Los Angeles herald., 1909-04-23
EVANS DECLARES
CANAL USELESS
WITHOUT FLEET
PACIFIC COAST DEFENSELESS,
SAYS FIGHTING BOB
SHIPS WOULD BE RIDDLED BE-
FORE REACHING CALIFORNIA
War Between Japan and Russia is ln-
evitable When Latter Becomes
Prepared for Conflict.
Urges Big Navy
CONTINUED from Page One,


enough by the time ships are passing
through the Panama canal. OF our
present fleet, twenty ships are about as
efficient as can be, as has been amply
demonstrated. The cruise around the
world was a war cruise. not a peace
voyage-a battleship is always ready
for war when she goes to sea-and' TO-
gether with the craftsmanship at prac-
tice showed clearly that our SHIPS ana
men are thoroughly efficient.
But as l said, we must keep up
with the game and put the limit so
high that nobody can play in our class.
AS TO what the future will give us
cannot say. Wireless telegraphy has
taken its permanent place as one OF
the greatest Improvements on pat
tleship. The airship? Well, to a naval
man it's a first-rate scheme to make q
nervous fellow uncomfortable. 1t VIII
have its place in scouting for the
army. but l don't look for airships or
aeroplanes to be of much value in the
navy.
1.-THE best way to arouse great ma
tional appreciation of what we shoulu
do in the navy is through the Navy
League of the United States, OF which
Gen. Horace Porter is president and
which has headquarters at 1908
street, Washington. 1t can do what
the navy leagues of Germany and
England have done for their countries,
but, while Germany has a million peo-
pie in its organization, our navy league
has but 5000 members. All 1t asks is a
dollar year for membership, and the
league will spread interest in the needs
of the navy. If it had sections in
every town and city in the United
States no country could laugh at us.
Against Disarmament
"I notice that Andy Carnegie says
we should put all battleships aside and
disarm entirely. Why doesn't he start
with the police forces of all the great
cities and see how that works? That's
what the navy is-a great naval po-
lice force-and surely 1t would be
easier to try out his experiment on
land, where you can watch her siZzle.
Try it out first with the policemen in
New York, Chicago and other cities.
Then if that works out fine take OFF
your navy. I like Mr.. Carnegie per-
sonally. but I can't sit down with him
and see the millennium right In front
of us"
what kind of a president is Mr..
Taft?"
"Taft is bang-up," said the admiral,
emphatically. "And Roosevelt was
bang-up, too; but Cleveland was
double bang-up. 1 am sure the navy
mas the RT6dIeSL III lSSi
dent Taft. So far 1 have never voted,
although 1 claim to be as much of a
citizen as anybody, because I have
never thought it good policy for a ma
val man to mix in politics. I think 1t
would take purely American party
on a purely American platform to get
out my vote"
Admiral Evans is accompanied by
his wife, who has been with him on all
of the 5000 miles he has Travelled so
far on his lecture tour. His lecture
secretary, j. A. Cruikshank of New
York, is in the admiral's party. They
leave this afternoon for Santa Bar
bara, and will return to Los Angeles
tomorrow after the admirafs lecture
there. He will deliver lecture at the
Simpson auditorium Monday evening
which will be of particular importance
to Los Angeles through his exposition
of the needs of adequate defense OF
California harbors.
He denied last night rumors that he
would settle in Los Angeles, saying
that he probably would continue to
make his home at Washington. He in
timated, however, that he would have
business interests here. After lectures
at Los Angeles and San Diego Admiral
Evans will leave for the east May 2,
continuing his lecture tour.