London, Dec. 26.
British troops in the Saar spent cheerful Christmas Day. greatest significance was attached to the fact' that Admiral Reeves made the announcement simultaneously with the action of Japan In denouncing the Naval Limitations Treaty.
total of 177 surface craft, including battleships, cruisers, des troyers, minesweepers, minelayers, destroyers and auxilliry ships, as well og 577 aeroplanes and the dirigible USS. Macon will participate.
The Midway Islands, northwest of the Hawaiian Islands," will be the advanced base of the fleet but the tactical exercises may require the warcraft to steam further west to Wake Island, Some ships of the Asiatic Fleet may meet the Battle Fleet and Scouting Force men-o'-war somewhere in the mid-Pacific.
For the purposes of the manquvres the United States fleet may be divided into three separate units, Admiral Reeves said.
The "'Southern Fleet" will proceed from San Diego and San Pedro and sweep westward toward Pearl Har-Dour in the Hawaiian Islands. Meanwhile the "Northern Fleet" will move stealthily along the Aleutian chain to secret bases which the Naval Air Service hes been quietly mapping for the past several years, From the "Main Fleet" a base force consisting of repair ships, tankers, tenders and other auxiliary' craft, will be sent to the Midway Islands, Gunnery exercises and other such activities will be held by the Fleet off the Pacific Coast of the mainland prior to departure for the manceuvres In the Pacific, {t was announcea—United Press.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.