The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-14
PROPOSED NAVAL RENDEZVOUS HAS
 BEEN ABANDONED Daniels Announces Plans For Cruise of International Fleet In Celebration of
 Canal Opening

Washington, January f5.-The proposed international naval rendezvous at Hamp- ton Roads has been abandoned. accord ing to plans announced tonight by Sec retary Daniels for the cruise of the At lantic fleet and visiting foreign war craft to San Francisco in celebration of the Panama canal opening. Instead. the programme provides that the ships shall proceed directly to Cristobal, at the east ern entrance to the canal, to be passed through at stated intervals.
 Consent of Congress must be obtained for the change, as the law authorizing the cruise set forth that the United States should invite the maritime nations of the world to send vessels to Hampton Roads for the event. Secretary Daniels said. however he had no doubt the necessary legislation would be enacted at once. He pointed out that the war had made im- possible rendezvous of the international character contemplated by Congress, and that the isthmus would be a more conve- nicnt gathering place for the American fleet and the few visiting vessels that would participate. Only Spain, Portugal, Argentina and Cuba so far have indicated their intention of sending ships
 The programme has been worked out in the confident belief that passage through the canal will be possible, al- though Governor Goethals has given mo- tice that he cannot guarantee it on ac- count of recent slides February 26 is fixed as the date for passage of the van guard of the Atlantic fleet. Other ves- sells will go through day by day until March 10, when President Wilson is due to arrive on the battleship New York and transfer to the old Oregon for the trip through the canal
 All the plans have been framed partic- ularly with a view to interfering as little as possible with the winter maneuvers and drills of the Atlantic fleet. Two weeks will be saved by changing the place of rendezvous.
 Secretary Daniels announced the fol- lowing programme for preliminary op- erations and the cruise to San Francisco
 The following named foreign vessels are expected to take part in the celebra- tion incident to the opening of the ca nal: o
 Argentina will send the battleship Mo- reno, flying the flag of Vice Admiral Onofre Betbeder; Cuba will send the cruiser Cuba, Portugal will send the crui- ser Almirante Refs, and the dispatch boat Cinco de Outubro; Spain will send the battleship Espana. Vice Admiral Don Ramon Estrada Catoiva has been ap- pointed by the Spanish government as its representative.
 The battleships of the Atlantic fleet and the destroyer flotilla will proceed to Guantanamo and Guacanayabo bay Cuba, January 17, for extended fleet exercises and target practices; 17 battlcshps par ticipating in the maneuvers. The Geor- gia, Texas. South Carolina and Minne- sota will remain at their home yards un- dergoing overhauling until February 15. These vessels will proceed to southern waters the latter part of February.
 To Escort President
 'The Texas will remain at Hampton Roads to escort the President to Panama in the New York. the New York pro- ceeding to Hampton Roads from Cuban waters about February 15, prepared to receive the President on March D.
 It is intended that the Washington re- lieve the Delaware in Mexican waters as soon as practicable. and that the Della ware and Rhode Island will join the fleet in Cuban waters. The Rhode Island has been ordered from New Orleans to Nor folk for docking, and on the completing of docking. about January %, will pro- ceed to Guantanamo to join the fleet
 The battleships and the destroyers of the active flotilla (about 23) will re- main in Cuban waters. carrying on drills and exercises until February 25, and then will proceed to Panama, all 21 battle ships going through the canal to San Francisco.
 The schedule of movements from Guan- tenamo February 25 is in general as fol- lows, subject to such changes as may be necessary:
 February 2s-vestal Yankton, solace