The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-05-15
Returning Commander IN
terviewed on Last Lap of
Trip Across Continent.
PEACEFUL BOB"
TO BE NEW NAME
Our Ships Are Good Ships" He
Says-WiIl Make Home in
Washington

- will he ready for duty in a week o.,
ten DAYS at any place the Navy Depart
ment sees III 20 send me. i am much
improved in health. and much better
than anyone believes The newspaper
stories regarding my condition have
been overdrawn.'
These were Admiral Evans first words
as he came into Washington late vester-
day afternoon, after a hve days l0grney
across the continent from San Francis
CO. while the admirars face bears evi-
dence OF his severe illness and his sut-
fering. he is looking much better than
those who went TO meet him anticipated.
Ills indomitable spirit was as much
IT, evidence yesterday as Il ever was.
and although the admiral will probably
never again resume active and eXacting
duties under the Navy Department he
announced with great vehemeI-ce that
he would sooa be ready for anything.
Reports Of Illness 0yerdrawn-
From the way those newspaper fell
lows have written about nay hea In.
said the admiral. the public must think
that 1 look like the shadow Of a lost
-A't-- ~ "HiA-Fa people nave DcrN
frightened about me. But It's all wrong
am. Of course. mighty tired or ,his ear.
and the journey, like all such journeys
are, was tedious. but / feel much i'm
proved and better than 1 have for
months"
The admiral talked freely with a ren-
resentative OF The Washington Times.
who met his train and came into Wash
ington IN the admirars car. Admiral
Evans found some difficulty and dis
comfort Ia shouting above the roar OF
the train. which he said had been so
constant that his ears were going ike
the buzz of an electric motor.
Mrs, Evans. and the rest OF the party,
including ATs. Marsh. the admiral s
daug liter. his son, Lieut. Frank T.
EFansi his aids, Lieut.. CUmdr lJyL r.
CAandleri his flag lieutenant Lieut.
$ mares n lIain. and his pbysie Ian.
d. Mcdonnell, were all IN good hesIrh
ard spirits They all gathered fn fha .ob-
AeFFat9n car and chatted Ou. the run he
tween Baltimore and Washington Mrs.
I 2lctulfe, Airs. e ans sister. and hrs
Iiefardi, wife uf Lieutenant Com
mander Gherardi, ard a niece M Mrs
hFaAs, Joined The party az Baltimore.
Nouns Little Grandson.
Admiral Evans grief at the death of
mis- little grandson, RObley Evans sew
ell. was pathetic During ali the .ouz
trip 10 Washington he thought OF the
little fellow, who was his constant com
panion while ne was In Washington.
Il had big hopes for the boy" said
Admiral Evans, and II was my wish
that he should keep up the Evans line
Of succession In the navy. i was not
told Of his death until v-e were on the
train and well out Of san Francisco. 1t
upset me a great deal
AS the train drew nearer TO Washing
ton the admiral reverted 20 the thought
that mis- little sailor man would not be
there 10 greet him. and keep him COM
pany, and he was deeply moved.
Il viii make my home IN Washing
/ ton the admiral said, and viii re-
main here after my retirement. Wash
ingJOn has always been home 70 me. no
matter now many years i was at sea.
and now that l can appreciate and en-
JOY IL 10 the fullest extent / am GER
! tainly not going TO abandon IT, All the
associations OF home life for me are IN
Washington. II Is probable that during
the heat OF the Washington summers ]
viii 60 North for a few months ! have
not determined where, but il may pos
sibly be Barnstable, Mass.
Reluctant to Leave Fleet.
A rest will be weIconoed by me. and
the anticipation Of being quietly at
I home with my family for a time at
/ least is most pleasant. ] told them in
/ Chicago that I was prepared to become
/ Peaceful Bob but I viii have TO admit
that II was with great reluctance that
/ left the fleet, ! should liked 10 have
/ st we'd with It, at least until my retire
u, nt. and l have to console myself with
tn. idea that ] did at least my share.
. Yes il is a great cruise, the admiral
Pm animated with a tar-aWay expression,
lone Of the greatest in the history or
/ the world. and IL has been successful
/ yerv successful. Our ships are good
sbfDs and we have fine fleet. bat IL
should be enlarged. The vessels of no
| other navy nave stood the stress Of So
I long a cruise, ana that cruise was ac-
comnlished without a serious breakdown
or injury.
+ The admiral was tco wearied and de-
pressed by his loss and the long rido In
/ the railroad coach 10 llscuss me merits
] of battlesbip construction, ana ne Went
Z i,,tO no detail. Contentlng himself with
/ the simple statement, our ships are
good ships" He also avOldeu saying
/ anvfhiD. of the recommendation in Con-
/ cress several months ago thf.t the grade
I Of vice admiral be created fCE him on
4 the cruise. He expressed hlmseu as
/ baDpv in the receptions given him by
/ tie American people, saying that lao
man could wish more than the admlla-
/ lion ard respect Of '.te people of the
/ United states, and mat Ia was content.
VIII Retire August Is.
Admiral Evans will retire from the
| service after his long and brilliant
career, August IS. as rear admiral
/ He said on the train yesterday that he
yvas sorry his active service had t.
/ terminate and that when the time came
| for his retirement his health would
he entirely restored
7 have no intention now OF doing any
writing" he said, but viii. as I told
/ Won. remain quietly at home. 1 do not
/ know what I will do before I retire
that is entirely up to the Navy Depart
| rpent- / am ready to execute any
orders [ receive. II is improbable thai
/ I viii be given any more sea duty, but
II am / viii be ready to 90"
| Despite the admirais willingness and
his desire 10 give his country the ful
| benefit of his services so long as he
can it is improbable THAI he will be
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