The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-04-17
A MAT TER OF ETIQUETTE.
1t Is Stirring Up the Naval Forces
Now Lying in Hamp-
ton Roads.
Tho Russian Captain Was First to
Welcome the French
War Ship.
That Honor, 1t IS CIhimed, ShOuId HIVE
Been Accorded To Those Whose
Guest uo Is.

FORTRESS MONROE. Va, April 1.-The
flag of Italy and the tti-color OF France
float to-day over the white. capped waves
which rentlesay rise and fall in Hampton
Roads. Two new foreign vessels arrived.
the Giovanni Bausan, and the Jean Bart
making seventeen men Of war now in the
harbor. All this afternoon brilliant pic-
ture was presented. Launches and cutters
sped to and fro across the waters, carrying
parties to men, -of-war and back again. The
excursion boats thronRed with spectators
and with monuments of flags, a
score OF yachts with signals and remnants as
varied as Kaleidoscope, added to tho
beauty with their graceful forms and wide
spread sails. Upon the shore. busting
throngs in the hotel lobby, gay groups of
stylishly dressed women ON the board
walks and sunny piazzas. gave a spirit Of
animation to the sunny scene that would
make puritan father seek refuge in the
bleak forest of another continent.
When the French ship Jean Bart came TO
anchor the captain OF the Russian ship
Admiral General stepped into his gig aud
started rapidly az four oars could oar.y
him toward the new arrival, reaching the
latter's side while the boarding office. from
the Baltimore was still some distance away
and was being received with due honors
The general impression of naval officers ia
that the osten tatious haste of the Russian to
welcome the latest arrival 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. aud said any vessel could thus
formally Welcome another. there being no
established rule of precedence. At the
same time. there 10 q feeling that under the
circumstances where foreign ships are here
by invitation from the United States gov
ernment to participate in celebration, ii
would have been more courteous to have al
lowed the American officer to have boarded
the Frenchman first.
The only other incident 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 ns the
by the booming of cannon.
Tonight the British squadron of five
vessels. under command OF the vice ad-
mlral. is believed to be lying off the Vir-
Rlnia capes preparatory to entering the
roads early in the morning. The roads
to-niRht presented an unusually brilliant
effect. Admiral Gherardi will give the
first dinner to the visiting officers and COM
msndeEs of the American ships Tuesday
night, and from then on until the departure
of the feet for New York there will be a
round of dinners and entertainments
throughout the week. Each ship in the
fleet will be expected to entertain the Off
GERS of some foreign ship to be designated
by Admiral Gherardi, and this In itself will
keep every ship busy looking after tho on
joyment of the guests in the day, and in
the evening they will attend naval dances
at the hotel,