The Washington times., 1907-08-08
ArmOTed Vessels Mo-
biliZing at Mare Is
land Yard.
Admiral Evans to Join
1t Later With Bat
tleShipS.

OG4 kllSIllS ICfCl@a.l4.S WEE UldQE
today through the disclosure Of the
/ well-guarded plans Of President
Roosevelt and Secretary of the
Navy Metcalf, with the support Of
| Admiral Dewey and the other men,
berS Of the general board Of the
navy, to begin at once TO mobilize in
Pacific coast waters the most power
| ful cruiser fleet ever known any,
where in the world, in addition to
the Atlantic fleet under Rear Ad-
miral Evans, the announcement Of
whose trip TO the Pacific caused a
national sensation a few weeks $50.
Orders have been issued for al
most the entire cruiser strength Of
the Asiatic squadron to be brought
across the Pacific; two new monster
cruisers viii shortly be ready for
service; the St. Louis is now making
her way up the west coast and the
Washington and Tennessee viii start
out 10 join them before the close Of
August.
Sixteen Big Cruisers.
In accordance with the plans, which
have been under way for several weeks,
il now develops. Secretary Ne1calrs
former constituents living on the Pa
ciic coast. will have the opportunity OF
viewing sixteen modern and capable
fighting ships-eight OF the worlds big
gest armored cruisers and an equal
number OF formidable protected cruisers
before Rear Admiral Evans sails out
from Hampton Roads with his sixteen
monster battleships 10 Join them
These plans-1he transfer Of the Al
lantic feet TO the Pacific and the mo-
Western coast Of the United States.
augmented by half dozen new ar
mOred crUisers-Call for the COncen-
tratIon OF what will doubtless prove to
be the most formidable array OF war
ships OF any one nation ever assembled
together In time Of peace. In fact,
when Admiral Evans arrives or San
Francisco he viii be welcomed b. Rear
powerful fleet, which viii be almost as
strong IN aggregate tonnage and number
OF heavy guns as the great battleship
fleet
Plan Creates Surprise.
The plans promise 10 create as much
OF q stir throughout the world as the
announcement, published originally IN
The Times. OF the decision Of the Gov
eminent TO transfer the Atlantic fleet
to the Pacific. So much attention has
been devoted TO the prospective dispatch
OF the Atlantic fleet aSound South Amer
lea that the disposition and Increase OF
the Pacific fleet has been entirely over
looked
The significance OF sending the cruiser
St. Louis around alone. ahead OF the
other ships. and OF sending the Wash
ington and Tennessee so far ahead OF
the battIeship fleet IS now disclosed. Re
ports are already making their way 10
the Navy Department from Commander
Usher. Of the St. Louis, describing the
The ST. Louis IS making
q leisurely journey, however, for the
purpose OF observation. but the Wash
ingtOn and Tennessee will endeavOr 10
demonstrate the lowest time limit pos
sible IN making the Journey from Hamp-
ton Roads 10 Mare Island.
Rear Admiral Sebree. who has been
specially designated to command these
two cruisers en- route. viii follow up the
observations OF Commander Usher, and
doubtless arrangements VIII be COM
pleted at all the principal ports for
coaling- Already. II develops. merchant
ships are either being dispatched or en-
gagged 10 be dispatched at an early date
with cargoes OF coal. 20 be shipped
lstensibly 10 Mare Island, but In reality
10 Rio de Janeiro, Punta Arenas at the
70 the Straits OF Magellan, and
Valparaiso
Reason for Mobilization.
One OF the reasons ascribed by Navy
Department officials for the mobiliza-
ion OF the two big fleets in the Pacific
5 that Il viii give Opportunity for Ad-
niral Evans 10 realize desire he has
cherished for long time-to go through
'attle tactics with the largest possible
orce OF modern warships This Will
i've him opportunity 10 see what the
'ig armored cruisers, which are larger
So to Atlantic City or Cape May
nd return Ever Trtgax- a1S S,.-,-s