New-York tribune., 1908-08-19
EVANS TALKS OF JAPAN
Has NO FE4R OF VAR.
.S0gs United States Would Vim an
Confict-Need of Larger Nary.
ny Telegraph to III. Tribune. ]


,cteristic emphasis and positiveness that the
navy of the United States was superior TO
that OF Japan ard tina in the improbable event
of q war between the two nations the people
of this country could rest secure IN the knowl-
edge that they have a navy fully capable OF
maintaining their supremacy.
That there will be such a seems absurd
and preposterous to Admiral Evans.
why. the people of Japan have - much
common sense to go TO war with us, and we
have TOO much forbearance to force them into a
aght" he exclaimed Despite what some lurid
newspapers say and despite the harm they do.
there won't be any war between Japan and our
selves-not for the present, anyhow
Il believe" said Admiral Evans. that at pres
ent our navy could defeat that of JaE@n- The
craftsmanship of gunners is unquestionably
superior 10 that of the japanese. We can shoot
better than they can. but the reason for this can
be readily seen. Compare the amount of money
this country can and does expend annually on
giving its sailors target practice with the
amount Japan can and does eXpend for the same
purpose. You viii how much more we
spend: consequently. how much more practice
our gunners are able TO get Japan hasn't got
the money TO spend target practice that We
have; she can't afford it. This. then. is one ma
terisl reason why We are superior in gunman-
ship to the japanese. But what fine gunners
we have,"
Admiral officer to officer, enlisted man to en-
listed man. don't you consider the personnel of
our navy superior TO that of Japan?'
JAPANESE Equal AS FIGHTERS.
al do not" he answered. LAS fighting peo-
ple I consider the japanese unexcelled by any
ueople in the world. They have magnificent
courage They fight intelligently and die with
ont fear in their hearts. No, If man for man our
sailors equal those OF Japan they viii do all that
can be asked OF them, for in fearlessness and
courage the japanese is unexcelled. You may
sink their sfips-you'n have TO, TO win. for they
never surrender. Before Japanese will haul
down his flag his ship will be lying fathoms deep
under water. and he-dead"
The admiral further said that Japan's atti-
tude toward China was greatly misunderstood
in this country; that it not her desire to
colonize China but that she merely wanted TO
have hand in directing her policies. He said
the only interest the United States should have
in China was to maintain the open door.
Further than that the United States could not
expect to gain anything he declared.
The United States is in duty bound to main
tain a large navy, he declared He had always
held that the best guarantee Of perpetual peace
was TO be SO strong that other nations would
be afraid 10 attack
I'VE should have twenty-four battleships in
both the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans said
the admiral Sixteen of these should be in
commission In each ocean all the time, with
eight held in reserve
Admiral Evans thought for few moments,
gazing out into space. apparently lost in medita-
ton "Of course he began abruptly, Il am
talking Of the two navies as they are now
Whether our navy could defeat the Mikados
ten years from now I don't know and won't
make any predictions. 1t depends entirely
Of 417o fz1-0 T79-
tions"
Then the question of speed in construction
work suggested itself. and Rear Admiral Evans
said:
The japanese seem TO have a wonderful
facility for building battleships rapidly. They
build much more quickly than we do Why, it
was not long ago that of their cruisers was
completed within a year of the laying Of her
keel But 1 think if there was any necessity
for it We could build ships more rapidly
than do now
When asked If he thought there posi-
bility that this country might become engaged
in another war within the near future, Admiral
Evans said there was nothing TO indicate any
such happening.
There are no war clouds the horizon
now" he said. WAR is a serious thing. and
class of men recognize its seriousness better
than do naval officers
rs it your opinion that any wars which the
United States might engage in in the future
would be decided more on sea than Iand?"
Undoubtedly" he replied. ''in future wars
much Will depend on sea fighting. The battle
ground primarily will be the sea. Before land
fighting begins sea fighting must have been
pretty well decided. for the navy of one country
or the other viii have TO establish and keep
open lines OF communication for invading
armies
RATTLESHIPS OF THE FUTURE
Admiral Evans sat on chair in a little bal
cony leading out from his rooms at the Lake
aohonk Mountain House. The leg which has
given him trouble almost constantly since he
Vas wounded in leading an assault upon the
torJifcations OF Fort Fisher. in 1861 rested on a
ramp stool, and the foot was wrapped in ban
bages He said he felt better than he had for
long time. and was gaining in weight. His every
movement suggested virility, force, decision. As
visitor at the hotel put il:
Admiral Evans looks to-day if he fit
TO command a feet and fight it to a glorious
victory"
1 am sixty-two years young to-day" said he,
smilngly. in response TO frequent congratula-
lions and wishes for many, many happy re-
turns" During his stay at the Mountain House
ht has had two operations performed to remove
chalky substance which has gathered in his
Injured foot
He did not look for any radical change in the
construction or type of battleships in the near
future "I think said h that they will keep
on building battleships Of the Dreadnought type
until they get up TO building ships of $4,000
tons don't think any larger battleships than
mat will be built, because when you build them
larger than that they are too large TO handle
levh s-faIdr