The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-15
PACIFIC FLEET IS TO
TEST CANALON TRIP
Voyage to West Coast Will BE
Made Virtually Under
War Conditions.
WILSON MAY MEET SHIPS
Daniels to Plan Strategic I'M
provements and VIII Go
to Hawaii.


WASHINGTON, July 14.--Naval prob
lens of prime military Importance are
involved in the forthcoming trip OF tho
Pacific feet from Hampton Roads to
the West coast. The feet is to be sent
through the Panama Canal virtually
under war conditions so that the Navy
Department may know by practical ex-
perience how long 1t takes to get the
fleet through and which are the best
means for providing fuel, supplies, re-
pairs, etc. 1t is estimated now that
the two fleets of equal strength on the
Atlantic and Pacific can be brought to-
gether in case of emergency in eight
days
Arrival of the feet on the West coast
will give far greater strategic importance
TO the Pacific Coast than has heretofore
been the case and naval stations dock
ing facilities. &c. are soon to be built
up as consequence of the new policy.
BY the time the fleet reaches San
Francisco about August 3. there will
be assured to tine West coast adequate
naval protection for the future, with
plans facilitated for cooperation Of the
two major fleets IL occasion should
arise.
Admiral Rodman, commanding the
Pacific fleet, explained further details OF
the coming cruise. After leaving Hamp-
ton Roads. about July 22. the dread
Roughts and destroyers will reach the
Panama Canal after a six days run.
Trip VIII BE Made slowly.
The ships will proceed at cruising
speed of approximately twelve knots in
order to save fuel and partly because
there will be many green bluejackets
aboard the ships. Then there will come
the test of great strategic importance TO
ascertain "how eXpeditiously the fleet
can be put through the Canal" The
Canal will be tested also as base OF
supplies, particularly with respect TO re-
fueling facilities, oil docks. coal docks,
repair facilities, &c.
Upon arrival at San Diego the fleet
will await the arrival of Secretary
Daniels, who desires to look over tho
coaling station, the aviation station and
other naval establishments in that vicin-
ity. II is possible that President WILSON
also will be there to make the cruise to
San Francisco aboard the New Mexico
Admiral Rodnlan's flagship.
Secretary Danielss inspection Will he
for the purpose OF examining facilities
on the Pacific coast with view to ind-
ing out where they need strengthening.
San Francisco plans to give the feet
cordial welcome. Shore liberty Will
be given TO the men there and at other
l~orts of call and facilities will be eX-
tended to the public to see the ships.
At the same time an energetic recruiting
campaign Is to be conducted and men
will be able to go directly aboard the
ships and enlist.
Daniels to Visit Pearl Harbor.
Secretary Daniels. on board one OF the
dreadnoughts, will proceed to Hawaii to
see the completed dry dock at Pearl
Harbor, this trip consuming altogether
about three weeks. The fleet will then
assemble at the Bremerten Navy Yard.
at Puget Sound, which is the only place
that offers suitable accommodations.
Admiral Rodman explained that tho
feet will be complete and include all
types of ships, dreadnoughts. cruisers.
destroyers. submarines supply ships.
fuel ships, hospital ships and mine
layers. As much care will be given
TO the upkeep and development OF tho
Pacific fleet as will be given to the
Atlantic fleet. Furthermore, there will
he keen rivalry between the two feets
in order to promote efficiency Admiral
Rodman and the commander of the At
lantic fleet, Animal Wilson, were
classmates and they are rivals besides
being friends of forty years standing