THE AMERICAN FLEET.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 123, 15 May 1908, Page 4

THE AMERICAN FLEET.

A message in tile .New Vork Kvcnin;; Post ol diltc; March IV staled:—lleal'A<lniit*jil Evans's successor us the. commander of tlie American battleship licet >vas under discussion at the Cabinet meeting thig afternoon. The names ol' Roar-Admirals Emery, Sperry, and Thomas, and Captains Sea ton Schroedcr and Wainwright were considered. It is admitted at the Navy Department that Admiral Evans's physical condition is sueli that he cannot continue in command of tile licet during the voyagj now projected round the world, and home by the Suez Canal. When Secretary Jleicalf came to the White Houso at noon to attend the Cabinet meeting, lie was asked:— "What have you hoard of the condition of Admiral Evans's health*" " Nothing beyond the fact that lie is a very ill man." „

" Has Admiral Evans rei]uested to be relieved of Ins command because of his physical condition?"

"1 am afraid I cannot auwttcr that question just now. I may have a statement. to give out a little later covering that point. At this moment it would not be judicious to say anything about what may be done on account of the Admiral's health."

Dispatches from the fleet since it left Trinidad, its first port of call, have all referred to Admiral Evans# ill health, which has kept, him confined to his ship, and made it impossible for him to take part in any of the festivities or receptions ashore at the ports touched by the Heel. The commander of the fleet is a r offerer from rheumatic gout, and the long conlincment aboard whip, with lack of fresh milk <uid other shore, delicacies, nas undoubtedly added to his sufferings.

Secretary Metcalf said after the Cabinet meeting that Rear-Admiral Thomas would succeed Evans in command of the battleship lleet at San Francisco. Rear-Admiral Cliarle# S. Sperry, who is in command of the fourtli division of the Atlantic fleet, reached the rank ot roar-admiral in Hay, 11100. He was president of the Naval War College at .Newport in 1006, and was the naval delegate to the second peace conference at The Hague. Rear-Admiral Sperry will retire forage on September 3, lflOS.

Rear-Admiral Charles Mitchell Thomas is a native of Pennsylvania, and was graduated from the Naval Academy in 18115, reaching ilie rank of Rear-Admiral in January, Rear-Admiral Thomas will retire for age on October Ist next.