On Monday the American fleet of sixteen battleships, which is
to cruise round the Horn to the Pacific, left Hampton Roads after being reviewed by Mr. Roosevelt. It is estimated that this great naval undertaking, -which will be watched with the greatest interest all over the world, will cost about two millions sterling. Mr. Roosevelt has said that the main purpose of the cruise is educa- tional ; he very properly regards it as the duty of the Navy to become an efficient sea-going fleet, not content with the weak and dangerous policy of guarding coast towns, but ready to search out and engage the enemy wherever he may be. Of course we cannot disguise the fact that the arrival of this great fleet in the Pacific when relations between Japan and the United States are delicate may be misunderstood. Mr. Roosevelt, however, bad made up his mind that the cruise was desirable long before the protests against Japanese immigration were raised, and it is characteristic of him not to be frightened from his purpose by what be probably thinks is a passing difficulty. Much depends on the good sense of the American people, and we ' must hope .that' the . popular demonstrations on the Pacific shores which the special correspondent of the Times, foresees will not lead to any mischief.
