Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-25
PLANS FOR THE FLEET
Not Intended to Keep It in the
Pacific.
MAY REMAIN NINETY DAYS.
Rear Admiral Evans May Bring It
Back.
REAL PURPOSE OF THE CRUISE
Test Of the Capabilities of Battle
ships Under Trying Condi-
tions Desired.

The Presidents return to this city has
served to renew the discussion of the ad-
visibility Of the transfer of the battleship
fleet from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast
under existing and prospective conditions.
Naval officers here have had their atten-
ton directed to the remarks of the Presi-
dent in the course of his recent speech at
Vicksburg, bearing upon the fleet move
ment. as representing the present state of
mind of the chief executive upon that sub
ject. 1t is recalled that the President took
occasion In his remarks to answer the
criticism he said he had observed in some
quarters that he was exceeding the ap-
preparation available for coal in getting
the fleet to the Pacific. At this point he
turned to Representative John Sharp Will
lams, who was on the platform, and re-
marked: Il should like to say that we
have money enough to get the fleet to the
Pacific If the appropriation is then ex-
will depend upon another appropriation
being made
To Return to the Atlantic.
This utterance appeared to indicate a
purpose on the part of the President to
leave to Congress the final decision of
the question as to whether or not the bat
tleship fleet was to return to the east.
1t Is now asserted, however, that the
President has never intended to keep the
fleet permanently in the Pacific and that
not only does he intend to order the fleet
back to the Atlantic, but that unless his
present plans are changed that order
Will go forward to the admiral in COM
mand before the ships have been ninety
days on the Pacific's coast
Rear Admiral Evans, who will take
the fleet out to the Pacific, goes upon
the retired list next August That
would be just about the time that the
great ships are booked to start on
their trip to the Atlantic, If the re-
ported itinerary is unchanged. There
is precedent for the continuance in
command of a ship of retired naval
officer in time of war But it is not
recalled by naval officers that a rear
admiral has been continued in COM
mand of a fleet after the date set for
his retirement. 1t is entirely probable
that an exception may be made in the
case of Admiral Evans, and he may
command the battleship feet after his
retirement.
1T was stated at the Navy Department
today that the President feels absolutely
no apprehension respecting the posSibili-
ties of the war with Japan. and the short
stop of the fleet in the Pacific will demon
strate that the purpose of the cruise is to
test the capabilities of a modern battle
ship fleet under conditions almost as try
might be expected to arise in actual war
fare,
False Ideas About Japan.
1t was pointed out in an authoritative
quarter today that an erroneous impress
sion has obtained as to the enormous ac-
tivity Of the japanese in the matter of
war preparations, the purchase Of great
quantities of torpedoes and guns and
other war material. As matter of fact
while these reports have appeared from
time to time in the newspapers of this
country and especially in Europe, II
is learned that such information as the
| Washington authorities have been able to
obtain from careful and reliable agents,
after Investigation Of most of these re-
| ports, Is to the effect that Japan is not
| in the market as large purchaser OF
war material. but on the contrary. ap-
pears to be diligently pursuing the ways
Of peace and struggling to recuperate
from the exhausting effects Of her recent
war.