New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-06-20

THE WHITE SQUADRON IN ENGLISH
WATERS-APPROACHI FES-
INVITES AT KEEL.


week. The White Squadron. with four ships ana
ce,no, hundred men. has been at anchor two or
,,r,a miles from the busting Watergate Per,
,,a hundreds of Americans have come down from
london 70 visit It, Full advantage has been taken
-, sbore leave privileges by officers and men. and
,ha uniform of the United States Navy has been
constantly seen in the streets. The band on the
neeship has played Hail Columbia whenever
an American liner has come in or gone out, ana
every vessel Of the squadron has been cheereu
by travellers whose patriotic impulses have Deen
stirred by the sight Of the nag In few days the
c, ouis the first great liner built in an American
shipyari will be here to challenge admiration
and criticism from the English public. which had
assumed with only too much reason until recent
w. that the United States had ceased 10 be
maritime nation. The finest American squadron
over seen in English waters and the most lux
uricus ocean steamship ever built in any shlpyard
in the world offer indub!tabe evidence that the
flag has not vet been furled on the high seas
The American and Italian warshps, eight in ALL
present beautiful spectacle for incoming travel
lers passing from the Solent into Southampton
Water The san Francisco, the flagship, lies
nearest the town. with the Marhlehead close by.
and tho New-York and Columbia further out.
Tho New-York with her slopng steel deck and
side Mating and her eigl.t-inch guns mounted IN
turrets fore and aft. and an additional one on
each beam sponsored out. is the most forinldaple
one in appearance; but English critics persist in
believing that she is neither a faster nor more
efficient vessel than either the Blake or the Ben-
helm. The san Francisco and the Maroehead
are smaller cruisers. which attract little attention
because they are representative ships Of a tamil
lar class 1t is the Columbia that eXctes curiosity
I'm English waters She Is essentially original ana
unioue She bears no resemblance 10 any otner
war vessel ever seen in European waters. she Is
Yankee notion. With no barheties or other pro-
tect,ons for guns. and with the masts and smoke
pipes Of an ordinary transatlantic liner. her real
character as a commerce-des,royer is successfully
concealed She looks innocent. but English critics
acknowledge frankly that in war time she would
have the promise of the potency of a dozen Ala
bamas With her record IF 22.S knots. and coal
capacity that will enable ner 10 steam around the
world at ten knots without replenishing the bunk
ers the Columbia is a revelation TO European
naval experts of the resources OF Yankee lngehu-
!ty The other American ships are family praised
as good of their kind; but the Columbia Is referred
10 with intense curiosity and undissuised interest
us IL worth while" asks the meditatve Enghsh
expert, ito build commerce-destroyers n times
of profound peace. when nations are not allowed
by their industrial and business classes to go 10
war;" Then he adds, with stark naked canuor'
What would become of the British merchant
marine II a dozen Columbus were TO be let loose
against it?'
Admiral Kirkland had been hoping 10 sail Tor
copenhagen by the middle OF the week but dis
patches from Berlin announcing that German
official had started for Southampton TO explain
the.programme for the Kiel manoeuvres have de-
tanned him AS soon as this dgnitary arrives ana
the formalit.es are concluded. the White Squadron
will run out of Southampton Water probably by
the end Of the week The Admiral, while 4 most
capable and energetic commander Of a fleet, has
sailors dislike for ceremonals and CIVIC enter
tanments. He plays his part we'll as wheh yes
terday he made graceful and hearty response
for the officers Of the White Squadron, who were
Entertained with the italian officers by the Mayor
of southampton at luncheon in the Council Chaih-
Der: but he prefers sea duty to shore festivities
He is a rigid dscpnarian and strict eons'ruc-
ZIONIST of naval regulations anu department III
structions, and breads the effect upon the crews
Of q protracted stay in a hosptabe English port
He will send the squadron 10 sea as soon as ne
can do so with proper Difference for the wishes OF
IN. authorities at Berlin The Marblehead, under
Commander O'Neiu will be ordered directly 70
Hamburg where II can take its place among the
,ght-draught vessels which are 10 60 through the
Baltic Canal when the waterway is formally
onened The three larger ships Will find their way
each by itself to Copenhagen. the Admiral not
having any taste for naval parade In the Nor'h
Sea. At Copenhagen the feet will remain several
DAYS for final touches Of fresh paint ana MONDAY
dress Then the squadron will run up TO klel IN
close order and anchor at the station assigned 10
H. During the festival week Admiral kirkland
will transfer his flag temporarily 10 the Ne"-h H.
where there are larger accommodations Tor the
reception Of guests than are offered on the San
Francisco.
Admiral Krkland's junior officers are enjoying
,be,r Euronean cruise and looking forward with
Measurable anticipation 10 the spendid naval
nareants at Kiel. Captain Evans. Of the New
York. has not had any duck-shooung In the soien''
nor has he explored the Businesses Of New-Forest;
IN, he IS making the most Of what Will be snort
halliday for the New-York with the Columbia VIII
return TO America as soon as the festivities are
over AT KEEL Captain Sumner. Of the Columbia
and Captain Shepard. OF the San Francisco are IN
excellent health and spirits, and deterHlheu u
have their ships in perfect condition FOR the APP
proaching manoeuvres. Although two OF inc
cruisers have had n winters cruise In the MedieI-
ranean and may need docking and overnaurhB'
the White Squadron Is In fine order ana the ih"i-
ale OF the force is all that 1t should BE- Amcri-
can. will have no cause 10 De ashaiH'" 81 ''e
fleet which is To represent them In the approach
,,v International pageants at Kiel While there
win not be a battesh!p in the White squadron
there will be four distinctive types OF war vessels
zach tho hest OF IT'S class and an original snip
unlike ANYTHING now ahoat In European waters
The Kiel celebration will bring together inc
largest number Of modern warshlps ever "S9ei'i
bled in any port There Will DC at icaSl 10
Of all classes. and as many as twenty vi '"e"'
.lal.l 10 la
may be considered the most formidaDie maine
batteries ever constructed. Germany VIII nave
~, oxhib,tion in four fleets eight battleships' SIX
o~.a,a.,erco sbips. the cruisers Kaserin An
800. and Cedon. one Of which is reported to nave
$500 % tro.s IN her trial trips; eight training
-, It., d,s,a,ch-boats and yachts. a fOtilla OF