Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-13
Doubt as to Route of Battle
ships DispeI|ed.
WILL DEPART FOR HAWAII
After Visiting Samoa Will Go to
Australia.
MIR. METCALFS ANNOUNCEMENT
Evidently Finally Considered at To-
days Cabinet Meeting-Admiral i.
Evans Successor.

There is no longer any doubt that the
Atlantic feet will return from the Pacific
coast by way of the Philippines and the
Suez canal. taking that route. as Secretary
Metcalf says. ''in order to visit our pos
sessions in the Pacific" The subject was
evidently finally considered at today's
meeting of tn ecabinet, for at the conclu-
sion of that meeting Secretary Metcalf
made the following announcement to the
press:
The Homeward Trip.
"The battleship fleet will leave San Fran
cisco on July 6 for our possessions in the
Pacific. stopping first at Hawaii and then
at Samoa After leaving Samoa the
fleet will proceed to Australia. stopping
at Melbourne and Sydney for the purpose
of accepting the most cordial invitation
ext ended by Sir Alfred Deakin in behalf
of the commonwealth of Australia The
fleet will then proceed to the Philippines.
and after remaining there a short time.
will return to the Atlantic coast, stop
ping only at such ports en- route as are
necessary for the purpose of taking on
COAL"
In explanation of the plan Of having the
fleet visit the principal ports of Australia
it was stated that the Secretary of State
had received a letter from Ambass
Bryce showing the British governments
Endorsement of the invitation recently
extended by the Australian authorities
That letter is as follows:
British Ambassadors Invitation.
"Sir: l am directed by his matesty's
principal secretary of state for foreign
affairs to bring to the attention of the
United States government the hope ex-
pressed by the government OF the COM
monwealth of Australia that the United
States fleet now in the Pacific ocean may
be instructed to visit the principal ports
of Australia. where it would be assured
of a most cordial and enthusiastic well
come.
II am further desired to inform you
that this invitation of the Australian gov
eminent to the American fleet Is Endorsed
most cordially by his majesty's govern
ment. and to express to you the satisfac-
ton with which his majesty's government
will welcome an intimation of the accept
ance of it by the government of the
United States Ihave the honor etc.
(Signed) JAMES BRYCE"
According to the announced program,
the fleet will not visit Japan. and after
leaving Manila will touch only at ports
OF the return. of the fleet to the At
lantic coast will depend upon the dura-
ton of target practice in the Philip
pines.
sound will be some time between the con-
clusiOn of the grand review in San Fran
cisco bay, May 8. and the date of the sail
ing from the Pacific.
Admiral Evans Successor.
Rear Admiral Evans commanding the
fleet. will retire for age i'm August next,
and under the law cannot continue in
command beyond that time. SO it will be
necessary to select some other officer to
command the fleet OH the return voyage
through Asian and European waters.
Secretary Metcalf said today that no ac-
ton had yet been taken regarding the Sc
lection of Admiral Evans successor, but
that the matter would be settled in am
pie time.
Admiral Evans Congratulated.
The following congratulatory telegram
has been sent by Secretary Metcalf to
Rear Admiral Robley D. Evans. COM
manding the Atlantic fleet. at Magda-
lena bay, Mexico:
1.-THE department congratulates you and
the men and officers of the Atlantic fleet
on the termination of the voyage to the
Pacific in exact accordance with the
itinerary, and also upon the efficiency of