UNITED STATES FLEET.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 49, 26 August 1907, Page 7

UNITED STATES FLEET.

BATTLESHIPS WILL START FOR THE PACIFIC. Uy Telegraph. — Press (Usooiation — Copj-righl, (R-iccived August 20, 9 a.m.) f NEW YORK, 25th Augu*. It is officially announced, alter a con1 forence between President Roosevelt and tie Navy Department, that sixteen battleships will jtart in December, via Magellan Straits, {or San Fratieiseo. A flotilla of destroyers will sail at the Eaihe time, but will not accompany the fleet. The pioposed voyage of the United States fleet to the Pacific vras recently serni-officially discussed' in the Marquis Ito's journal. The paper stated :— "We cannot hdp feeling some misgivings -tvith regard to the significance of the intended massing of American battleships in the Pacifiq, especially "in view of th'o grandiose announcement attributed to President RoosevelJ, to the tffect that {-lie United States navy will furnish to- tfite wpria a , startling demonstration of America's difehiive capacity. It is diincult for us to accept the assurance that the coining manoeuvres do not possess any connection whatever with the -situation between Japan and America. We regret that Washington thinks it necessary to take what resembles a precautionary measure. However, we are.not disposed to attach serious importance to this matter, and wxj j have no inclination to doubt the Presi- ! dent's sincerity in assuring one of the- ] peaceful nature of the pioposed manoeu- j vres. Xeither have we the slightest doubt j with regard to the pacific and friendly sentiments of the American Government j and people. What is cilcultaled to excite the blame of Japan is the iiresponsible sections of both nations. N