New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-27

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Lepanto with her hundred-ton guns. France
has the small armored cruiser Amiral Pothuau,
timed for nineteen knots and Austria the small
coast-defence ship Wien with two turrets and
complete steel belt. Japan has fine new
cruiser Of the Centurion class, and Germany the
Kong Wilhelm. whose ram sent the Grosser
Kurftrst to the bottom Of the sea twenty years
ago.
THE AMERICAN FLAG IN EVIDENCE.
The American flag floats proudly over Ad-
miral Millers ship. the Brooklyn, whose tall
tunnels. rising like factory stacks. are seen from
every deck in the fleet, and whose reputation for
high speed and coal endurance has made deep
impression upon the naval experts here. Other
foreign craft less noticeable. Beyond is
great swarm Of excursion steamers the Ameri-
can liner New-York and the White Star liner
| Teutonic. armed as a cruiser being conspicuous
| among them
| When the hour approached for the review OF
this mighty armada by the Prince Of Wales1
every ship, large and small was crowned with
| rainbow Of flags from stem TO taffrail. There
were streamers floating from every spar and
stunted mast-a wonderful display OF color In
mid-channel-and decks swarming with sailors
and marines But splendid the spec
tacle when the Prince welcomed with the
thunder Of this stupendous fleet, these battle
ships, cruisers and torpedo craft could not be
dressed and manned for a holiday like the heav-
| ily-rigged frigates Of former days. The modern
fleet. with all its improvements in mechanism
and battery power, cannot rival in picturesque
beauty and power of exciting enthusiasm the
glories Of the ships of the line in Nelson's day
with every yard manned with blue e-jackets That
was indeed sight for gods and men. while to-
days exhibition a display OF marine en-
cheering deficient in imaginative charm anf
fascination.
WONDERFUL. SPECTACLE
Still it was wonderful spectacle. surprising
that at Kie two years ago. Ships with their yell
low tunnels and military masts. were so closely
massed that they looked from distance like
floating factory town with tall chmneys and
Maypoles. When viewed from the mouth Of
Portsmouth Harbor, where Nelson's Victory lay
moored, ahame with bunting though another
Trafalgar had been fought, it was like mirage
Of the Jubilee festivity, rich in color fantastic in
effect, and only lacking perspective.
Speedily the illusion was dispelled as the line
Of smaller craft was approached. and beyond it
were deserted battle-ships and cruisers with long
guns protrudng from their sides and their decks
lined with sailors and marines. Then 1t was con-
verted into holiday fleet awaiting the coming
of royalty, but vast in proportions that
1t could not be seen a whole, but only ship by
ship as watery lanes between lines were slowly
traversed
Like all naval spectacles, this review was brill
liant in color, but dull in movement and monot-
onous for spectators. When the Prince started,
the grim iron monsters with all their destructive
powers under restraint. played at war by ex-
changing salutes, one giving signal to another
and answering gun with gun. The salute was
repeated In quarter Of an hour. and then the
Princes yacht entered the first lane OF the float
ing town. followed by a procession Of steamers,
carrying royal guests, special ENJOYS and dpo-
matte corps. Colonial Premers and the Houses
OF Parliament.
REVIEWED BY THE PRINCE.
Every ships crew cheered he went by. and
every band played. This was the naval review,
and when the last lines of foreign and British
ships had been passed by the big liner Campania
there was long pause, filled with snatches OF
music from all the big ships. When the royal
yacht anchored near the flagship there was a
prolonged cheer from 10000 men in the fleet.
The reception of admirals and other guests on
board the royal yacht followed, and many ex-
cursion steamers passed up and down the lines.
Tonight the Prince made second inspection,
when incandescent lamps took the place Of rain
bow circuits of bunting, and every important
ship was girdled in electric light to the waters
edge, barbettes masts. hulls and guns being
dimly seen through the mists of radiance. with
this glorious spectacular effect the splendid pag-
cant ended. The weather had been perfect until
& o'clock when drenching rain set in, ending
in thunderstorm, and confirming the rain
makers Theory that showers can be brought out
of a clear sky by firing guns in the air.
The Colonias and the Indian Princes were en-
abled to witness the show in consequence Of the
Admiralty providing vessels for them at the
last moment. One Of the swarthiest and most
regal of the Indian worthes celebrated the oc-
casion by nonchaantly pulling the cord on the
train bound for the steamer, and bringing 1t TO
a full stop for ten minutes before His EXcellency
was understood. More sober minded Colonial
guests were content to gaze from one ship 10
another and to be thrilled with feeling of pride
in sharing the glory and power of the British
Empire.
The names Of many ships those Of heroes
Ike Rodney who had created that Empire by
naval victories in what are now Colonial waters,
and a glimpse Of that mighty fleet ought to have
sufIlced to convince every Canadian Australian
and South African that the Queens vast realm
IS strongly protected and absolutely secure. The
naval pageant might have been a dull entertain
ment for the immense concourse of spectators,
but IL had a logic OF its own as unansWerable as
Pismarck's gospel Of blood and iron. l. y. +.
SMARTEST OF THE FOREIGN SHIPS.
THE CREpIrABLE SHOWING MADE BY THE
BROOKLYN AT THE REVIEW.
Portsmouth, June 26.-On board the Brooklyn |
during the review to-day there were a number |
Miller and the other officers of the United States |
cruiser They included Mrs. Levi F. Morton |
and her daughter. Mr.. and Mrs. John Meiggs |