Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-05-15

that makes good work difficult and the
ships are suffering in consequence.
The work that could be done with the
reduced forces, the executive officers
declare is seriously interfered with by
the presence Of thousands of sight
seers aboard. The visiting here has
been enormous and some excursion
boats as large as Mississippi river
packets have been run alongside the
Connecticut and Minnesota, the most
popular of the battleships in the har-
Dor, and have unloaded perfect swarms
of people on the forward and quarter
decks.
Must Begin Again
The officers realize the value of hav-
ing the public see and become interest
ed in the navy, and they are very hos
pitable in their welcome to them, but
at the same time the disadvantages OF
interrupted work and discipline on such
a long tour Of merrymaking as the
past month has afforded stand out
forcibly in the minds of the men who
are responsible for efficiency and ac-
complishments. Some of the captains
and executive officers declare 1t may
be necessary to begin all over again
with the crews on the lines mapped out
when the fleet sailed from Hampton
Roads last December, when the reor-
ganized squadrons start from San
Francisco on July for their tour of
the world.
The never ending series Of entertain
ments provided for the officers have at
times practically robbed the fleet of
the presence of it's commissioned force.
1t is no longer an unusual condition
for a lone watch officer to sit at the
head of an empty ward room table
where ordinarily there should be from
twenty-five to thirty of his shipmates
at the mess. The entertainments all
have been exceptionally attractive. and
coming at single port would have
been intensely enjoyed.
Functions Lose Charm
But in the mass OF social activities,
day after day, they have lost their
charm, and 1t is only under detail that
officers attend the nowadays func-
lions.
They go to teas, receptions. ETC., just
as they go about any other duties, and
on most of the ships the officers have
divided themselves into divisions to
take turns about in meeting the ext
gency of the entertainments provided
for them. A striking illustration of the
faded condition Of the men was fur
nshed few nights ago at dinner
of naval academy graduates. The din
ner took place far down the coast
and awakened the greatest anticipation
in the combined fleets. In San Fran
cisco harbor there are perhaps thou
sand Annapolis men. When the even
ing of the dinner arrived. however,
only seventy officers put in an appear
ance. The admirals of the fleet and
the captains have had to bear a large
share of the burden imposed by the
festivities and the entertainments of
the committees all along the coast
have been relentless in their pursuit OF
the men of higher ranks fnasmuch as
the captains nearly all are men well
along toward their sixties. the late
hours and constant strain have worked
an apparent hardship.
Officers one night last week were
not able to leave official banquets and
return to their ships until well after 8
o'clock in the morning, were required
to turn out at a. m. and parade. go
to a picnic a dinner and dance, re-
turning to their ships again at 2 o'clock
the next morning, then they found de-
tails awaiting them for midday func-
lions planned by hospitable but per-
haps unthinking hosts.
Rests in Bathtub
A high marine officer recalled the re-
mark of Napoleon to his shipmates
that cold bath was as good as four
hours sleep and declared that two
baths a day was the best he had been
able to rest in nearly week.
Rear Admiral Charles M. Thomas
has been the storm center of the en-
PERTAINING and has been most gracious
to his hosts everywhere. No matter
how late his presence has been re-
quired the night before, he has been
punctuality itself at the next days
functions with a smiling word of ap-
probation for the reception of the men
and officers alike by the people of the
city. The admiral, however. cannot
conceal the pleasure with which he
looks forward to the relief that will
be his with the hauling down of his
flag of command from the battleship
Connecticut tomorrow forenoon. Ad-
miral Thomas will not retire until Oc-
tober next, but he is stepping aside at
this time in order to enable Admiral
Sperry, who is to take command, to
organize his staff and make his plans
for the remainder of the cruise while
the ships are still in port.