The San Francisco call., 1908-03-07
HURRY CRUISERS
TO ATLANTIC IS /
URGENT ORDER.
Navy Department Issues an
Emergency Call for
Warstips
Vessels Not Yet Attached TO
Evans Fleet Must Sail
at Once
Venezuela and Germany Are the
Objects of Interest to
Federal Officials
SPECIAL DIsPArcH TO The CALL

SPECIAL DISPATCH To THE CALL
WASHINGTON. March Sit be-
came known in official circles today
that word has been sent to the Pacific
coast to dispatch several of the war
ships not attached TO Admiral Evans
feet TO the Atlantic seaboard with the
least possible delay. The matter is
kept d close secret and except by
those through whom the orders were
issued It is not known just what ships
have been ordered to this coast. 1t
S assumed, however, that the ships
selected arekfrom among those near
san Diego. and that that port viii be
made the cosling station for the yoy-
age. 1t is known. however, that or
GERS relative to the move have been
sent 10 Mare island and that certain
preparations will be under way there
In few days
The cause Of this immediate increase
Of naval force on the Atlantic has re-
lation TO the state Of diplomatic reIa-
tions with Venezuela. While little
trepidation is felt regarding the -atti-
tude OF President Castro so far as he
and his country are individually con-
cerned. It is desired to place the At
lantic naval armament on such a foot
ing that any attempt on. the part OF
other nations to take advantage OF the
situation may be successfully met. For
several years. whenever any signs OF
trouble have appeared with reference
to the Central and South American re-
publics on this side OF the continent,
it has been found necessary to keep
a sharp eye upon Germany, and it is
quietly talked that it is Germany's
present or possible attitude which is
the present cause for apprehension It
Is stated that it is not at all probable
that Admiral Evans program will in
any way be disturbed
Nothing could be learned in naval
circles either here or at Mare island
yesterday regarding the reported send
ing Of warships TO the Atlantic. A dis
patch from Mare island received last
night relative TO the location OF the
ships on this coast outside of Admiral
Evans neet. is as follows:
The vessels Of the Pacific feet are
much scattered along the coast at the
present time, their location being as
follows: The Milwaukee. ST. Louis and
torepdo boats Perry and Preble left
Magdzlena bay yesterday for San Fran
cisco. The Charleston viii remain at
AIagdsIena until the Atlantic feet ap-
proaches within hailing distance, by
wireless. when it will move north,
keeping in communication. The South
Dakota is on its way TO Magdalena on
her shaking down cruise, with perhaps
a preliminary target practice before the
feet arrives there. This vessel took all
mail for the feet when it left the navy
yard a few days ago.
The washington and Tennessee were
Off Santa Barbara a few days and are
now on their way to San Diego. where
they will remain several days before
coming north, the Washington to Mare
island for repairs and the Tennessee to
Puget sound. The tug Fortune left
Mare island yesterday for Magdalena
bay to assist the Asiatic feet in target
practise.
The wisconsin is at Puget sound un-
dergoing extensive repairs, now near
ing completion, being out of commits
sion. The Colorado is also there to re-
oeive extensive repairs to its batteries,
though IN commission. The Nebraska
also is at Bremerton yard. in splendid
condition. The West Virginia and
Maryland are at Mare island. undergo
ing repairs, expecting to move TO San
Francisco toward the end of April.
No orders have been received for the
hospital ship Relief to proceed TO Mag
dsIens. though they are expected daily.
The collier Saturn is loaded and at
Magdslens, and the collier Justin is at
Mare island receiving it's cargo.