The United States Asiatic Fleet performed a valuable function in the Far East. Guarding American interests and coöperating with the Allied forces, its vessels operated from the Philippines to the Russian coast. They exerted, as always, decided influence in China, supporting the Chinese Government in its stand with the Allies. Though the Japanese had long before taken Kiao-Chau, the German stronghold, and the Teuton strength was broken, constant efforts were required to prevent the German propaganda and agitation from causing trouble. A sharp lookout was maintained for German raiders. One, the famous _Seeadler_, sank two American vessels in the Pacific. But after it was run down and disposed of, no more raiders appeared. Our vessels in the Pacific were of material assistance to the Army when American troops were sent to Russia to protect the Siberian railway, and again when they were being returned from Russia. Admiral William L. Rodgers succeeded to the command of the Asiatic Fleet in the latter part of 1918 and continued until late in 1919, when he was succeeded by Admiral Gleaves. Some of our vessels were at Vladivostok practically all the time. One of the first suggestions made by the British when we entered the war was that we maintain our force in Asiatic waters, and while the vessels were few in number, they performed excellent and necessary service. [Illustration: EAGLE BOATS AT ANCHOR IN THE ICE OF THE WHITE SEA Insets: Rear Admiral James H. Glennon (left); Admiral Kolchak.] [Illustration: THE HALF-WAY HOUSE The harbor of Ponta Delgada, the naval base in the Azores. Inset: One of the 7" guns at Ponta Delgada manned by U. S. Marines.] CHAPTER XXV THE HALF-WAY HOUSE AZORES VITAL IN NAVAL OPERATIONS--"ORION" CELEBRATED FOURTH OF JULY BY DRIVING OFF U-BOAT THAT WAS SHELLING PONTA DELGADA--HUNDREDS OF AMERICAN SHIPS STOPPED THERE ON THE WAY ACROSS--DUNN IN COMMAND OF BASE--MARINES MANNED GUNS, MAINTAINED AERIAL PATROL--SUBMARINES KEPT OFF SUBMARINES. The Fourth of July, 1917, was ushered in by the booming of American guns, not in the United States, but in the far-away Azores. Bright and early, at 4:45 a. m. (not long after midnight in this country), a German submarine began bombarding Ponta Delgada, the principal city in the islands. The U-boat was one of the largest type, with powerful guns, and she poured a rain of shells that crashed into stores and residences, and exploded in the streets. People were panic stricken. The antiquated forts were no defense. Their guns were not of sufficient caliber to cope with the enemy. Knowing this, the Germans thought they would have a picnic, without any risk or interruption, shelling an undefended city and terrorizing its helpless inhabitants.