The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-05-25
THE TOWN IN GALA DRESS
A AMERICAN. BRITISH AND GER
MAN FLAGS ENT'WINED.
UNWILLING OF WcTONlA'S POR TRAIT
The Drsp.ry Falls at Touch Of Button by Gov.
Roosevelt at Albany, While American
and British Marines Clasp
Hands Before Portrait.

Port Tampa, Ia, May 24-The great
that OF the celebration of Queen Victo-
ria's eightieth birthday, opened bright
and warm. As the sun appeared on the
horizon salntes were fired from the Brit
ish and American war vessels lying in
the harbor. and from then on events
crowded rapidly on each other. The
shipping in the harbor was CAV with
its dressing of flags and pennants and
throughout the town was a liberal dis
play of flags, bunting and floral decora-
tions. The flags of the two nations
taking part in the ceremonies, the Brit
ish and the American were foated from
every point of vantage and among them.
showing conspicuously, were many Ger
man flags The most striking feature
of the decorations was a triumphal arch
displaying the British lion and the
American flag eagle In one paw the
lion grasped an American flag and i'm
one claw the eagle waved the British
colors, the entire arch being twimad
with American, British and German
flags.
Two hundred marines from the Intre-
pid and Pearl, the two British cruisers
sent to take part in the celebration land
ed at O'Clock in the morning and were
escorted up the long dock by the Port
Tampa division of the Florida naval re-
serves, the Englishmen playing the
American national airs and the Ameri-
cans responding with the British an
thems. Arms were presented as they
PASSED under the arch. the shipping in
the harbor rent the air with its steam
whistles and gongs and the spectators
cheered themselves horse.
The most dramatic incident of the day
WAS the unveiling of a large portrait
of Queen Victoria. The portrait draped
in the flags of the two countries stood
upon a small balcony of The Inn and
before it stood crowd of expectant
watchers. At neon precisely in the
capital at Albany. n. Y. Governor
Theodore Roosevelt touched an electric
button. the covering fell from the face
and two marines, English and American
standing on either side of the portrait
clasped each others hands in token of
the amity of the two great nations
The people cheered wildly and off in the
harbor was heard the heavy guns of the
warships, firing the Queens salute.
AT | O'Clock a banquet was rendered
the officers of the British warships and
other distinguished guests, at which the
speeches were marked by a cordial fra
ternity of spirit and interchange of good
feeling between the representatives of
her Brittanic Majesty ard those of the
Republic. The Queens health and that
of the President were drunk with enthu-
slasm. and toasts to the British and
American navies were received with
cheers. President II. b. Plant. of the
Plant System of railroads, YVES The sub
ject of especial felcitation on tie near
approach of his eightieth birthday.
Governor Roosevelt sent message of
congratulatiOn to Colonel Wright.
cable greeting also came from Lord
Tennyson. Governor General of New
South Wales
The British marines were not permit
ted to land under arms today. and Il tre-
mendous sensation was the result. Last
week the War Department was asked
to give permission to allow two hundred
men from the British men-of-war to land
to participate in the celebration. This
permission was granted by wire. This
morning the permission was revoked by
wire, stating that as the request was not
customary, permission would be with
held. In view of the fact that two years
ago such permission was granted for the
men of the Palas to land and partici-
pate in the ceremonies and the fact that
in February last permission was granted
the cadets from Toronto to cross into the
United States ard remain here a week
under arms, the refusal Of the War De
partment was rather unexpected. 1t was
all the more so after the permission had
been granted.