Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-07
FLEET OF THE PEOPLE
Admiral Thomas on the Value
of Publicity.
LITTLE NEED OF SECRECY
Good Comes From a Mutual Un-
derstanding.
COURTESIES AT MAGDALENA
Officers and Men on Cordial Terms
With the Mexican Authorities.
international Interests.
NEED OF SECRECY
COURTESIES AT MAGDALENA

MAGDALENA BAY. April 2 via San
Diego. April Rear Admiral Charles M.
Thomas, temporarily in command OF the
Atlantic fleet since the departure o. Ad-
miral Evans is busily engaged getting the
multitudinous affairs of the fleet in hand.
Il shall not remove permanently to the
Connecticut said Admiral Thomas to-
night. Il shall take with me only what
I shall require for few weeks, maintain
ing my quarters on the Minnesota in case
should wish to come back to them. 1t
is Admiral Evans intention to rejoin the
fleet as soon jas he is able to do So"
Need of Publicity.
Admiral Thomas made rather an unusu.
al pronouncement regarding publicity af-
fecting the fleet.
1T always has been my belief" he said,
that the public is entitled to know every
thing concerning the navy that is con-
sistent with it's welfare. There are, of
course. many matters o. technical ma
lure which mus be kept secret from for
eign powers. but these are usually of a
kind In which the country would not be
interested particularly, anyway.
1T is the peoples navy. This Is the
peoples fleet. There is no reason why we
should conceal from them what we are
doing so long as essential military secrets
are kept intact. l think 1t would be bet
ter for the people Of the United States and
better for the navy II they knew each
other more Intimately"
Mates Close Call.
The French steamer Matte of the Char
guinez of Lower California, which
ran into the bay Sunday for glimpse of
the fleet, unwittingly came in contact
with the Mexican authorities and just
escaped having to pay $500 port dues be-
fore departure was permitted. Several
San Francisco persons of prominence were
aboard the Matte en- route to southern
MEXICAN ports, and Agent McNear of
the steamship company had her put In
to afford his passengers an opportunity
to look at the battleships.
On Monday luncheon was given
aboard the Matte in honor Of Gov. San
geurs Reunis line Of Antwerp. which
was attended by several naval officers
including members of Admiral Thomas
personal staff, Messrs. Goodfellow. Rott
and Nash of San Francisco and several
other civilians. Agent McNear sent the
was detained by the collector of the
port After many conferences the Next
cal officials fixed the port dues of the
Matte at $500. and it was decided to pay
it. but the port officer finally relented
and RENTED the sum.
Mexican Cordially.
MAGDALENA BAY, April 3, via San
Diego, Cal, April 1.-THE relations tetween
the American naval officers and the Mexi-
can authorities, represented in chief by
Gov. Augustin Sanguinez of Lower Cali
fornia, since the battleships steamed into
Magdalena bay have been most cordial.
anu mutually pleasant to recollectiOns OF
the stay will be carried away by all who
have participated in the friendly functions
that have marked the last three weexs. At
dinner given last night by Admiral
mand of the feet on board the nagship
Minnesota, the exchange Of Fluctuations
was characterized by extreme cordially
Thomas made a brief address, in which he
commented upon the friendly relations ex-
listing between the United States and Mex
leo and expressed the belief that the stay
of the fleet at Magdalena bay will do
much to cement that friendship into per-
manency. The address, coming at time
when the relations Of the two count ries
significant and apparently was highly APP
preciated by the Mexican guests on board
the Minnesota Admna'als Sperry and
Emery were among the American guests.
Gov. Sanguinez also was very happy In
his remarks. declaring that he believed
that Mexico and the United States had
been brought nearer together than ever
before by the warmth Of the friends alp
existing between President Diaz and Pres
ident Roosevelt.
Target Records Broken.
SAN DIEGO, Cal, April THE naval
collier Ajax arrived off this port yester-
day. bringing mail and passengers from
the Atlantic fleet at Magdalena bay
Among the passengers were Lieut. Com
mander G. H. Bradshaw and Lieut.. r. D.
White, who were sent from Washington
to witness the target practice Of the six
teen battleships. Lieut.. White said that
while he was not at liberty to give out
any of the scores made it-could be stated
that some records were broken
THE most significant and prominent
feature of the work. said Lieut.. White
Is the fact that there Is not a single ship
In the fleet which has not beaten her for
mer records by good margin. There are
good many penalties and handicaps to
be considered In making up the final
scores and l could not tell even IL I
were allowed to do SO, what ships will
head the fleet In hits per gun per minute"
Visit to England.
LONDON, April THE formal reply
Of President Roosevelt to the invitation
of Great Britain offering the facilities Of
British ports to the American battleship
fleet on It's voyage around the world and
asking the fleet to visit an English port
has been received at the foreign office
here. The President points out that the
details for the last leg of the voyage have
not yet been arranged, but thanks the
British government for its kind invita-
ton.
1t Is hardly expected that the fleet will
come to England. but If it did the vessels
would be welcomed by all classes, and the
men and officers would be given a great
reception.
Malta and Gibraltar are particularly
mentioned in the British invitation as
ports where facilities will be placed at the
disposal OF the fleet for coaling. ETC.. and
at these points the usual cOurtesies will
be extended, no matter what decision is
reached with regard to the visit to Eng
land.
GRAND PARADE UP COAST.