New-York tribune., 1901-11-02
DUKES WELCOME. HOME.
a STATELY NAVAL SHOW THAT LACKET
COLOR AND ANIMATION

PAGEANTS SHOWED NO EMOTION OVER
THE RETURN OF THE HEIR
TO THE THRONE
Copyright; 1eO1i BY The New-York Tribune)
GBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNB.l
Portsmouth, Nov. 1.-This historic old town
has witnessed so many naval reviews and state
functions that it has ceased be excited by
displays Of bunting and manRuvres OF steel
sheathed fleets Flags fluttering every
where along the waterfront when the Ophr en-
tered the harbor under the escort of the Victoria
and Albert and other yachts and there were
sWarmS of spectators on the southern esPianade'
but the town decorated with meagre hand
and the crowds lstless and undemonstra-
tive. The return of the Duke of Cornwall from
q circuit of fifty thousand miles could not have
been regarded a trivial event. but naval
pomp and imperial spectacles had been WIZ
messed so often that the populace had learned
to take its pleasures sadly. Probably the helr
to the throne had not heard such halfhearted
cheering since his departure from England as
that which greeted him along the waterfront OF
Portsmouth. The tota passed Clarence PIER
about } O'Clock, and the spectators were silent
until, at the last moment a conscience stricken
enthusiast took off his hat and called for cheers,
and then the response feeble There was
berth in the harbor hut the dukes reception on
the whole singularly Unconditional
The Channel fleet had formed earlier in the
day in a double line across Spithead. and the
King and Queen In their new royal yacht had
gone out while the guns Of the fortihcatons
We're booming, toward Yarmouth Roads to meet
the Ophir. This meeting was less formal
affair than had been originally planned but the
recessonal programme carried out in de-
tail. The royal and the Admiralty yachts eS-
corted the Ophir through the squadron into the
-harbor. There were sixteen battleships ana
cruisers and each was dressed in rainbow
fashion. Each ship had full complement OF
men deck, and salute was fired. while the
bands played the national anthem. The escort
ing fiotiIla included three royal yachts and the
Enchantress and the Irene. Slowly II passed
through the watary lane, sentinelled by powerful
vessels of war and headed directly for the mouth
of the harbpr along the Southsea esplanade-
The fortifiCations were manned by LOO soldiers,
and after another fired the royal salute
Here and there band was playing God save
the King" and now and again handkerchiefs
fiuttered and cheers were raised. Nelson's VIC
tory was the gayest ship in sight being pro-
fusely decorated and looking graceful, Indeed
in comparison with the fleet Of floating batteries
guarding Spthead.
II was a general no!ltldS me dp' ny eii'iH '''1
deserted by workmen. and every cosne Of
vantage along the waterfront was filled with
spectators. But the scene while stately and
splendid lacked color and animation. There
was little real enthusiasm and the crowds were
i1npassi and silent. A naval spectacle Is al
ways disappointing even on clear day. Mod
ern ironclads are improving in their lines, but
are not picturesque objects even In the full re-
gala OF holiday bunting. They are forced TO
anchor a long way apart, and all cannot be
seen at once until nightfa when the search
lights are operating and their broadsides are
aglow with electric lamps. The spectators by
daylight could see little except the smoke fun
nels and encircling lines Of bunting and as the
wind was off the land they could barely hear
the strains Of the national anthem and the
booming guns At night they were more fort
unate. for the feet in the of1ng and the Ophr
and the royal yachts in the harbor were spien-
didIy illuminated. lines of every battleship and
cruiser being traced in silhouette with cleo
tric lamps. Nelson's ship again carried off the
chief honors for decorative effect. the words
welcome Home In enormous letters being the
best feature of the night show.
Neither British naval resources nor the In
tricate scheme of defence of Portsmouth by
iron ctadels and chain OF Notifications was
ostentatiously displayed. The heir to the throne
the Channel squadron in the background. after
his return from imperial mission. and the
people of Portsmouth. accustomed to water
pa geants and naval salutes. looked on without
emotion, but not without patriotic pride and
sincere loyalty. The Poet Laureates greeting,
entitled "A Royal Homecoming denotes the
imperIal character of the dukes mission, and
contains In better verse than he has recently
been writing poetic acknowledgment for his
public service. l. N +.
STUDENTS DEMOLISH AN ARCH
Montreal Nov 1.-The big wood and stucco arch
erected at the entrance TO the McGin University
grounds in honor of the Duke OF Cornwall and
York was pulled down last night by several hun
dred students who threw ropes around the struct-
ure and pulled II over. The arch reproduc-
,ion of m. Brandenburg Gate In Berlin, and II was
~ intention make II permanent at 4 future
The students that no offence was meant
TO the duke by the demolition of the arch.
ARGENTINE DEMAND on Chilli. |