The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-07-26
MAY AWAIT CRISIS,

A Washington dispatch to the
Brooklyn Eagle says:
EIt would occasion no great sur
prise to well~informed naval officers
if the Atlantic fleet were not to un-
dertake the spectacular trip around
the Horn and into the Pacific after
all. 4 suspicion is growing that the
administration had accomplished the
purpose it had in stating that the ex-
pedition would sail, and that unless a
crisis should develop in our relations
with Japan the fleet will probably
maneuver in Atlantic waters, as usual.
this winter.
It was the original intention of the
general board, which planned the en-
tire maneuver, to have the fleet sail
late in August, or as soon as all the
war ships had been put in good con-
dition at the navy yards. The latest
official announcement on the subject
was that the usual target practice
would be held in the late summer, and
then the armada, under Admiral Ev-
ans would start on it's long journey.
No defeinite day was set for the fleet
to move. This leaves the whole thing
open for further vague announce
ments regarding the departure.
"The administration has paved the
way for dispatching the fleet to the
Pacific at any time in the future with
out furnishing an excuse for sensa-
tion," said a high naval officer. eff
the present differences between the
United States and Japan should be
smoothed out and the jingo talk die
away. it is doubtful whether the fleet
will be sent On the long and expensive
Journey to the Pacific. The trip was
planned because of the ugly japanese
situation. which had many elements
of danger in it. That is the absolute
fact, all talk to the contrary notwlth-
standing. With the removal OF these
danger signs there will be no neces-
sitv for the expedition.
'On the other hand, should the
diplomatic relations continue strained
and crisis approach, the department
could issue orders for the transfer OF
the fleet to the Pacific and then say
that the act was in line with the policy
announced on July +. I think the
policy Of the administration has been
exceedingly wise in spite Of the pub
lie criticism. The announced inten-
ton to send the fleet around the
Horn may never be carried out, but It
is on record as an insurance against
trouble in the future.'
In connection with the threat to
send Admiral Evans's fleet to the
Pacific it is recalled that the navy de-
partment once before had occasion to
make a big bluff Of this kind to avert
an attack from hostile fleet. 1t was
during the war with Spain, shortly
after Admiral Dewey had captured
Manila. and was in more or less OF a
ticklish position, because Of being so
far from the main portion Of the
American fleet.
Spain had one or two battleshipS
near completion and hurried them IN
to service, Admiral Camera was given
command Of the little squadron, with
orders to proceed at once to Manila
and attack Dewey. As Dewey had no
Eattleships much concern was mani
tested when the Spanish vessels got
under way and started for the Phil
ippines.
One day Admiral Crowninshield,
who was then chief of the bureau OF
navigation Of the navy department:
tackled up the following announcement
on the department bulletin: "lf Ad-
miral Cameras fleet passes through
the Suez canal en- route to the Philip
pines, a fleet Of American vessels will
at once sail for Spain and attack the
Spanish coast.' The department was
not in position to spare ships for an
expedition of this kind, because Ad-
miral Cervera had not been accounted
for. But the bluff worked perfectly.
Cameras fleet Was stopped at The
mouth Of the Suez( and after loafln%
there several weeks, turned and