplated upon its ar
rival at San Francisco, but these
changes will not affect the commanding
officers. The changes affect other Of
flcers whose tours Of duty aGoat viii
expire, or whose retention on board
ship for longer. or shorter periods jus
tifcs a transfer. This is evidently with
a view Of giving the vessels of the
present fourth division, officers who VIII
rtmain attached 10 those ships for the
required period while oc duty I'm the Far
East. There are on board the various
vessels Of the Atlantic fleet officers ard
men who are destined for duty on the
Pacific fleet. and their transportation
is accomplished by the cruise without
additional cost to the department.
Evans May Keep Command.
There is some interesting gossip as to
whether the vessels of the Atlantic
fleet will return to the Atlantic coast
under a new commander-in-Chief. Rear
Admiral Evans will be retired August
Is. 1905 when ne reaches the age limit
OF sixty-two years, unless some ar
ranEement is made for a delay. His
retirement. If he is retired, may not
change the situation in the least and
he may continue TO command the feet.
whether this viii be authorized or
whether his retirement will be delayed
is a question.
Announcement was made by the Navy
Department yesterday Of a new organi-
zation Of the Pacific fleet. The only
changes are in the assignment Of vessels
20 bring the formation up to date, no
changes I'm the personnel being contem-
plated. Read Admiral James II. Day
ton remains I'm command
Reorganization Significant.
The reorganization Of this feet is
regarded as an indication Of the i'm
probability Of the keeping OF the fleet
on the Pacific coast It is believed
this plan cOntemplates but a short
stay for Admiral Evans on the Pacific
station.
Secretary of the Navy OIetcalf and
Admiral ErOwnson. as well as the Presi-
dent vehemently deny, however, that
any plans have been made for the bat
tIeship fleet beyond San Francisco.
Still another vessel is making the long
trip around the Horn. but in the re-
verse direction Of the big feet. The
cruiser Chicago is on her way TO the
Atlantic coast from san Francisco, and
under any other circumstances her
cruise would attract unusual attention.