The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-15
FLEET WILL Be
HELDFOR WORD
TO SAIL SOUTH
Principal Work to Protect
Americans and Foreign
prs if Trouble Comes.
FLETCHER'S SHIPS
TO BEIN PORT TODAY

WAsHiNGToN. April 14.--in view Of
The present International situation the
Atlantic battleship fleet will be held In
readiness to put to sea on short notice.
\ statement TO this effect was made
to-day by an officer OF the Navy De-
partment.
The feet, under command Of admiral
Fletcher, is on its way north from Guam
tanamo and is expected to reach Hamp-
ton Roads tomorrow. The schedule
calls for the Vessels TO then disperse and
go to their home yards. where the men
will get shore leave and repairs OF
minor character will be made.
This does not mean that the ships are
in bad condition. but simply that certain
routine repair work will be undertaken
while the ships have their bottoms
scraped and are put in good shape after
an extended period OF sea service.
Under normal conditions this work
would temporarily put the ships out OF
commission. All material repair work
on the ships of the feet has been can
celled. The fleet will he kept In readi-
ness for action in case an emergency
arises
When the American eXpedit.onary force
frst entered Mexico. Admiral Fletcher
had orders To- Ne ready at any time 10
leave for Mexican waters. Prior Ia this
the fleets schedule called for the yes-
sells 10 leave Guantanamo for maneu-
vres early In the month.
The Navy Department would have pre-
teIred to have had the vessels remain in
closer proximity to Mexican ports. in
stead of coming north. but the state De-
partner, felt that no change should be
ordered which might arouse the sus-
picions Of the people in Mexico.
New 1.i8ht On situation.
Consequently Admiral Fletcher had or
ders TO leave Guantanamo according TO
the pr. arranged schedule. Reports from
Mexico at that time were generally
favorable. and II was hoped that the
danger OF serious trouble had safely
passed. Tn, latest developments. how
ever. incident TO the clash az Parral be-
tween American troops and carranzista
sympathzers and Gen. Carranza's note
demanding the withdrawal Of the Amer.-
car forces nave put matters III anoth, :
light.
+ The service which the bsttleship fleet
could render in Mexican waters IN case
of serious trouble would be OF inesti-
. uable value. officials explain. The frs,
! concern ~ .na United states ,;overn.nen,
would be TO provide for the safety o.
Americans and other foreigners in Mex.
iCo.
According To present plans the resp.c.
tive Consuls OF foreign Powers in Mexico
are urging that their nationals leave tn.
interior of Mexico for coast towns in cas-.
OF serious trouble. Their prot. ction II
/ the coast towns depends 10 large eN
tent il was said, on the immediate pres
d ence of an imposing naval force In tn,
vicinity. This is why time is such al
important factor SO far as the f,et /.
. concerned
The United States now has four nava
vessels ready for emergency in MeNical
I waters. The ba;tlcship Kentucky. Com
mandev Dismuth, is AT Vera Cruz III,
: Machias. Lieutenant Commander Mar
4 shall. is at Tampico the Marietta, com
mander Scott, is at Tampico. and tn,
Wheeling, Commander Watson. is a
Puerto Mexico.