The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-05-17

giving the address to be made to the Emperor,
was received, gave copies of it to our Ambas-
sador to be sent to the foreign Office. 1t seems
that the Emperor had already prepared very
cordial address to be forwarded through me 70
you, after delivery at the audience, but your tele-
gram reversed the situation and his reply was
prepared. | am convinced that your kind and
courteous initiative on this occasion helped cause
the pleasant feeling which was so obvious in
the Emperor's bearing at the luncheon which
followed the audience. X, who is reticent and
conservative, told me that not only the Emperor,
but all the ministers were profoundly gratifed
by the course of events. | am confident tina: not
even the most trifling incident has taken pl.ce
which could in any way mar the general satisfsc-
ton, and our Ambassador has expressed to rle
his great satisfaction with all that lis taken
place.
Obliged to Take On Coal.
Owing to heavy weather encountered on the
passage up from Manila the feet was obliged to
take about $500 tons of coal.
The Yankton remained behind to keep up
communication for few days, and yesterday
she transmitted the Emperor's telegram to you,
which was sent in reply to your message through
our Ambassador after the sailing of the feet.
1t must be profoundly gratifying to you to have
the mission on which you sent the feet termi-
nate so happily, and am profoundly thankful
that, owing to the confidence which you display
ed in giving me this command, my active career
draws to close with such honorable distinction
las for the effect of the cruise upon the
training, discipline, and effectiveness of the
fleet, the good cannot be exaggerated. 1t is
war game in every detail. The wireless COM
munication has been maintained with an eff
cheney hitherto unheard Of. Between Honolulu
and Auckland, $3.50 miles, we were out of COM
munication with cable station for only one
night, whereas three (nonAmerican) men-of-
war trying recently to maintain a chain of only
1850 miles, between Auckland and Sydney, were
able3to do so only for few hours
THE officers and men as soon as we put to
sea turn to their g,innery and tactical work far
more eagerly than they go to functions. Every
morning certain ships leave the column and
move off seven or eight thousand yards as tar
gets for range measuring fire control and bat
terry practice for the others, and at night certain
ships do the same thing for night battery prac-
tice. | am sorry to say that this practice is I'M
satisfactory, and some points misleading, owing
to the fact that the ships are painted white. At
Portland, in 1903, | saw Admiral Bankers white
battleships under the searchlights of the army at
distance of $4,000 yards, seven sea miles,
without glasses while the Hartford, black ship,
was never discovered at ALL though she passed
within mile and half. l have for years,
while member of the general board, advocated
painting the ships war color at all times, and
by this mail l am asking the department to make
the necessary change in the regulations and
paint the ships properly. / do not know that any
one now dssents from my view. Admiral
Wainwright strongly concurs, and the War Col
lege conference recommended it year after year
without dissenting voice.
In the afternoons the fleet has two or three
hours practice at battle maneuvers, which excite
as keen interest as gunnery exercises.
he competition IN coal economy goes on
automatically and reacts in hundred ways. 1t
has reduced the waste in the use of electric light
and water, and certain chief engineers are said
to keep men ranging over the ships all night
turning out every light not in actual and immedi-
ate use. Perhaps the most important effect is
the keen hunt for defects in the machinery
causing waste of power. The Yankton by re-
setting valves increased her speed from ten to
knots on the same expendi-
ture.