Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1908-08-19
RET|RES
AFTER HALF
ACENTURY
IN NAVY
End Of Long and Honorable
Career Finds Fighting Bob"
Fit as FlddIei Expects to Live
One Hundred Years,
VETERAN SH0WERED
WITH CONGRATULATIONS

With CUNGRA ULATl0NS
Regrets Forced REIMBURSEMENT
of Command of Fleet Says
Nation Needs Two DOzeE
BattleShipS,
IBy Morning Journal Special Leased Wirel
Lake Monhonk n. Y. Aug. 1S-
Far from grim warships and the sea
where he spent nearly half a century
in the service of his country, Rear
Admiral Robley d. Evans, of the Uni
ted States navy, who is at this quiet
mountain hotel, reached the age limit
of sixty-two years today and passed
from the ranks OF the country's active
sea fighters. His has seen the long
est service, but two years short of hall
century, of any man who ever rep
resented 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 or
his siXty-second birthday and to wish
him many more happy and usefu
years. kilograms by the score reached
! him from all parts of the country, al
expressing fellcitation and affection
for the man who has done so much
| to build up the American navy. Many
Of the messages brought delighted
smiles to the admirals face, while 9th
ers brought just a suspicion of mois
ture in his eyes. The telegram II
particular which caused "Fightini
Boh9s many smffest came from an ole
friend in Washington and said;
For some of us, skipper, your flal
will always fly"
Sailors, soldiers, statesmen anC
civilians, in fact, every walk in life
was represented in the great outpour'
ing of messages which came to hin
to-day.
In rely to a friend who asked the
admiral how he felt on his sixty-see-
ond birthday. he replied characteristic
cally:
"Fit as a fiddle. l am sixty-two years
young today and | expect to reach
| hundred / am taking on flesh at the
rate of half a pound a day, and
have not a thing to do but loaf Who
would not get well under such circum.
stances?"
The admiral said he expected to stay
here until October, when he Will go tt
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 wrlt'
twelve articles on naval subjects.
Asked regarding the probable eli.
fect of the cruise of the fleet arouno
the world, which he commanded ron
Hampton Roads to San Francisco, th'
first stage of the long iournay, the ad'
miral said that he believed its iniiu'
ence was already being felt. That th'
cruise would add more than mere
prestige to the United States as
world mower. the admiral asserted II
M uncertain tones, He said It was
| the greatest disappointment OF his lli'
that he was unable to keep the com
nond ot least until he could Vlsl
Japan. where he has a great many
Trienda among the statesmen of tina
country.
Questioned in regard to the war tan
hetween the two countries, the adHlra
said that there would never be any
war unless the United tSates forced !
unon Japan. He said the japanese
are a sensitive people and the creates
little lighters in the world and II j
not a wise policy to annoy them to'
much. -.
ua further stated that Japan's at
titude toward China was greatly ms
understood in this country; that Il wa
not her desire to colonize China, bu
that she merely wanted to nave
hand in directing her policies he sai'
tha onIv interest the United state
sbould have in China was to MAINTAIN
the "open door" Further than .la
we can not expect to gain anything
he declared. 49,.
The admiral strongly asserted INA
the United States is in duty bound u
maintain a large navy. He declared
that he had always held that our bes
} guarantee of perpetual peace Is 10 D
so strong that other nations VIII b
afraid OF US. -.
eve should have twenry-fonr pat
: tleshlps in both the Pacihc aho IN
: Atlantic coasts" said the admiral
"sIxteen of those should be IN commis
, sion in each ocean all OF the time
! with eight held in reserve"
The admiral expressed It as hi
onlnion. formed through long servic
ana study OF our naval needs, tina
sueh fleet Of battleships would no
only guarantee a state Of peace pu
: would have lnestimable value IN pro
noting our trade interests In all quar-
ters OF the globe.
The formal celebration In honor 0
tthe admiral took place this evenln
IN the large parlor Of the Moun'ai
hotel. The room was gally decorate
! with American flags. but the featur