The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1908-03-20
WASHINGTON LETTER.

AOu1NUlUN LII Lib
At last it has been officially settled how
the American battleship squadron is to
return to the Atlantic coast The pro-
gram was anEouuced in an official order
issued by Secretary Metcalf after one of
the cabinet meetings this week. The
fleet will come home by way Of Suez
Canal. This had been the general
understanding, but it has been decided
also that it shall visit the principal ports
of Australia in response 10 specific iuvi.
tation from the British government con-
veyed to the President by Ambassador
Bryce. The British Foreign Office on the
suggestion of King Edward sent court
eous note 10 the President seconding the
invitation that had already been issued
by the Commonwealth Of Australia forthe
feet to visit the island continent. So the
program has been arranged. The battle
ships will remain on the Pacific Coast,
visiting the various seaboard cities till
July 9th, when they will wind up for the
carnival at San Francisco. Then they
will shape their course east Admiral
Evans will retire for age in August, so
there will he another commander chosen
to bring the squadron home. The vessels
will first stop at Hawaii, go thence to
Samoa, and then to Australia. At just
what ports they will touch has not yet
been determined, but there will certainly
be a round Of visits and entertainments.
From Australia they will go to the Phil
ippines, touching first at Manila and then
at some Of the other ports. After leaving
the Philippines the voyage will be strict
ly a business one. No more entertain
ments will be scheduled, and the
squadron will make only such brief stops
as will be necessary for coal. This, as
has before been intimated, will be to-
avoid the risk of trouble If any exchange
of Inequalities should be attempted with
Japan. aud the social feature of the visit
at other points will be omitted SO that
there will not be too marked discrimi-
nation against the Mikados country.
The fleet has made great record for
itself so far The ships reached Magda-
lena Bay on the coast of Mexico this week
four daysS ahead of schedule time. Ad
miral Evans reported to the Navy De
partment on arrival that the squadron
was 'ready for any service anywhere al
an hours notice y This was achieve
ment, especially in view of the fact that
before the squadron started there were
dire predictions that if the voyage was
made that all the vessels would limp into
their last port in need Of immediate and
extensive repairs before they would pc III
for service of any kind, Such prophets
might have saved their predictions, re-
Numbering the notable cruise OF the
Oregon during the Spanish war. II will
be recalled that she made the run from
San Francisco to Key West. coaled and
then went on the blockade at Santiago
and subse quently into battle without even
looking at dock yard or machine shop
This was thought at the time to be a
phenomenal performance, and it was
record up to that date. But now the
same thipghas been done with squadron
of sixteen battleships and they have re-
ported at Magdalena Bay ahead of time
aud are already at target practice.
The political aspects of the voyage have
been no less satisfactory. The ships have
been welcomed and the officers and men
entertained in all the South American
ports they have touched. There has not
been single regrettable incident to re-
port, and it can truly be said that the
officers and men have left nation of
good friends behind them wherever they
have visited. There is no denying that
they cannot hope tojbetter this record in
Australia, and they may find it hard to
live up to, but ii is TO be hoped for the
honor of the American navy and of the
American people that they will try ard
will succeed.
~
1t has been settled that the Sherman
Antitrust Law is 10 be revised. There
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