New-York tribune., 1899-05-07

Central America, and were largely In the nature
OF rousing welcomes formal calls and dinners
and balls in honor OF Admiral Sampson and his
officers.
The cruise began on February 16, when the
New-York and the Indiana left this port for Ber-
rnuda arriving there three days later The
British West Indian Squadron. under command
OF Vice Admiral Sir John Fisher, was at Ber-
rnuda when the American ships arrived, and
many salutes were fired as the Americans en-
tered the harbor The Governor Of Bermuda
called on Rear-Admiral Sampson the next day
and calls were exchanged by the commanders Of
the two squadrOns
In the afternoon a party OF officers from the
American ships visited the Renown. Vice-Ad-
miral Fishers flagship. and the Hotspur, the
Quail and the Terror.
The American ships left Bermuda on Feb
ruarv "a and arrived at Havana March !.
where they were Joined by the battle-shp Texas
and the cruisers Brooklyn and Chicago. Rear
Admiral Sampson called on Governor General
Brooke soon after his arrival, and during the
stay Of the vessels at Havana there were many
exchanges Of calls and small entertainments
between the officers Of the Army and Navy
A SIDE TRIP TO HONDURAS
The Nev,-Y York and the Brooklyn left Havana
on March 10 for Porto Cortez. Honduras, where
they went on a special mission in connection
with the alleged murder of an American citizen
named Pierce At Porto Cortez the cruisers
were joined by the Machias From Porto
Cortez the three vessels went TO Guantanamo
Cuba, where they were again Joined by the
other vessels of the squadron, which had lel'
Havana shortly after the departure Of the New
York and the Brooklyn 10 visit Cienfuegos ana
other ports along the southern Cuban coast
The Chicago was detached from the squadron
al Guantanamo. and started for Hampton
Roads
While off Guantanamo the warships brought
10 the minds Of the men on board them recoi-
lection OF the bombardments Of last summer py
indulging in a few hours target practice with
their heavy guns
Guantanamo was left behind the morning OF
March % and that evening the squadron ar
rived al Kingston. Here occurred the one un-
pleasant incident of the voyage: the hght De
tween the bIuejackets in which one man was
killed and several severely injured. This fight
grew out Of the feeling OF rivalry that exists
between the men of the Brooklyn and the men
Of the New-York
Many OF the men from all the ships had shore
leave on the day after their arrival Kingston
hasn't quite as many places OF amusement as
New-York and once ashore the men from the
various ships had TO mingle with one another.
Just how the fight started is not known, but II
resulted In many hard blows. in which oars ana
oarlocks we're used freely. One man from the
Texas. negro who had smuggled razor
ashore. Joined in the fight and cut one OF the
nen from another ship so badly that the wound
ed man vas left In Kingston 10 die
The squadron left Kingston on March 81 Tot
La Guayra, Venezuela at which port they ar
rived the morning Of April T. In entering
the harbor the ships ranged themselves In
semicircle. No squadron OF such Importance
had ever before entered this harbor, ana the
Venezueians were out in throngs 10 welcome the
visitors. Salutes were exchanged. and then the
director OF the customs Rivas Munderain, act
ing as the representative OF the Venezuelan
Government. on board the New YORK 10
visit Rear-Admiral Sampson. The ships mao
scarcely dropped their anchors before large
number Of small boats. all crowded. put on from
the shore AID padded around the big white
ships
INVITED TO CARACAS.
Early in the afternoon w. W. Russell. secre-
tary Of the United States Legation. arrived on q
special train from Caracas. Mr.. Russell. who
was once cadet at Annapolis. met several OF
his former comrades on shore and they took