The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-03-29
EVANS TO LEAVE
FLEET FOR REST
Rear Admiral Will Take Hot
Baths at San Luis
Obispo.
Thomas TO Command the
Warships Until His
Superior Returns.

Admiral Evans, commanding the
American battleship fleet will leave the
feet on board the flagship, the Connecti-
cut. as soon as that vessel completes
her target practice in Magdalena bay,
and will sail W the coast to Paso
Robes. From there Admiral Evans will
take train for San Luis Obispo, to re-
ceive treatment in the hot mineral
springs Astounding there
AS soon as Admiral Evans leaves the
Connecticut she will rejoin the fleet
at Magdalena bay. Admiral Thomas will
run his flag TO the topmast as com
nlander Of the fleet as soon as Admiral
Evans departs, and viii Dring the fleet
up the coast as far as San Diego. where
Admiral Evans viii meet it upon its ar
rival and resume command.
Health Is No Worse.
Admiral Evans asked permission to
take this course by wireless telegraph to
the Navy Department yesterday. and It
was Immediately granted Since the de-
parture of the feet from Hampton
Roads, he has been the commanding Of
ficer in the fullest sense of the word
and has directed all movements with
out Interference Before leaving Admir-
al Evans will undoubtedly place in Ad-
miral Thomas hands fullest instruc-
tons. He already has mapped out the
itinerary for the feet up the coast. and
completed all the detailed arrangements.
II IS not believed at the Navy Depart
ment that Admiral Evans health IS
any worse. His journey to San luis
Obispo Is looked upon as a short rest
10 put him in good shape for the big re-
ception and review at san Francisco.
San Luis Obispo. in extrem southern
California. is one Of the most beauti-
full and health giving spots in the world
II has a mild, dry climate, that seldom
varies, and In some instances the min
eral waters have worked marvels. II is
Respondent with orange groves and all
Of the many species of flowers known TO
southern California. all of which are IN
blom at this season. Il is expected that
Admiral Evans will be in the best Of
health when he joins the fleet at San
Diego on the afternoon Of April "A.
Fleet TO Divide
Announcement was made by the
Bureau of Navigation yesterday that
the fleet would divide after leaving San
Pedro. one squadron going TO Santa
Cruz. and another to Monterey. on the
way TO San Francisco The same will be
done at Los Angeles The ships will be
divided among the ports of Venice. Re
dondO, Santa Monica, and San Pedro.
It has practically been decided by the
department TO send the feet toAuckland,
New Zealand. on its way from Samoa
20 Sydney, Australia. This stop is cal
culated to work to advantage in the
eoaling itinerary. and IL was adopted
for this reason. There is an ample sup
ply of good coal at Auckland. and to fil
the bunkers there will expedite the
cruise to the Philippines and Japan. 1t
will also show the appreciation Of the
American Government for the prompt
and cordial invitation received from the
New Zealand authorities
The following schedule for the feet
on the southern coast of California was
announced by Secretary AIetcalf last
night:
THE battleship fleet will arrive at
san Diego az 2:3O p m, Tuesday, April
Il leave at $50 a. m. Saturday,. the 18th.
Arrive at San Pedro at p. m.
April IS.
The following day the second division
wiz go TO Long Beach, the third 10
Santa Monaco, and the fourth to Re
dordo.
The fleet viii reassemble and pro-
coed to Santa Barbara at a. m.
April ."
The remainder of the itinerary to San
Francisco IS not yet completed.