The Monte Vista journal., 1908-08-22
FlHoTINo eos LEAVES THE SER
VICE At AGE OF sixrY.TWo
YEARS.
BIRTHDAY GATHERING
SERVED LONGER THAN ANY
OTHER REAR ADMIRAL IN
THE NAVY.

warships and the sea, where he spent
nearly half a century In the service
of his country. Rear Admiral Robley D.
Evans Of the United States navy, who
Is at this quiet mountain hotel. reached
the age limit Of sixty.two years Tues.
day and passed from the ranks Of the
country's active sea fighters.
His has been the longest service, but
two years short Of half century, OF
any man who has reached the office
OF rear admiral in the United States
navy.
All through the day the hotel was
thronged with admirers OF Fighting
Bob" eager to congratulate him on the
sixty-second birthday and to wish him
many more happy and useful years.
Telegrams by the score reached him
from all parts of the country. all ex.
pressing felicitation and affection for
the man who has done so much to build
up the American navy.
Many Of the messages brought de-
lighted smiles to the admiral's face,
while others brought Just a suspicion
Of moisture to his eyes. The telegram
in particular which caused Fighting
Bob" many smiles came from an old
friend In Washington and said:
For some Of us, skipper. your flag
will always n.y."
Sailors. soldiers. statesmen and civil.
ians. In fact every walk in life. was
represented In the great outpouring Ut
messages which came to him today.
In reply TO friend who asked the
Admiral how he felt on his sixty-sec-
ond birthday. he replied CHARACTERISED.
cally:
FIT As q fiddle. I am sixty.two years
young to-day and I expect to reach a
hundred. I am taking on flesh at the
rate OF half = pound day. and have
not got q thing to do but loaf. Who
would not get well under such cir
cumstances!"
Asked regarding the probable effect
OF the cruise OF the fleet around the
world which he commanded from
Hampton Roads to San Francisco Nhe
first stage Of the long journey. the ad.
miral said that he believed Its infiu.
ence was already being felt. That the
cruise would add more than mere pres
tige to the United States a. q world
power. the Admiral asserted In NO un.
certain tones. He said It was the
greatest disappointment Of his life that
he WAS unable to keep the command At
least until he could visit Japan. where
he had great many friends among the
statesmen Of that country.
Questioned In regard TO the war talk
between the two countries, the Admiral
said that there would never be any
war unless the United States forced II
upon Japan. He said the japanese are
sensitive people and the greatest III.
tie fighters In the world. and II II NOT
wise policy to annoy them too much.
The formal celebration In honor Of
the Admiral took place this evening IN
the large parlors Of the Mountain no
tel. Tho room vas gally decorated
with American flags. but the feature
which attracted the attention Of every.
body was . battle SCARED flag which
the Admiral carried on the Iowa during
the battle with the Spanish fleet 1t
Santiago. Albert X. Smiley Introduced
~ presiding officer Of the ceremonies
J. Edward 6ymmonds Of New York.
Mr.. 6ymmonds believer . eulogy OF the
Admiral.
A large number Of letters from men
distinguished In public and private life
were then read by Mr.. Symmouds. That
from the President follows:
my Dear Mr.. 6ymmonds:-l thank
you for your kind Invitation. Il II
not possible for me 70 accept. much
to my regret. Through you may
convey to the guests assembled my
cordial sympathy with their purpose,
and TO Rear Admiral Robley d. Evans.
10 particular let me renew the assur.
ance OF the high regard and esteem
which he already knows hold for him.
His has been one Of the most hon.
orablc careers OF our public service.
In = peculiar degree his name typi.
fies the growth Of our navy from the
days II Farra9ut to the day when Al.
mirnl Evans himself brought into tho
Pacific waters the mightiest war fleet
that had ever appeared west Of Ma.
Ke1lan or east q Sues. commansiing
this feet during the first period Of 9
voyage such ~ no other flest Of the
kind Of any nation has ever taken.
II 70 smiusnuy Appropriate that The
reception 10 Admiral Evans should bs
gtvsn IN what you we'll cali Z vsri.
table temple Of peace for the United
States navy 70 The best guarantee
q peace Ne have. aad al meo VIA
believe 10 the pseee q juelice through.
cut he world SHOULD 70. sveey tAine
tAat 10 them lee % maloeaia ed
bsald ~ this navy"