Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1908-03-15
: 4 Accomplishment of Warships
Asses American Stock Abroad.
AS TO EFFICIENCY
Structural Weaknesses Predicted by
Foreign Experts Not There.
FRENCH MINISTRY Is AROUSED
Naval Attache at Washington Ordered
to San Francisco.
ENTHUSIASM IN HoNoLU-
Islanders Are Making Preparations
to Entertain Omcers and Men
ReuterdahI starts for
Washington.

TO Entertain Omcers and Men
ReuterdahI starts for
Washington.
PARIS. March 14.-News Of the decision
to send the American battleship fleet back
TO the Atlantic coust by way OF Australia
and the suez is received here as crown
ing revelation of the efficiency OF the
American navy. The statement that the
cruise is to be extended in this manner
has opened the eyes OF the French public
which had been led to believe that the
American navy was a good deal OF
bluff; that the cruise around South
America would demonstrate the incapacity
Of the vessels and that II it was accom-
piished the ships would be ready for the
scrap heap Even in French naval circles
the belief was that the long voyage would
develop structural weakness in the vessels
themselves or at least serious breakdowns
in the engine rooms. In view of these
opinions, the announcement that the fleet
arrived at Magdalena bay ahead Of its
schedule ready for target practice and in
better condition than when It sailed from
Hampton Roads in December, will lend ad-
ded prestige to the American navy.
Many French officers now frankly say
that the impressive demonstration given by
the American fleet of It's ability to keep
at sea raises the American navy to an
equality with that of Great Britain and
that II the return journey is as success
| full as the trip around South America has
been the American navy will have demon
strated that It has no superiOrs in the
world.
French Become Aroused.
The French minister of marine, NJ.
Thomson. is so impressed with the result
OF this cruise that he is instructing Lieu
tenant Commander De Blanpre, the French
naval attache at washington, to proceed
| TO San Francisco and send IN a full report
/ Of the condition OF the ships and the les
| sons of the cruise.
The lack Of boiler accidents during the
voyage already has called out criticism of
the contrast furnished by the French navy.
where trouble in the engine room IS con-
stant and NJ. Thomson has been interpel-
lated as TO why the government does not
use the American type OF boiler. which is
now being manufactured in France.
/ A salient feature OF the cruise which is
/ attracting attention here Is the success
obtained from the American system of
employing line officers in the engine rooms.
This procedure up TO the present time has
/ Dttn EtEhTutU Win niNNtA chNPAiNiHAu III
French naval circles.
Judged from a political standpoint the
decision to start the fleet from the Pacific
coast on it's homewsrd voyage in July is
considered conclusive that Washington is
now convinced that the issue between the
United States and Japan will be adjusted
amicabIy.
Torpedo Boats Ahead.
| "a f,r-
pedo boat flotilla, under the command of
Lieutenant Hutch /. Gone. which left Cal
.ao March 9. arrived here Unexpectedly
this morning at o'clock and anchored in
the harbor According to the itinerary the
vessels were expected here Monday so
they are consequently two days ahead OF
time. The voyage up from Callao was
most successful. The weather was pleas
ant and the fotilla experienced no delays
The boats are in good condition and all on
board are well. Many preparations are
being made here for the entertainment for
the officers 1t is expected that the yes
sells will remain here until March p. when
they are scheduled 10 sail for Acapulco
Mexico.
ReuterdahI TO Washington.
SAN DIEGO, Cal. March 1A-wireless
messages this morning from Magdalena bay
state that the cruiser Buffalo, which was
practically the only United States vessels
at the bay when the battleship fleet ar
] rived. viii leave tonight or tomorrow and
viii probably be IN San Diego Tuesday.
The wireless station here was busy all
last night with official and fleet messages.
an OF the former being in cipher and very
little OF the latter containing news other
than that which has already been made
public.
Henry T. Reuterdahl, the well-known
correspondent, whose criticism of the con
struction OF the battleships OF the United
States navy has created such a storm OF
discussion and investigation, was on board
the Culgoa as a passenger from Callao.
He remained in the city only few hours
and left for the north It is understood he
will attend the investigation in Washing
ton.
British Naval Omeers Interested.
LONDON, March I8-The announcement
tbat the American battleship fleet will re-
turn from the Pacific to the Atlantic by
way Of the suez canal has created the
greatest interest among naval officers here,
who are anxious 20 see the American yes
sells and observe the effects OF the long
cruise upon, them. The news OF the cruise
homewarc was received too late to get an
official opinion. but prominent naval Of
! ficcr has suggested that the government
should send an invitation 10 the battle
ships TO come 10 England. or II that should
be impossible. for them to make an official
: call at some British port enroute home.
There will be an opportunity for British
officers 10 show courtesies TO the officers
OF the fleet during its visit to Australia, al
eoaling stations and other points, but these.
naturally, viii be on small scale. when
compared with what will be done should
the battleships come to England OF stop
at Malta or Gibraltar. The cruise OF the
battleships from Hampton Roads to Mag
dalena Bay has been closely followed by
Englishmen, who laud the achievement and
a visit by them to some British port would
prove extremely popular
Enthasiasm In HOnOIuIu.
HONOLULU, March lathe official an
nouneement that the United States Atlantic
battleship fleet Is coming to Hawaii has
| created the greatest enthusiasm here and