The San Francisco call., 1909-03-25
PACIFIC SHOULD
HAVE BIG FLEET
Admiral Evans So Says During
Discussion on Naval
Matters
With Additional Force Here
There Need Be No Fear
of War
Especial 10 The Call


TACOMA, Wash, March 24.-Admiral
Robley d. Evans would not move nor
divide the Atlantic fleet in providing a
fleet OF 90 battleships for the Pacific
coast. He would build new battleships
for the Pacific coast without delay.
He said today:
I'VE need a battleship fleet OF 20 YES
sells on this coast, and after we ac-
quire that number there is no danger or
attack. 1t would be unwise to divide
the fleet on the Atlantic coast and send
part around to this side. Concentrate
your forces. Russia had her ships
separated and the Japanese demorallzed
Russias sea force by attacking various
parts before they We're assembled. Il
don't believe in giving any nation a
chance to dc that to US.
Il do not understand why Senator
Perkins of California consented to
the construction of only two battle
ships year. He has probably made
some agreement with Senator Hale.
We recommended four"
The admiral said the people OF the
Pacific coast should demand a big
fleet, more docks and larger and better
repair shops. 1t was suggested to him
that perhaps the western states did
not get all those things because they
Lnelr QeleSdtlOnS u w
ton, D. c., SO often.
You ought to change them oftener
IL they don't do what you want, he
replied, bringing his jaws together like
q wise. The Atlantic coast is amply
protected" continued Admiral Evans,
"and the same protection should be
given to you people on the Paclflc
slope. If we had, another fleet OF the
same strength as the Atlantic fleet we
would need never to fear war.
Under existing conditions I think
there can be only one opinion respecting
the outcome of a naval war between
England and Germany. 1t is a delicate
question to discuss, as l have numer-
GUS German acquaintances, but on the
other hand some of my dearest friends
are British officers, and after ALL blood
Is thicker than water. 1t is certain
that Germany is not building her new
navy for her health. To an outsider 1t
looked as If England gave Germany a
great opportunity when the lords of the
admiralty abandoned the building of
certain types OF warships and started
the Dreadnought class. 1t enabled the
Germans to start out on a more equal
footing in the ship building race. have
no fears about Britain maintaining the
lead.
"Dreadnoughts or larger vessels of
the same type are the war vessels OF
the future, at least for the first class
European powers. These will decide
the fate of nations. Torpedo boats and
torpedo boat destroyers will always
have the lead. They will be retained
to make nervous men even more un-
comfortable Aeroplanes, destined, no
doubt, to reach perfection. will also
play an important role. No doubt they
may do effective service on land, but
have my doubts regarding their eff
cacy elsewhere. You can anchor an
aeroplane to the top of tree, but you
can't hitch it TO the crest of wave In
storm The real scouting at sea will
be done by the aid of fast cruisers and
by wireless telegraphy. These will be
the guards of the battleships. Oriental
fleets will never wage war outside
the orient. They could never afford to
cross the ocean so far from their base
for their line of communication would
soon be cut. I don't think that Japan
ever dreamed of fighting the United
States. The Anglo japanese alliance is
guarantee of peace. England is her
banker and the United States virtually
feeds England. Just figure that out
But 1t is only a question of time until
japan and Russia fight it out again"