The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1907-11-12

ANYHOW
ROOSEVELT SAYS THERE is
MONEY TO GET FLEET HERE
BUT NOT FOR RETURN

WASHINGTON, October 25.-The
Star says The Presidents return to
this city has served to renew the dis
cussion of the advisability Of the trans
fer of the battleship fleet from the At
lantic to the Pacific coast under exist
ing and prospective conditions. Naval
officers here have had their attention
directed to the remarks of the Prest-
dent in the course of his recent speech
at Vicltsburg, bearing upon the fleet
movement, as representing the present
state of mind of the chief executive
upon that subject 1t is recalled that
the President took occasion in his re-
marks to answer the criticism he said
he had observed in some quarters that
he was exceeding the appropriation
available for coal in getting the fleet
to the Pacific. At this point, ne turn
ed to Representative John Sharp Will
liams, who was on the platform, ana
we have money enough to get the fleet
to the Pacific. If the appropriation
is then exhausted the question of get
ting it back will depend upon another
appropriation being made"
This utterance appeared To indicate
a purpose on the part of the President
to leave to Congress the final decision
Of the question as to whether or not
the battleship fleet was to return to
the east.
1t is now asserted, however, that the
President has never intended to keep
the fleet permanently in the Pacific,
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's 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, if the reported
itinerary is unchanged. There is pre-
cedent for the continuance in command
of a ship of retired naval officer in
time of war. But it is not recalled by
naval officers that a rear admiral has
been continued in command of a fleet
after the date set for his retirement.
It is entirely probable that an ex-
ception may be made in the case of Ad-
miral Evans, and he may command the
battleship fleet after his retirement
1t was stated at the Navy Depart
ment today that the President feels
absolutely no apprehension respecting
the possibilities of the war with Japan,
and the short stop of the fleet in the
Pacific will demonstrate that the pur-
pose of the cruise is to test the cap
abilities of modern battleship fleet
under conditions almost as trying in
the point of endurance at least as
might be expected to arise In actual
warfare.
1t was pointed out in an authorita-
tive quarter today that an erroneous
impression has obtained as to the enor-
nous activity of the Japanese in the
matter of war preparations, the pur-
chase of great quantities of torpedoes
and guns and other war material. AS
matter of fact while these reports
have appeared from time to time in the
newspapers of this country and espe-
cially in Europe, it is learned that such
information as the Washington author
tiles have been able to obtain from
careful and reliable agents, after in
vestigation of most of these reports,
is to the effect that Japan is not in the
market as large purchaser of war
material, but on the contrary, appears
to be diligently pursuing the ways of
peace and struggling to recuperate
from the eXhausting effects of her re-
cent war