Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-04-10
RUSSIA GETS HEREFIRS7
The General Admiral to Have
 the Right of Line.
A DELICATE QUESTION SETTLED

The First Foreign Vessel Arriving Was to
 Have the Special Honor-Commanders Honorins Each Other Salute to Secre- tary Morton-Plenty of Hotel Room.
 FoRT MONROE, Va, April 10.-The Russian officers of the General Admiral are the lions of the day here, both socially and officially. Besides being the first foreign CTS to whom American hospitality has been extended, they now have prior claim to the right of the line, and their arrival just at this time has solved the problem as to which nation would lead the great review Into New York harbor.
 The Navy Department looked upon this as delicate question, for Spain, Italy and England each seemed to have just claim for this distinction-one,b because the Span ish flag was the first upon the soil of the New World; another because Columbus was native of Italy; and the third, be cause her admiral was the ranking officer of the fleet. The department cut the Cor dion knot, however, by deciding that the nation first upon the scene would be given the van of the fleet.
 For several days it has been said, Vice Admiral Hopkins was lying to the cast of the cape, awaiting the other vessels of the English squadron, determined that he would bring the first foreign vessel to join the flag of Admiral Gherardi. Nothing has yet been seen of the Blake or the Cross of St. George.
 Early yesterday morning Admiral Cher ardi and his staff dOnned official full dress ! and went over to pay respects to Capt Besobrasoff, commanding the cruiser | General Admiral. As this distinguished
 
 l Admiral Gherardi turned to his host and l begged that he would dispense with the l customary salute. The captain insisted, | and only acquesced when informed that l the Admiral had decided to waive all per l sonal salutes.
 ! To the surprise of all at Fort Monroe, l however, the guns of the flagship Phila delphia boomed across the dazzling waters | of the roads this afternoon at ) o'clock. As the naval regulations do not anmt of | any salutes being fired from an American | war vessel on Sunday, except when to re- l truin from this courtesy might give offCnSe | to a foreign nation, it was thought that l this salute was to Captain Besobrasotf when he returned Admiral Gherardi's visit. It proved to be an honor to Secretary of Agriculture Morton, who, in company with eX-Governor Francis of Missouri, visited the Philadelphia, and as he intended lcuv- ing soon for Washington, Admiral Cher | ardi saluted him with seventeen guns. | Tomorrow the entire fleet, with the cx- ception of the flagship Philadelphia, will go to sea to remain until Friday. Tn, vessels of the squadron will standardizt their screws and ascertain the evolutionary powers of each vessel. The Philadelphia would have gone also, but she will remain to keep the Russian cruiser company. it be ing deemed bad form to leave the foregl | visitor alone in the harbor
 The General Admiral has been inspected Oy number of visitors to-day from dawr until dark. In appearance sho is smaller than the Philadelphia, although she i rated as an armQred cruiser of 4,G04 ton displacement. She is bark riggcd and ha. the following dimensions: Length, 2S; feet inches; beam, 49 feet 8 inches draught 23 feet II inches: horse power 4,412; speed, 13 knots. The General Ad miIal is an iron vessel, copper sheathed and protected by d partial belt of 6 inches She has no tUrret or battery armor, an, carries six S-inch guns, two of inches and seven machine guns, one with two fir ing tubes for torpedoes