Arizona republican., 1919-06-26
PACIFIC FLEET. EQUALS ATLANTIC
 IN SHIP POWER ER
Now Being Organized - To Sail About July 15-Dan- iels to Accompany - Will Visit All Coast Ports - Yearly Naval Battles Are Planned

WASHINGTON, June 25.-The re- gently created Pacific fleet, now being organized from vessels heretofore forming d part of the Atlantic forces, win sail from Hampton Roads for the west coast between July l. and 20. Secretary Daniels announced today. Daniels probably win he q passenger un one Of the warships.
 The Pacific Fleet, upon reaching the western coast will visit San Diego. Los Angeles, San Francisco and probably will make the last stop at Puget Sound. Secretary Daniels, if able to make the trip, will visit the Pacific coast naval ylsrds and establishments with a view to making recommendations to con- gress next December for necessary changes.
 The superdreadnaught New Mexico will fly Admiral Hugh Rodman's flag as flagship of the Pacific fleet and the Pennsylvania will remain the flagship N5 the Atlantic fleet. The composition Of the two fleets, Secretary Daniels announced. will be made public within a few days.
 In announcing the date of departure O. the Pacific fleet from Hampton Roads, which is about a month earlier than previously contemplated, Secre-
 
 visiting the Pacific coast in August and that he therefore would make every effort to go on with the fleet in order to study the scope of contem- plated improvements of naval facili- ties at the Panama canal. It was learned at the navy department that extensive changes would be necessary in the naval establishment in the canal zone, especially on the Pacific side, to take care of ct greatly augmented Pa cific fleet.
 Divide Them Equally
 IL was at first decided 10 mdke the Atlantic and Pacific fleets of equal size and strength, the plan was to send al If the oil-burrmg ships to the wes, coast and to keep the coal-hurnins vessels in the Atlantic, due to the geo. graphical position of the nations fue resources. Tins plan has been aban- dCned, it was announceG today be- cause of the facC that such a division Would necessarily make inc two fleets very unequal in size anl gdr power 'Imost all of the newest and best ship: brirg oil burners
 Under the final decision. the two chief units will be as nearly equal 1T number of ships, gunpowder speed and all other clements as it is possible tC make them.
 Secretary Daniels reiterated today tAat he wanted the fleets to be equally matched, so that when it came tt competitions. such as war games, planned by the naval war college, tha the admirals of the two fleets woult oppose each other on such equal term that only strategy and skill could de cEe the issue It was announced tha such "battles" would be held at leas once each year, alternating probabl. between the Atlantic and the Pacific Both fleets will meet at the winte drill area at Guantanamo, Cuba, eacl winter for target practice, maneuver and other exercises as in the past
 In addition, extensive naneuvers an practices are planned for the vicinit of the Hawaiian Islands each year.
 Unite in Two Weeks
 When asked how long it would talk the two great fleets to unite on eac coast in case of threatened danger Secretary Daniels said today that un der ordinary conditions, with the At lantic fleet in the vicinity of Nek Tor and the Pacific fleet around San Fran cisco, the junction could be effecte and the combined fleet ready to mee any foe within two weeks. lThi time, he explained, would of course, much reduced were the fleets operat ing to the south of those ports.
 After every war we have had, tn American navy has gone stale' sai Secretary Daniels today, discussing tn division of the fleets. We intend t match the two fleets one against th other in such stiff competition ths every officer and man will be kept O tiptOe every minute We intend keep the navy just as efficient as is today That will be our hope, or lim and our policy