The sun., 1908-05-10
EVANS HAULS DOWN HIS FLAG
STARTS At ONCE FOR flashing
Ton -THOMiS COMUiNDS.

neiIrlng Admiral Is wheeled Into banquet
Hall 20 Make Speech That Stlrs Up
Enthusiasm -Parades In Oakland-Chil'
dren's Day-SaIute for the New Chltf.
! SAN Francisco, Cal, May 9.-The flag OF
! Rear Admiral Robley d. Evans was hauled
| down this morning, the guns Of tho Connecti-
! cut sauting. Admiral Thomas's flag was
! then hauled down on the Minnesota that
| vessel sahlting
A few minutes later Admiral Thomas's
flag was hoisted on the Connecticut and all
/ the vessels Of the combined fleets saluted It,
/ The Admiral thol and there became Com
mander-in-Chiei
This was Oakland day There was
parade Of blue jackets consisting OF half
/ the number that turned out in San Fran
cisco. There was also a turnout OF civic
and military bodies Secretary Metcalf and
Gov. Gllett reviewed the procession -Four
hundred officers took half day auto rides
as guests Of tho Oakland committee. This
was followed by dinner in the evening
II was chldrens day on the feet. From
ton TO twenty thousand youngsters swarmed
oil over the ships, and they had a great
time
Admiral Evans left for the East at
O'Clock this eyo9ing All San Francl'co is
talking Of his dramatic entry into the BAN
QUOT hall at the st. Francis Hotel last even
ing, when he electrified his hearers with
vigorous speech.
He was pushed into the room in rolling
chair by his son, Lieut. Taylor Evans, The
Admiral was wan and feoble, but when he
reached his place beside the Mayor he
struggled TO his feet, snapped his jaws to-
gether and then began to talk in short biting
sentences His eye was Gear and his voice
strong He told Of the cruise, Of his men
and Of the ships He spoke their thanks
for tho reception oil California had given
thcn. Homade bis hearers shout and cheer
wildly when he said. What this country
needs is more battleshirs and fewer states
men
WASHINGTON, May a-On March 10 last
while the battleship fleet was approaching
Magdalena Bay Admiral Evans asked
TO he relieved Of command OF the feet
on its arrival at Mag lalena Bay because
Of continued III health, In replying TO his
request for relief Secretary OF the Navy
Mctcalf said
The President regrets that you feel
Obliged to ask for detachment but your
services TO the country and TO the navy
constrain him to grant your request for
relief, which may be, as you suggest, on
your arrival at San Francisco or at an
earlier date il you so desire. He con-
graduates you on your successful voyage
TO the Pacific and hopes for the speedy
recovery Of your health.
Admiral Evans, under date Of March 10
sent the following message to the Depart
ment.
please convey my sincere thanks TO
the President for his gracious message.
| only ask for relief on the urgent represen-
tation Of the doctors that | should be re-
lieved After the reception ceremonies
for the fleet at San Francisco | would be
glad to haul down my flag
On April 20 last Secretary Metcali sent
a letter to Admiral Evans formally order
ing him to turn over the command OF the
Aeet TO Rear Admiral Thomas The letter
is as follows:
sSIR: Referring to the Departments
order Of March rs, 1908. directing you 10
proceed 10 your home, you will on the 9th
of Nav next regard yourself detached from
the command OF the United States Atlantic
feet, will turn over the command OF the
Acct to Rear Admiral Charles VI. Thomas.
Z. s. n, commanding the second squadron
of said fleet and will carry out the above
mentioned orders.
THE Department takes this occasion TO
congratulate you upon having brought TO
so successful termination this last duty
In your naval career afoat in command OF
the Atlantic feet on it's long voyage TO the
Pacific and commends you for the high
state of efficiency Of the command upon
the hauling down OF your flag
Admiral Evans sent the following ac-
Acknowledgement TO the Department.
"SIR: | have TO acknowledge the re-
oeipt this day OF the Departments orders
of April 20, 1908, detaohing me from COM
mand Of the Atlantic feet on May o. 1908,
and directing me TO proceed home.
Il desire TO express the pleasure which
il gives me to find in these official orders
the DEPARTMENTS congratulations upon
nv performance OF duty with this feet
and its commendation for the State OF eff-
cheney Of the feet and my appreciation OF
its action in expressing this congratulatlon
and commendation in the order which
brings TO an end my long service ahoat in
the navy Of my country
Admiral Evans has been placed on waiting
orders and will not be assigned TO any active
duty. He will be retired on August IS
next,