The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-10-26
FOR CRUISE
OF PACIFIC FLEET
Great Squadron Will Remain
There for Only About
Ninety Days.
REAL PURPOSE OF CRUISE
Test OF Capabilities OF the Battle
ships Under Trying Condi-
tons Desired.
REAL PURPOSE OF CRUISE

WASHINGTON, D. c., October 20
The Presidents return to this city has
served to renew the discussion OF the
'~advlsahiifty of the transfer of the bat
'tleship fleet from the Atlantic to the
Pacific coast under existing and pro-
conditions. Nava. officers here
have had their attention directed to
the remarks of the President in the
course OF his recent speech at Nicks-
burg. bearing upon the fleet movement,
as representing the present state OF
mind OF the Chief Executive upon that
subject. It is recalled that the Presi-
answer the criticism he said he had
observed in some quarters that he
was exceeding the appropriation avail
able for coal in getting the fleet to
the Pacific. AT this point. he turned
to Representative John Sharp VIII
liams, who was on the platform, and
remarked: II should like to say that
We have money enough to get the fleet
to the Pacific. IL the appropriation is
then exhausted the question of getting
1t back will depend upon another APP
preparation 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 ina decision
OF the question a. to whether or not
the battleship fleet was to return to
the East.
It Is now asserted. however. that
the President has never intended to
keep the fleet permanently In the Pa
icihc. 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 command before the
ships have been ninety days on the
Pacific 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. II the re-
ported itinerary is unchanged
There is precedent for the contin-
uance in command OF a ship OF a
retired naval officer In time of war.
But 1t Is not recalled by naval Off
GERS that a rear-admiral has been
continued in command OF a fleet af-
ter the date set for his retirement. 1t
is entirely probable that an excep-
ton may be made In the case of Ad-
miral Evans, and he may command
the battieship fleet after his retire
ment.
1t was stated at the navy Depart
ment to-day that the President feels
absolutely no apprehension respecting
the possibilities of the war with la
pan. and the short stop of the fleet
in the Pacific will demonstrate that
the purpose OF the cruise is to test
the capabilities of a modern battle
ship fleet under conditions almost as
trying in the point OF endurance at
leasts.a as might be expected to arise
In actual warfare.
False IDEAS About Japan.
1t was pointed out In an authorize
tive quarter to-day hat an erroneous
Impression has obtained as to the
enormous activity of the japanese In
purchase OF great quantities of torpe-
does and guns and other war material.
AS a matter OF fact. while these re-
ports have appeared from time to time
lin the newspapers of this country and
especially in Europe. 1t Is learned that
such information al the Washington
authorities nave been able to obtain
from careful and reliable agents, at
ter Investigation OF most of these re-
ports. is to the effect that Japan is,
mot In the market as a large purchaser
OF war material. but on the contrary,
appears to be diligently pursuing the
ways OF peace and struggling to recu..
perate from the ~eShausting effects OF
her recent war.