Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-08-05
F0K UPENINC UF PANAM|A CHNAt
Will Assemble Next February Hampton Roads, Unless The
European War Makes Changes in Plans mperatve-Tenta
tive Program Has Arranged for Pres Wilson's
And also Visit to Panama-Pac Exposition at San Fran
cisco

Hampton Roads to Colon without stop.
In the canal fresh supplies of coal will
be taken but even then 1t may impose a
severe strain upon the small vessels to
make the run from Balboa to San Fran
cisco. 21ss miles, and some of them may
be Obliged to put in for coal at Pichil-
inque. the American coating station In
Lower California, or 10 take fuel from
GOLFERS in Magdalena Bay on the west
coast OF Mexico. Some OF the naval ves-
sells of even the larger European powers
are very deficient, according to American
standards, In this matter OF coal endur-
ance, principally because they were de-
signed for home DEFENSE and short crtiis-
es.
Because floating ice in Chesapeake Bay
some times make II impossible for days
at time to take on coal and other sup
plies, and In order to guard against de-
lay in the execution OF the short and
crowded program, the foreign naval yes
sells have been requested to assemble
several days at least in advance of the
date OF February 10 mentioned In the
memorandum. Their commanding off,
GERS with their staffs will be the guests
of the United States government As will
be the special naval representatives in
vited to attend. The presence OF the lat
ter will relieve the diplomatic body in
Washington from the obligation to be
present at Hampton Roads, which Is for
tunate In view of the fact that they are
expected to attend the opening eeremon-
les of the Panama-Pacific Exposition in
San Francisco, now fixed for February
20 without possibility Of postponedent.
The foreign naval contingent will be
brought to Washington on passenger
steamer especially chartered for the pur-
pose and their stay in the National capt.
tai will necessarily be very short as they
must be In Hampton Roads again on the
anniversary Of Washington's birthday,
when President wilson will review the
| fleet as 1t passes through the Chesapeake
capes bound for Colon The day after
Congress ad5ourns the President will fol-
| low the fleet on one of the great dread
naughts now under construction and ex-
pected to be completed about that time
It is planned to divide the international
| fleet into four sections for the passage
through the Panama Canal and as at
least two of the average sized warships
can be accommodated in the 1000 foot
locks at one time the entire fleet could
be locked through In about two days
The features of the parade through the
canal will be the old battleship oregon
on the bridge of which will stand Adj
miral Clark who commanded the ship in
her famous run around South America
during the SpanishAmeriean war, also
Secretary Daniels and many other nota-
bles and the tiny launch Louise. one OF
the first boats to be employed by the
French canal builders and which has
been by act of Congress made a gift to
the French government to commemorate
/ the completion of the canal
Very soon the officials here will take
up the arrangement of a program for
the exercises which are to take place
at Balboa to commemorate the formal
opening Of the waterway but so far nc
attempt has been made to outline them
beyond the delivery of an appropriate
address by President Wilson.