The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-07-06
FIRST BOLD STROKE
BY THE PRESIDENT /
Movement Of Warships to Pacific
Not Without Important
Il, Meaning.
1EMR. LoEB's WEAK DENIAL
Much Speculation as to Why
Fleet Will BE Sent to New
Waters.
ny >yALrEl, EDWARD HARRIS.

WASHINGTON. d. c., july 5.-The
admission by Secretary Metcalf, OF the
Navy Department, that the Atlantic
fleet Is to be sent into Pacific waters
within short time Is simply con
lnrmntion of the story published early
this week, and denied in half-hearted
manner by Assistant Secretary New
berry. and in the most unequivocal
fashion by Secretary Loeb 1t Is being
freely said here to-day, In view. OF the
jstatement from Secretary Metcalf, that
MR. Loeb is richly equipped for mem
bership in the Presidents hnnanias
Club. but 1t Is doubtful whether the
distinction will be conferred upon him.
III 1t Is recognized that the determines
ton to send the fleet to the Pacific. q
stronger than any other nation. not
4 excepting England, has there at the
"A present time, must be regarded as
notice to the world that 1t lis the
policy of America to occupy at least
zone Of the first places In the develop
ment Of trade in those countries bor-
.lering on the greatest Of the oceans.
The ordering OF the battleship fleet
i to the Pacific Is also taken to mean
Athe practical settlement of the ques-
ton OF Japanese immigration. and
}pther questions growing out OF bar
room fights between hoodlums and
& Japanese In San Francisco. 1t is the
first bold stroke the President has
made In connection with the more or
less friendly discussion OF internation-
Val questions with the Japanese gov
crnment. 1t is not believed that any
more will be necessary OF course. the
ways OF the Oriental diplomatist arc
devious and dark to diplomatists OF
the s.Occident, but Ambassador Aoki
rather FASTENED to say when It was
first announced that the vessels were
to he sent to the Pacific that Japar
would not regard such orders as being
In the least menacing or unfriendiy
1t is shrewdly suspected that the am
bassador knew at the time that such
course had been decided upon. al
though Mr.. Loeb and Assistant Score
tary Newberry were denying 1t.
One Motive Probably.
And there exists the further sus
picion that the feet is being sent t
the California coast in return for tn
hearty support which the member
and Senator's from California gave tn
President last year when he was fight
.5f ing the San Francisco school official
and the efforts to keep the Japs out o
the public schools OF that city. To
man they stood with the executive. !
Is not to be thought that politician
would risk SO much in opposing a
overwhelming public sentiment with
out quid pro quo. In this case
appears to have been orders to sen
sixteen battlsships and eight cruiser
into Pacific waters. where they ma
serve the double purpose of entertain
ing the people of Oakland and Sa
Francisco. and showing to Japan Thu
II she wants trouble her wishes ca
sbe gratified.
1t Is thought the sending Of til
feet to the California coast will caus
all opposition to disappear to the rat
= 1cation of the treaty with Japan b
which her lahorers are not to be a
lowed to come to this country. The,
has been intense opposition to tn
treaty because 1t also provided tn;
American laborers should not be a
lowed to go to Japan, not that ar
were likely TO want to do 80. but
was regarded as q vicious principle Il
permit any nation to prohibit q
American workingnan from enterir
Its domain.
1t looks very much like that the al
thorities at Washington and the a,
thorities at Toxic had an understan
ing regarding the sending Of the file
to the Pacific. It is prett well a
sured that 1t will not cause trouble.