The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-12
Old Fighting Spirit Is Reflected In Interview Given In
 Sick Room
ADMIRAL VERY PROUD OF
 FLEETS ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Report That Admiral Evans Was In- Jured Proves To Be Exaggerated, As He Had Only a Slight
 Jar of His Bad Knee.

Paso Robles, Cal, April 11.-(Special)- Rear Admiral Robley D. Evans gave to the Hearst news service representative today the first interview granted to any newspaper since he was brought here from his flagship suffering from rheuma- tism and gout. The interview follows:
 Copyright, 1908, by the Los Angeles Eaminer.) By Grace Hull.
 For 40 years have served my country, but now for a few weeks I must serve myself until I have completely routed this attack of rheumatism,' said Admiral Robley D. Evans to me today, and I was surprised to see how much improved in looks the naval hero was from the time he landed at San Diego.
 T am completely at the mercy of that young tyrant there" he said, pointing to his son, Lieutenant Evans. If he tells me that l must stay in bed, l have to stay. If he tells me have to go for a ride, I must ride. He is in his glory, now his mother and sister are here, and he can order them around, too.'
 The lieutenant admitted the fact as he stood beside his fathers bed, and Mrs. Evans affirmed her husbands statement.
 T am surprised, admiral, to see such 8 well looking man for one reported so ill, ," l said.
 T am not sick, and I resent any one saying so. have had bad attack of rheumatism and l am recovering from it.
 They have had to give me severe treat ment, and naturally l am weak.i l have a very slight attack in my knee this morning, but they tell me 1t Is the natural consequence of the baths l am taking here.
 At first one feels better. but before one is entirely recovered there is a slight recurrence of the trouble.'
 could not doubt that the admiisl was practically free from suffering, for one who suffers has not the cheery voice or the merry laugh of the admiral.
 When I left my fleet and landed In San Diego l stated if 1 recovered suffi- ciently l would participate in the fes- tivities that have been planned for the arrival of the feet and l will not go back on my word. I must get more strength though, and, of course, the phy- sicians must consent
 T am glad to have been the one chosen to bring the fleet to California. There are plenty of officers that could have done 1t as well as l. I can assure you we have some wonderful officers in the navy. America should feel proud of them. l mySelI 1eel proud Ol tne Ilen We have, and l am glad that the Pacific coast Is doing them so much honor.
 'I feel rather put out in regard to the statements made in certain papers that had met with a severe accident several days ago. It was such trivial thing that l had forgotten to mention it to my wife and I was shocked when I saw what was in the papers about it. A man acci- dentally jumped against my sore knee one morning and for a short while it pained me severely, but 1t was all over In 15 minutes.
 Since I was first attacked with rheu- matism my life has never been in danger; the only trouble was that l suffered a great deal. am taking no drugs, only the regular treatments given here. It will be the same Evans of old in a few days"
 The hotel is laden with flowers being sent to the Evans family. This morning 6 box of sweet pas four feet square was received from Santa Barbara.