The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-19
After 4S Years In the Service OF
His Country.
HIS FRIENDS UNITE
In Celebration of the Occasion
and His Birthday.
They Present Him a Loving Cup
and a Big Cake.

grim warships and the sea. where he
spent nearly half a century in the ser
vice of his country, Rear Admlrai
Robley d. Evans of the United States
navy, who is at this quiet mountain
hotel. reached the age limit OF 62
years yesterday and passed from the
ranks of the country's active sea ngnt-
ers. Here. where fourteen peace con-
ferenceS have assembled, Sendlng 1ortn
to the world appeals that arms be lald
down, one of the worlds greatest
naval commanders laid down his arms.
probably never again to take them UP
in the defense of the country he has
served so we'll. His has been the
longest service, but two years snort or
half a century. of any man who has
reached the office of rear admiral in
the United States navy.
All through the day the hotel was
thronged with admirers of Fighting
Bob. as his hosts of friends delight to
call him, eager to congratulate him on
the 62d BIRTHDAY and to wish him
many happy and useful years. Tele-
grams by the score reached him from
all parts of the country all expressing
felicitation and affection for the man
VINO has done so much to build up the
American navy Many of the mes
sages brought delighted smiles to the
admirals face. while others brought
Just a suspicion of moisture to his
eyes. The telegram in particular
which caused Fighting Bob" many
smiles. came from an old friend in
Washington and said
For some Of us. skipper, your flag
will always fly
Sailors, soldiers. statesmen and
civilians. in fact every walk in life.
was represented in the great outpour-
ing of messages which came to him.
In reply to a friend who asked the
admiral how he felt on his sgd birth
day, he replied Enthusiastically:
Expects to Reach 100.
Fit as a fiddle am So years
young today and I expect to reach a
hundred. l am taking on flesh at the
rate of half a pound a day, and
have not got a thing to do but loaf
Who would not get well under such
circumstances ?"
The admiral said he expected to
Etay here until October when he will
go to Washington to be associated
with the general board in an advisory
capacity He added he expected to
do some work before he left here,
having arranged with a magazine to
write twelve articles on naval subjects
Asked regarding the probable effect of
the cruise of the fleet around the
Hampton Roads to San Francisco the
first stage of the long journey. the
admiral said he believed it's influence
was already being felt. That the
cruise would add more than mere
prestige to the United States as a
world power, the admiral asserted in
no uncertain tones. He said II was
the greatest disappointment of his life
that he was unable to keep the COM
mand at least until he could visit jap
an. where he has a great many friends
among the statesmen of that country
Questioned in regard to the war
talk between the two countries, the
admiral said there would never be
any war unless the United States fore
ed 1t upon japan. He said the Japan
ese are a sensitive people and the
greatest little fighters in the world,
and 1t is not wise policy to annoy
them too much.
The admiral strongly asserted that
the United States is in duty bound to
maintain a large navy. He declared
that he had always held that our best
guarantee Of perpetual peace is to be
SO strong that other nations will be
afraid OF us.
I'VE should have twenty-four hat
: tleships in both the Pacific and Allan
tic oceans" said the admiral six
teen of these should be in commission
in each ocean all OF the time with
eight held in reserve
The admiral expressed it as his
opinion. formed through long service
and study OF our naval needs, that
such feet of battleships would not
only guarantee a state of peace but
would have inestimable value in pro-
noting our trade interests in all quar-
ters Of the globe.
Celebration of the Occasion.
The formal celebration in honor of
the admiral took place in the larger
parlor of the Mountain hotel The room
was gaily decorated with American
flags, but the feature which attracted
the attention of everybody was a bat
. 10 H,.1r r-y-s
ried on the Iowa during the battle
with the Spanish fleet at Santiago
Albert K. Smiley introduced as nre
siding officer of the ceremonies 7 Ed
ward Simmons of New York When
Admiral Evans was brought into the
plauded him vigorously, keeping it IN
until the admiral silently raised his
hand as request for silence. Mr.,
Simmons then delivered an eulogy of
the admiral.
A large number of letters from men
distinguished in public and private life
were then read by Mr.. Simmons.
Among those who sent letters re-
GREETING their inability to be present
were President Roosevelt. Dr. Taylor,
Rear Admiral Pillsbury, Governor
Hughes, Paul Morton. former secretary
of the navy. and General Anson G. Nc
Cook. Each letter voiced the WRITER'S
high appreciation of the admiral and
MS services to his country
Following the reading of the letter
several impromptu addresses eulogiz-
ing the admiral were made
After the audience had sung "Amer-
lea, DR.. Andrew S. Draper of New
York made the address of presenta-
tion of the loving cup which was a
gift to Admiral Evans from the guests
OF the hotel. The cup is of silver. gold
nned. with three handles and beauti-
fully engraved.
SHeerlng ana applause followed Ad-
miral Evans speech of accentanca
Just at the close of the exercises a
huge birthday cake covered with g.
LIGHTED candles. was brought into the