Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-07-07
THE CANNON BOOMED
U. s. European Squadron Given
 Housing Greeting.

Britishers Honor the Americans at Portsmouth To-Day-The Mayor of
 Portsmouth On Behalf of the People
 Extended Welcome to the Ameri-
 can Sailors. .e..
 Portsmouth, Eng, July With the boom of cannon, the British fleet, on behalf of King Edward. welcomed the United States European squadron to Great Britain's naval headquarters this morning. The gmboat Machias joined the flagship Kearsarge, the Chi cago and the San Francisco early in the morning and shortly after 8 o'clock signals began to fiutter from the mastheads of the American and British ships. The latter, in obedi- ence to signal from Lord Charles Beresford, the commander of the chan nel squadron, formed two lines and down this lane of huge gray. warships moved the Americans, their white sides gleaning in the sunlight.
 National safutes were fired by each squadron. which was followed by an exchange of salutes to Rear Admiral Cotton and Vice Admiral Beresford Subsequently the two admirals ex- changed calls on the hagships, accord ing the usual honors as each came over the side.
 At high tide the American warships entered the harbor, led by the Rear sarge, which was moored south of 1he railway jetty and within a stones throw of Nelson's old flagship, the victory, King Edwards yacht, the Victoria and Albert and the battleship Collingwood, flagship of Admiral Roth am, the commander in chief of Ports mouth.
 As the Kearsarge approached the jetty attention" was sounded on tho Victoria and Albert, the Victory and the other ships in the harbor, cour- tesy which was returned from the Kearsarge deck, on which was drawn up an admiraPs guard of fifty ma rines, under command of Lieutenant Coley.
 As soon as the Kearsarge was berth ed Sir William Dupree, the mayor of Portsmouth, boarded her and greeted Admiral Cotton, saying: s'The people of Portsmouth welcome the American squadron and extend to it's officers and men all the comtesies they can offer"
 Admiral Cotton replied, expressing his pleasure at the welcome extended to the squadron and thanking the may or, in behalf of the United States gov ernment and himself.
 On the departure of the mayor, Rear Admiral Milne, commander of the royal yachts, specially detailed by King Edward to welcome gtha~~AHaefi- Cans, arrived on board the Kearsarge and was received by Admiral Cotton and Captain Hemphill.
 Admiral Milne expressed the gratifi- cation of King Edward at the arrival of the squadron, and in behalf of his majesty welcomed it to England. Subsequently Admiral Gotten, Captain Hemphill and the staff officers visited the naval officials, escorted by an ad- miral's guard and band.
 I After Admiral Cotton returned on l board the Kearsarge Admiral Hotham l and his staff returned Admiral Got tons call. Subsequently, tlse Ameri- can officers ended their official visits by calling on the mayor of Portsmouth
 Admiral Cotton and the other Amer ican officers wdhile in London will be | chartered at various hotels as the l guests of the nation. The admiral wig orously denies the report which ap- peared in the German newspapers thai over hundred men deserted from his squadron at Kiel He declares the 1 discipline of the crews is excellent. ''As q matter of fact,' said Captain HemphiIl "only one man, a corporal l of marines, left the Kearsarge. This is a good record in view of the fart that we have 800 men on board"