Los Angeles herald., 1908-08-19
ADMIRAL EVANS
SAYS FAREWELL
TO GREAT NAVY
FIGHTING BOB" RETIRES AT
AGE OF 62
RARE EULoGlES RENDERED TO
HERO OF THE SEA
Service in Armada Lacked but Two
Years of Being Half a Century.
Great Honors Paid to
Warrior
BY Associated Press.

By Associated Press.
LAKE MOHONK, N. Y, Aug. 49,
Far from grim warships and the sea
where he spent nearly half a century
in the service of his country, Rear Ad-
miral Robley D. Evans, U. S. N, who
is at this quiet mountain hotel, reached
the age limit of sixty-two years today
and passed from the ranks of the coun-
try's active sea fighters:
His has been the longest service (but
two years short of a half 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,' eager to congratulate him on his
| sixty second birthday and to wish him
many more happy and useful years.
| kilograms by the score reached him
from all parts of the country, all ex-
pressing fluctuations and affection for
the man who has done SO much to
| build up the American navy.
Many of the messages brought de-
| lighted smiles to the admiraPs 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"
All Glasses Represented
Sailors, soldiers, statesmen and civil
| ians-in fact every walk of life-was
| represented in the great outpouring of
messages which came to him today.
| In reply to a friend who asked the
admiral how he felt on his sixty-third
birthday he replied characteristically
admiral how he felt on his siXty-second
years young today, and I expect to
reach hundred. I am taking on flesh
| at the rate of half pound day and
I have not got thing to do but loaf.
! Who wouldn't get well under such cir
| cumstances?"
The admiral said he expected to stay
! here until October when he will go to
Washington to be associated with the
general board in an advisory capacity.
He added that he expected to do
some work before he left here, having
arranged with a magazine to write
twelve articles on naval subjects.
] Influence Already Felt
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 ad-
miral said that he believed its influ-
ence was already being felt; that the
cruise would add more than mere pres
tige to the United States as a world
power the admiral asserted in no un-
certain tones.
He said it was the greatest disap-
pointment of his life that he was un-
able to keep the command at least until
he could visit Japan, where he has a
| great many friends among the states
men 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 forced it upon
Japan.
China and Japan
He further stated that Japan's at
titude toward China was greatly mis-
understood in this county; that 1t was
not her desire to colonize China, but
that she merely wanted to have a hand
in directing her policies.
He said the only interest the United
States should have in China was to
maintain the open door. Further than
that we cannot expect to gain any
thing, he declared.
The admiral strongly asserted the
United States is in duty bound to main
tain a large navy. He declared he had
always held that our best guarantee
| of perpetual peace is to be so strong
The formal celebration in honor of
the admiral took place this evening in
the large parlors of the Mountain no
| tel. The room was gaily decorated
with American flags but the feature
which attracted the attention of every
| body was a battle-Scarred flag Which
the admiral carried on the Iowa during
the battle with the Spanish fleet at
Santiago.
Symmons Presdes
Albert K. Smiley introduced as pre-
siding officer of the ceremonies J. Ed
| ward Symmons of New York. When
Admiral Evans was brought into the
room in a wheel chair the audience
applauded him vigorously, keeping 1t
up until the admiral silently raised
his hand as a request for silence Mr..
Symmons then delivered an address
| of eulogy of the admiral.
A large number of letters from men
Distinguished in public and private life
were then read by Mr.. Symmons.
Following the reading of the letters
| several impromptu addresses euloglz-
ing the admiral were made. After the
audience had sung america" DR.. An
drew S. Draper of New YORK MADE
the address of presentation of the low
| ing cup which was a gift to Admiral
Evans from the guests of the hotel.
l. The cup is of silver, gold lined, with
three handles, and beautifully en-
graved. One side bears the inscription:
Inscription on Cup
Presented to Rear Admiral Robley
D. Evans by the guests of the Lake
Mohonk Mountain house, on his retire
ment from active service in the United
States navy, in appreciation of his long
and distinguished services, August 18,
1908"
Another side bears the engraving OF
a modern battleship, while on the third
side, beneath crossed flags, is record
of the different commands held by the
admiral during his term of service.
Cheering and applause followed Ad-
miraI Evans speech of acceptance.
Just at the close of the exercises
birthday cake, covered with sixty-two
lighted candles, was brought into the
room. This gift seemed to please the
admiral more than any other part of
the ceremonies of the evening.
A reception followed the formal cere-
monies, and men, women and children
We'd with each other in their efforts to
show their admiration of Admiral
Evans