Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-05-07
THE WHITE SQUADRON.
How the Onicers Were Entertained In q
Argentine Republic.

How the Oncers Were Entertained in the
Argentine Republic.
| Rear Admiral John @. Walker, commanding
| the United States squadron of evolution, has
submitted to the Secretary Of the Navy a de-
tailed report of the visit of that squadron to
| the port Of La Plata in the Argentine Repup-
| lie. The report says:
The squadron received every civility from
the administration and authorities of the port.
The Essex joined the flag at Ensenada on the
18th. went with nv personal staff to Buenos
Ayres, placed myself in communication with
| the minister Of the United States and on March
| IA was presented by him to his excellency,
Senior Pellegrini, the president Of the Argen-
| tine Republic.
also paid my respects to the ministers Of
foreign affairs and war (the latter portfolio in
cindlns the navy, which is section of the war
On March l6 President Pellegrini, accom-
panied by the ministers mentioned above.
Rear Admiral Cordero, chief OF staff of the
Argentine navy; Rear Admiral SolIer, COM
handing the active squadron, aud several other
officers Of the navy and army. and escorted by
the United States minister, visited the squad
ron, coming in a special train from Buenos
Ayres, and was received on board the Chicago
with the honors duo the head of the state He
visited the Atlanta and Bennington, and 1 then
entertained him and his party at breakfast in
my cabin. Upon the presidents leaving the
Chicago, In addition to manning the yards and
displaying the Argentine flag AT the main, sa-
lutes OF twenty-ole guns were fired by the
Chicago, Atlanta and bennington, special per
mission to ire in the port having been OBJ
tanned.
The Argentine squadron had anchored OF
the jetties and soon after the salute to the
president Was fired. the Almirante Brown sa-
luted the United States flag with twenty-one
guns which salute WAS returned by the Chi
cago, the Argentine nag being displayed.
On March Ia called upon the governor OF
Duenos Ayres, senior Costa, at his official resi-
dence at La Plata, which city became the cap
ltal OF the province upon the liberalization of
the city OF Buenos Ayres.
Inc province IL by FAR the richest and most
important one in the republic and its governor
occupies position next i'll importance to that
OF the president
IN March ~ Senior Costa returned my call
and with his munster OF public works and sew
eral other Ofnclais breakfasted with me. On
the same day party of prominent and repre-
sentative people OF Buenos Ayres gentlemen
and ladies, both Argentine and foreign, came
down in special car upon the United States
minister's invitation and were entertained on
board the Chicago.
On Monday, March 81, with my staff COM
manding officers and several other officers, |
made q prearran6od visit to the Argentine
squadron lying outside the Enscnada ietties
1 was received on board the Almlrante Brown
by Rear Admiral CorGero, chief of staff of the
Argentine navy, Rear Admiral Solier, COM
handing afoat. and large number of Aryen-
tine naval officers. We wore shown over the
A!n,irante Brown and the men were exercised
at the guns for our benefit. We then were taken
on board the Twenty-ffih OF May and given
excellent opportunities of examining her and
OF witnessing the exercises Of her battery The
Espora and recently received high-sea Thorny-
croft and larrow torpedo boats were with the
squadron. but the water was SO rough that they
could not be boarded. After the visit 10 the
Iwenty-fifth OF May we returned to the Almi-
rante Brown, where a handsome collation. had
been prepared for our entertainment
The toasts proposedand sentiments expressed
were of the most cordial and friendly character.
Tuesday, March ~. accompanied by ten OIL
GERS. dined with the governor Of Buenos
Ayrcs at La Plata. Wednesday. March 23 &C.
companied by sixteen officers. | dined at Buenos
Ayrcs with u number OF prominent citizens.
native and adopted, Of that city. TIE United
States minister and the secretary of legation
were also eunsts at this dinner.
On Thursday, accompanied by my personal
stan ana others, upon the invitation of the
minister OF puolic works and under his escort,
visited the observatory and museum at La
RATA, Doth admirable Institutions.
On Friday WAS invited, with many Off
GERS as could leave the squadron, by Admrals
Cordero and SolIer to visit the "Iigre." one
hour by rail above BuenOs Ayres. This place
IL the Argentine torpedo depot and Rendezvous
ana as close an approach to an arsenal it
possesses. only vessels OF light draft can
enter.
The object OF this invitation was not only to