Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-14
WILSON TO LEAD
MIGHTY ARMADA
President to Stand on Bridge
of Oregon on Trip Through
the Canal.
MANY NATIONS TO SEND
VESSELS TO JOIN FLEET
Trip Will Be Made From Hampton
Roads to San Francisco
Next Year.

The fleet of warships. representing the
nations of the world. which will pass
through the Panama canal at its formal
opening next March, will be led by the
famous old battleship Oregon, with
President Wilson on the bridge When
the fleet has passed through the canal it
will steam northward to the Golden Gate
and will attend the Panama-Pacific ex-
position at San Francisco.
This announcement was made yesterday
by Secretary Daniels. who has been
working long time to bring this nota-
Bile program about. Originally the Pres
ldent was to go from Washington to
Hampton roads to greet the commanders
of the international fleet as they arrived
and to participate in the ceremonies at
tendant upon the departure Of the ves-
sells on their long cruise around the
North American continent. Afterward
he was to make the trip by rail to San
francisco to visit the exposition at some
convenient later date.
Will Lead Huge Armada.
The President, however, has deter
mined now to do full honor to the expo
scene at the head of an armada the like
Of which the world has never seen. Also
he will redeem his long standing promise
to Col. George W. Goethals by not only
visiting, but formally opening the great
Panama canal. He will make his pas
sage through that waterway on the bat
ueshp oregon. standing shoulder to
shoulder with Rear Admiral Charles E.
Clark. retired. who captained the IRON
clad on her famous Spanish war cruise
cfrcumnayigating South America Also
on the Oregon will be most of the MEM
bers Of President Wilson's cabinet.
The President, according to the present
program. many details Of which remain
to be worked out, will leave Washington
for Hampton roads. accompanied by his
official family. on the yacht Mayfower
March 8, 1915. The internationa fleet will
have been gathering in the Roads since
January l, but the President feels obliged
to defer his own departure until the date
mentioned because Of his desire to re-
main in Washington until the session Of
Congress closes.
Nine Nations to Send Ships.
So far nine Of the maritime countries
have signifled their intention to take part
In the great naval parade through the
canal. and 1t is certain there will be
other participants announced before the
end Of the year. The countries that al
ready have accepted are the Argentine
Republic, Cuba, France. Germany, Great
Britain. Italy, Japan, Portugal and
Russia.
The entire Atlantic fleet of the Ameri-
can navy will form the nucleus around
which the international naval forces will
gather. The officers and men Of the fleet
will be the nations guests. and will make
excursions from Hampton roads to the
capital and to nearby eastern cities while
arrangements are being made for the
long cruise from Chesapeake bay to the
Golden Gate.
After the ceremonies at Hampton
roads are over, the President will take
dreadnought New York, which will be
at that time the most formidable vessel
in commission in the world. Then the
start will be made for Colon, with the
New York leading. The ships will form
a column many miles in length, for 1t Is
estimated that there will be between
eighty and one hundred ships in the
procession. Most OF these will be of
the most modern type. and there will be
no room for laggards or weaklings. be-
cause it is the intention that the fleet
shall proceed at full cruising speed Of
about fourteen knots.
Short Delay at Colon.
ArrivinSat Colon within a week there
will be delay Of a couple of days while
arrangements are being mode to pass
the vessels through the canal. This will
be done with all ceremony, the line
being headed by the ancient steam
launch Louise, the gift of the American
government to the government of
France. The Oregon Is to follow with
the presidential party. Including Ad-
miral Clark, the cabinet, members OF the
Senate and House of Representatives and
distinguished guests. The admiral Of the
navy. George Dewey, will be invited to
make the passage. but it is doubtful Il
his health will permit
Allowing one hours time for the pas
sage through the locks Of each ship. and
a day for its transit through the canal
the whole fleet should be transferred
from the Atlantic to the Pacific in the
course of about four days.
Details Not Completed.
Exact details of the formal ceremonies
in connection with the passage Of the
great fleet Of warships as the official
opening of the Panama canal have not
been completed 1t is expected many
prominent foreigners, as well as high
American officials. vii! take part.
When the many ships have made the
passage and have anchored in Panama
bay fresh supplies of coal. oil and pro-
visions will be taken aboard and the pro-
cession will start for the north. 1t is
probable a short stop will be made at
San Diego. Cal, to do honor to the
Panama-California exposition in prog
ress at that place in connection with the
canal celebration.
If all goes well the first vessels of the
international fleet should pass through
the Golden Gate by April Is, 1915 and
ask - ~,
Francisco bay, where other warships will
have arrived. will be one of the mightiest
ever seen.
Just how long the President will re-
main in San Francisco and his plans for
returning to Washington have not been
determined.
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