The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-09-03
WITH HIS SUITE OF FORTY PER
SONS Ii LANDS AT
NEW YORK.
HIS WELCOME WIS A GRAND ONE.
The Flower of the American Navy Was
Therefor. Ruger Formally We'll
coined Him in Behalf of
President Cleveland


on board the fleet of American warshps
at anchor off Tomkinsville, Staten Island,
with the usual ceremonies, the band of
the flagship playing "The Star Spangled
Banner
Shortly afterwards the crews of all the
| ships were busily engaged in polishing
and furnishing the ceiling, oiling and
cleaning, vigorously placing the finish
ing touches upon the naval fnery dis
played in all its glory in honor of Uncle
Sam and preparatory to welcoming Ii
Hung Chang, the grand old man of
China, the statesman of many titles, in
an appropriate manner
Shortly after the announcement at 8
o'clock that the st. Louis was sighted
east of Fire Island, throngs of people
crossed the ferries or by other routes to
Fort Wadsworth, Fort Hamilton, Bay
Ridge, Quarantine, Tompkinsville and
other points from which the arrival and
greeting of the distinguished guest of
| the nation could be witnessed to the best
| advantage.
Other crowds focked to the battery,
and still others stationed themselves at
| an early hour in the vicinity of the Amer
lean line deck, where the traveller was to
land 1t is doubtful if New York bay
ever presented Il grander sight than it
| did this morning. for anchored there in
stately strength were eleven of the war
ships of the new navy of the United
| States. the embodiment of grace and
| strength, of speed and power.
The Chinese statesman. at the review
at Spithead, after he visited Queen Vic
toria, was treated to a fine display of
warships, twentyseven battleships and
| cruisers and twenty torpedo destrOyers
| He never set eyes on finer feet than
that commanded by Admiral Bruce to-
| day. Each vessel represented the very
latest improvements. The gallant fleet,
which swung in double column to the
| flood tide at 10 o'clock, rams pointing
| seward, consisted of the following YES
| sells: The Indiana, first-class battle
ship; the New York flagship, frst-class
| armored cruiser; the Massachusetts, first
| class battleship; the Maine, armored
| cruiser; the Texas, second-class battle
snip, Tic uTSI-CluSS CTulScT,
| the Newark, cruiser; the Raleigh, cruis-
er; the Montgomery, cruiser; the Amphi-
| trie, dOuble-turret monitor; the Terror,
| duble-turret monitor.
In addition, placed at the disposal of
| Maj. Gen. Thomas III. Kruger, command
| ing the department of the United States
army, was the steel cruiser Dolphin.
The Dolphin had on board Gen. Kruger
| and staff, and lay off Governors Island
preparatory to steaming down to meet
the st. Louis as soon as the latter was
signalled in the lower BAY. At the
American line pier were stationed four
troops of the Sixth Cavalry, United
States army, and II detachment of the
naval reserve. The former were de-
tailed to escort the great Chinaman up
Broadway to the Waldorf hotel, and the
latter acting as Il guard of honor at the
dock, which was appropriately decorated
for the occasion. the United States flag
and the yellow standard of China, with
its black dragoon rampant, predominant
ing. On board the Dolphin with Ger.
Rugcr were the Chinese minister, Yang,
and suite, the Chinese consul, a few
specially invited guests and representa-
tive of the Associated Press. Also how
ering about the bay was a fleet of sail
and steam yachts excursion boats and
probably more interested in seeing the
ships of the so-caled white squadron"
fire their twcnty-One guns salute than i'll
witnessing the arrival of the Chinese en-
vOy.
Ii Hung Changes suite consists of
about forty persons, and he has with him
about 300 pieces of baggage, some being
of immense size.
The sumptuous coffin which he carries
with him as matter of procaution has
been sent back via the Suez canal, which
would seem to indicate the traveller has
no fear of dying before reaching his
native land again.
The Chinese flag is floating from the
Waldorf hotel, where Ii Hung Chang
and MS suite occupy the state apartments
and have special kitchen accommoda-
tons.
The Dolphin steamed down the bay
with Gen. Kruger and the guests on board
shortly after 10 o'clock, and at 1910 she
dropped anchor off quarantine, awaiting
the arrival of the st. Louis. The st.
Louis arrived off quarantine at 1890,
and was Immediately boarded by the
government welcoming committee, from
the Dolphin. who extended to the Chinese
statesman in behalf of President Clevc-
land a welcome to the United States.
The st. Louis slowly moved up the bay,
with the Dolphin quite near her. to the
music of II tremendous chorus of steam
whistles and a continued fusilade of
giant frecrackers, etc.
As the St. Louis neared the American
fleet the first gun in honor of the Chinese
visitor was fired from the New York.
and continued until twenty-one shots had
been fired. The New York was the only
warship to fire salute but the others
dipped their colors as the st. Louis pass
ed. They presented magnificent APP
pearance and were watched with great
interest by the Chinese ambassador and
his suite from the position they occu-
pied from the deck of the American
liner. At quarantine it was learned that
Ii Hung Chang stood the voyage re-
markedly well.
The st. Louis was dockcd at ] 30 p. III.
All kinds Of craft dashed here and there,
but avoided accidents by n series of mi
racles. The yellow standard of China
was loudly cheered by the crowds about
the wharf as the bow of the big ship
neared the landing place. The Chinese
party was received at the pier by the
guard of honor of the marine infantry
and an immense crowd of people, which
was with difficulty kept back from the
approaches by a large force of police.
The Chinese standard was hauled
down from the American liner at 2:15 p.
m. as the Chinese ambassador landed on
the wharf and entered the carriages in
If