The morning call., 1893-04-17
ALIEN SOUADRONS.
The Gathering in Hamp-
ton Roads.
SEVENTEEN VESSELS OF WAR.
The Fleet Augmented by the Arrival
of an Italian and French
Cruiser.
Special to THE MORNING CALL.

FORTRESS MONROE, Va. April 16 The
flag of Italy and the tri-eolor of France float
to-day over the white-capped waves which
restlessly rise and fall in Hampton Roads
Tive new foreign vessels have arrived-the
Giovanni Bausan and the Jean Bart-making
seventeen men-of-war in the harbor
All this afternoon a brilliant picture was
presented. Launches and cutters sped to
and fro across the waters, carrying parties
to the men oi-war and back again. The ex-
cursiOn boats. thronged with spectators of
the scene, were moving monuments of flags.
Scores OF yachts. with signals and pen
nants as varied as the kaleidoscope, added
to the beauty their graceful forms and wide
spread sails.
Upon the shore busting throngs in the
hotel lobby, gay groups of stylshly dressed
women on the broad and sunny piazZ s
gave spirit and animation to Sunday scene
that would have made a Puritan father seek
refuge in the bleak forest of another conti-
nent.
When the French ship Jean Bart came to
anchor the captain of the Russian man-of-
war stepped into his gig and started as
rapidly as four oars could carry him toward
the new arrival, reaching the latter's side
while the boarding officer from the Balti-
more was still some distance away and
being received with due honors.
The general impression among naval Off
GERS as TO the osentatIous haste of the
Russian to welcome the latest arrival i ths /
it was meant to emphasize the friendly
relations which Russia desires to cultivate
with France. Admiral Walker, however, in
speaking OF the incident, was not disposed
to regard it in this light, and said that any
vessel could thus formally welcome another,
there being no established rule of prece-
deDCe. At the same time there is a feeling
that under the circumstances. where foreign
ships are assembled by invitation of the
United States Government to participate in
celebration, it would have been more
courteous to have allowed the American
officer 10 board the Frenchman first.
The only Other incidents of the day were
the reporting for duty of the young Danish
lieutenant, who is to serve on staff duty
under Admiral Walker, and the Sunday
services. The latter were in progress as he
Jean Bart arrived, and we're sadly disturbed
by the booming cannon.
Tonight the British squadron OF five
vessels, under the command of a vice
admiral. is believed to be lying off the
Virginia capes preparatory to entering the
4O"uo ealiS 'u VIC ulol mug Inc TOauS To-
night presented an unusually brilliant effect.
Admiral Gherardi will give the first din
ner to the visiting officers and the com
manders Of our ships Tuesday night, and
from then on until the departure of the
fleet for New York there will be rounds of
dinners and entertainments throughout the
week. Each ship in the fleet will be ex-
pected to entertain the officers OF some for
eign ship, to be designated by Admiral
Gherardi. and this in itself will keep every
ship busy looking after the enjoyment Of
our guests in the day. and in the evening
they will attend the nava! dances at The
hotel.