Birmingham state herald., 1896-02-13
MARDl GRAS NEWS.
The Mystery of the Flying Squadron Explained. ' England WId-Rex Vulcan l the
 [ Cause of the Excitement.

MT. E. Lesser, the president of the car nivaf society," is in receipt of the follow ing cable:
 London, Feb. 11.-Day before yesterday morning the flying squadron lying off Spithead, in connection. with the men-of- war, Camperdown, Majestic, Magnificent, Powerful Trafalgar, the Empress of In- .dia and Inflexible, including twenty tor pedo boats, commanded by Admiral Sir Frederick w. Richards and Rear Admi- ral Sir J. Arbutbnot Fisher received in- structions to steam out into the English channel and meet his royal majesty Rex Vulcan 1 on his imperial yaoht, Magic City accompanied by his six men-of-war, Invincible, Terror, Cyclone Terrific, h. ferno and Desperate. The meeting of the two squadrons was the most imposing sight that probably has ever been wit messed from the English or any other coast. The vessels were all gaily deco rated and displayed signals ''WeIcome, Rex Vulcan l." After the firing, of an imperial salute, which was answered by his majesty's men-of-War, the imperial yacht headed for Southampton, all the forts and vessels along the route saluting his majesty as they. passed.
 Immediately upon landing on the new Empress dock, Rex Vulcan was greeted by a number of English admira ls, field matshals and other .dignitarles of the country and city Special trains were in waiting to convey his. majesty at once to London. Arriving at Waterloo station, his majesty was greeted most warmly by the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Con 'naught, the Duke of Cambridge, Lord Salisbury, the lord mayor off London Field Marshal Viscount w Wolseley, Adjt.- Gen. Sir Redvers Butler, Maj.-Gen. George Luck, c. B. and other high dig .nitaries and foreign diplomats. His majesty was escorted to Buckingham palace where an informal reception was held. -4-et rs.3s =~e.
 Rex Vulcan I unched with the Prince of Wales and in the afternoon visited the house of lords, house of commons, the high court of justice, Westminster ab- bey, the Albert memorial Victoria em- bankment and the British museum The city was in holiday attire and galy deco rated, the colors of Rex Vulcan I, purple, yellow and green, predominating.
 state banquet was given last night in honor of Rex Vulcan I at the palace The Prince of Wales was seated on his right, and on his left was the Duke of Connaught Among those present. were the following:
 Marquis of Salisbury, prime minister Arthur James J. Balfour, first lord of the 5treasury; MT. Joseph Cha mberlain, CO., 'honial secretary; Viscount Cross, lord of sthe privy seal MT. George Goschen, first lord of the admiralty the Hon. Mr Glad 0$tone; the Duke of Devonshfre, president of the council; Lord James of Hereford ochancellor duchy I1ancaster Lord Dunra- iyen and Minister Bayard. .,'a $, Y, It was noted that during the progress 53f the banquent his majesty treated Min ! ister Bayard rather coolly, and it has been stated that this was on account of the coolness between, the. United. States yeongress and senate and him. However, he expressed to .Ministerc BayardY his in-' ftention to set saIi' at 'once for tJamaica. Eand from there he would be the guest of the Plant Stea arnslffp line to America to visit his loyal subjects, at Birmingham Ala, on February g1SsT sseI satiie.s..fa. z This morning his majesty visited Wind sor castle, where he was, privately receiv- ed by Queen Victoria Before leaving the, queen conferred upon him the Kpfghtf1t56d of tfe Garter; and lie in re-. turn bestowed upon ;hef the Grand Dia- mond Star of the Empress of Africa and he also bestowed upon the Prince of Wales the Grand Eagle of Ukongo, on Lord Salisbury thei Cord of Venezuela, on the Duke ofNConnaught.. the Star of Matoppo, on the Duke of Cambridge the Eagle of Khamas. and upon MT, Glad stone the Diamond Star of the Transvaal, but a decoration of no kind was conferred on Minister Bayard. a2-dG @,a5
 His majesty left immediately on special trains fer the Isle of Wight, where his yacht and escort have been waiting, and they set sail for Cuba 's"
 JAMES R. ROOSEVELT,
 Secretary American Lega tion.