The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-03-01
RECEPTION OF QUA BATTLEsH1rs.
In south American Ports While ON
Their Way ManiIaward.

In south American Ports While ON
Their Way ManiIaward.
Lieut. Ackerman Of the Oregan IN Col
Hers Weekly.
Now that the circuit of the continent of
South America has been well-nlgh COM
pleted by the special squadron, it is possl-
BILE to give some Idea of the effect of war
upon the standing of our people, and es-
pecially of our navy. among the Spanish
Americans. In Brazil the reception OF the
ships was more than cordial, and our dip
lomatic and consular representatives won
the hearts and admiration of all by their
effectual manner of showing their full
appreciation of the work of the navy
At Montevideo It was unfortunately neces-
sary to anchor the ships so for out--seven
miies-that for several days only the
hardest and most determined of sight
seers braved wind and sea TO visit them.
Then, when they did come many had a
peculiarly furtlve bearing. as If they half
expected at any moment to be held TO ac-
count for their lately expressed and I'M
friendly remarks. This feeling, however,
quickly passed the visitors day after day
steadily increased In number in spite OF
bad weather, and the more interested be-
gan taking notes. Apparently they did not
believe everything they saw, expecting to
be fooled by wooden imitation or hollow
armor. Where they had obtained this
idea OF Yankee guile no one could tell. but
metal-headed canes passed from hand TO
hand and were in great request for sound
Ing everything that looked like armor.
Others slyly attempted to pierce the 13-
inch barbettes leach plate of which weighs
thirty-four tons) with their pocket knives,
looked wise and passed on. One gentleman
waved his cane airily at heavy ferret.
They're hollow and only for show said
he In Spanish. Later some enthusiastic
friend must have convinced him Of his err
ror, for he was seen excitedly measuring
the thickness of the turret walls through
gum port-armor, backing, framework
and all-and so impressed was he with
( the result that he cut a notch In his hand
come walkingstck 10 show the doubling
Thomases at home the thickness OF the
Americans armor.
In Chile ID was somewhat different. rms
ship had many friends at Sandy Point
where she coaled last April on the famous
race TO Santiago, and all who had seen her
then now claimed interest, and even shar-
ed In her history. They hurried prepara-
tions for a church festival and ball In hon
or of the visiting ships, and in every way
showed hospitality and good feeling. At
NdADdTdiSOy tOO, WHEiC thChC hnA buNA
many believers in the superiority of the
O'Higgins to either or both of our battle
ships there was a revulsion of feeling and
great friendliness. 1t Is not generally
known outside of the navy that prior to
the Baltimore affair there was hardly a
foreign port In the world where Ameri-
can naval officers had more and closer
friends among the best people than IN VAL
paraiso and Santiago Chile.
Manv of the Cshi1iana were Una bla IN ria
themselves Of their surprise at the sight
OF the battleships. Their own ships were
moored in two lines, and when the Oregon
anchored at the head of one and the Iowa
at the head of the other, II seemed as if
they alone, in their unornamented mas
sive simplicity, were built for hard and
enduring work. They looked, Ia fact, like
ugly mastiffs leading lines OF handsome
spaniels; for the CHILEAN ships are hand
some and kept in beautiful condition. They
are perfectly clean their crews well train
ed, and officers who had the opportunity
of critically inspecting their engine-rooms
declare that they also are in splendid con-
dition. AS they lay great stress on tar
get practice. and have batteries of the lat
est type, 1t may be asserted positively that
the Chilean navy Is one of the most effi-
elent in the world, as 1t is also the largest
for the population of its country.
In Peru, while there are many friends OF
Spain, the predominant feeling has
always been most friendly to-
ward the United States, and 1t
was there that the squadron met the first
exhibition of Cuban appreciation OF It's
services in liberating their islands, For
December Cthe 28th) delegation OF Cuban
residents of Lima and Callao presented
both the Oregon and the Iowa with gold
memorial tablets. These tablets We're
about FIVE inches by 2l5 In size and were
lnclosed in handsome cases. on the faces
were engraved: Presented to the officers
and crew of the United States battleship
Oregon Tor Iowa., in commemoration OF
the battle of Santiago de Cuba on July 3.
1898. by the Cuban residents OF Lima and
Callao, Peru" on the backs were en-
graved the names Of the subscribers.