Instructions have been received here to prepare to coal the big American Atlantic fleet of sixteen battleships at Honolulu this summer, by which time there will be at least 70,000 tons of Navy coal in the sheds and yards of the department at this station, there being present between 40,000 and 45,000 tons.

A fleet of colliers will accompany the battleships from San Francisco to the Philippines, but it is now expected, by those informed at this port, that the big fleet will come here in squadrons and for this reason: There is no drydock or repair station here and since but one squadron could be conveniently accommodated in the harbor for coaling, a dozen monsters would have to lie outside the harbor—a proposition that is considered risky during maneuvers where there is no repair retreat. But, if the fleet is broken into squadrons, the four squadrons will be here within ten days of each other, the second squadron following here just as the first squadron is leaving for Cavite.

Instructions have also been sent from Washington to Cavite to begin arrangements for coaling the fleet there in the fall and the coal supply at Cavite is to be kept at 135,000 tons.

These arrangements are to be made to coal the ships from lighters, an arrangement which may also be made here if it should be decided to send the entire fleet here and a unit for maneuvering, in spite of the fact that there is no drydock.

The Navy Department according to the latest advice from Washington admit that the fleet will reach Cavite by fall, calling at Honolulu about July 1st.

Hawaii Naval Station will also be prepared to receive six or eight vessels , from the Pacific division of the Navy, which are expected to accompany Admiral Evans' fleet to the Philippines.