Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-02-04
UNCLE SAM SHOWS
some FORESIGHT
Squadrons on Pacific Ocean Are
TO be Consolidated Into
One Fleet.
NO RELATION TO Jap QUESTION
Particular Stress Laid on Tlat-War
Talk Received With Surprise
In Japan.

Chicago. Feb. IA dispatch to the
Tribune from Washington says:
Secy. Metcplf viii issue this week a
most important order. designed To in
crease the strategic effectiveness of the
American navy. He will consolidate
the squadrons now on the Pacific coast
and In Asiatic waters into one fleet un-
der the supreme command of Rear Ad-
mIral willard II. Browuson. This fleet
viii engege In comprehensive maneu-
vcTs. the object OF which will be the
protection of the Pacific slope aud our
Pacific dependencies IN case of war. 1t
is stated authoritatively there is no
connection whatever between the re-
organization of the navy in the Pacific
ocean and the controversy with Japan
over the san Francisco school question
and the exclusion OF the Japanese la
borers from this country. Indeed. the
general board OF service, the president
of which is Admiral Dewey. has been
considering for some time the steps
which should be taken to make more
effective the ships now in the Pacific.
1T is apparent TO any one who UNI
he an easy matter for the American
warships 10 be beaten the way they are
now stationed. There is squadron
consisting Of four protected cruisers,
two Of which are heavily arInored, two
Cunboats and FIVE torpedo-boat de-
stroyers. In Asiatic waters there are
four armored cruisers, two monitors.
five protected cruisers. a number of
gunhoats. division of five torpedo
boat destropers, and four others. Unit
ed. these would he match for any Of
the great powers having ships OIL the
Pacific, but they have proved force
which would have TO be looked after
one even moro formidable. and thus
would not he constituted a serious mem
ace To any plan OF campaign which
might be determined upon.
tSecy. Metcalf and the general board
do not propose. however. to permit the
American neet in the Pacific to be
weaker than a possible enemy. and
there Is reason to believe that before
many months have passed squadron
of battleships. numbering eight OF the
most modern vessels flying the Stars
end Stripes. viii be s.atsoned in the Pa
oiiic."
WAR TALK CAUSES SURPRISE.
Toxic. Feb 4. Monday-The war talk
of the American press has been received
here with great surprise, and sincere
regret. The correspondent of the Asso-
cated Press has talked with several
leading men both in and out of the gov
eminent. They concur in the opinion
that the United States is the last coun-
try with which Japan would go to WIFI.
Besides, both nations are unaggressive
III their trade rivalries. which seldom
lead to war unless territorial acquis-
ton is intended by either rival In Some
quarters the belief is expressed that the
MISREPRESENTATION that Iapun Is fer
ing from, on account of the san Fran
cisco school question. is the outcome OF
immunity shown disaffected war CORE
spondenis IN the late Russian war. 1t
is believed that these correspondents
are ever watching for occasion TO VIC
timize Japan. Even those inclined TO be
oaustic. ridiculc the idea OF war with
the United States The Japanese press
has been silent so far. apparently con-
sidering the matter unworthy of COM
ment
WAR uNTHINKABLE.
Toxic. Feb. 4.-Baron Koneko. for
merly special envoy to the United
States, In another statement made here
saws that war with the United States
is unthinkable.
"Thc Japanese understand America
better than the Americans understand
Japan" he said. "A great majority Of
the men nululUS puoIAC posltioHA heiS
We're educated by American instructors,
and have long studied American insti-
tutlons. Now, through the press and
otherwise they are helping the people
to appreciate the difficulty tho federal
government lies under in controlling
The action OF the individual states,
Hence, after the first phase of the seq
resation question, the people gained
coincidence IN the sympathy which a
great majority Of the Americans still
have toward Japan.
"Japans moral system insists that a
finger shall never be raised against a
beneractor Japan owes her position
among tho powers to America, The
American government and the people.
with England, arc Japan's best friends.
War is unthinkabe.'