The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-01-04
PLACE Of LEISURE
AND OF BEAUTY
Life on the Naval Fairgrounds
at the South.
RECEPTIONS ARE. PLENTY
Natives Always Ready to Ex-
tend the Glad Hand.
RECEPTIONS ARE. PLENTY

The West Indies have greatly changed
during the past decade. especially since
the Spanish-American war In their envir-
orment and the conditions governing their
futures 1t is not long since some of them
though known to history for nearly four
hundred years. We're practically terra
il cognita so far as their tuna and natural
beauties are concerned. The swift hap
pc nings of the Cuban war. however,
changed all this, and the islands are now
objects of interest to all the world.
1t seems inexplicable that these nearest
neighbors of ours should have so long
remarked comparatively unknown to us.
when the threads OF history that connect
them with civilization are so closely inter
woven with our own; but since their dis
covery many many navigatiors have
fo und pleasure among those islands that
lie scattered like emeralds DER a silver
zt se." As a winter cruising place for
foreign naval squadrons the Caribbean
sea has long been in favor. not alone ow-
ing to it's contiguity to our shores. but
tC the many and varied charms il offers
While Cuba and Porto Rico belonged to
Spain, these islands were SO often sought
a those pertaining 10 the French or Bri-
.dvent of the Yankee squadron was
locked to with pleasurabe anticipation
and its departure sincerely lamented. The
writer recalls the excitement and hilarity
that marked the coming into the port of
kingstown. Saint Vincent of the old
side-wheeler Powhattan, one winters day
H. 1873 She was attended by several
craft, to be sure; but the entire feet suf-
fered by comparison with that of the Bri-
t;sh Admiral, which had then but recent
ly departed. 1t seemed to the only
american then on the island, that Saint
Vincent had all but exhausted herself in
the dispensing of lavish hospitality; but
there was no discimina ton in the festivi-
tess that followed the Powhattans arri-
val Balls and receptions by the COVER
ror and balls and receptions by the people
together with sightseeing. excursions to
the Soufriere and TO sugar plantations,
made the Week a memorable one to all
1t was at the port of Charlotte Amalia
that the writer had the peasue of begin
ming his first cruise in Caribbean waters
on "a ship of war 1t was his last, also,
and so far as its material advantages
went futile one; but il has fingered in
IT emory ever since as one Of the most
pieasureable of his experiences. When ne
vas appointed special commissioner
fl ON the United States to the West Indies
with Il personal message to the govern
nent of every important island in the
archipelago. he thaving in mind the try
ing experience of former years. applied
to his chief for permission TO avail him.
self Of any vessel that he might run across
In accordance with the request of the
Department of State under which he was
working in the West Indies. he was furn-
ished with letter of which the following
is a copy
The Honorable the Secretary of State
Observation-Disclosures the receipt of your
letter of the 2lst utimo relating TO the
proposed visit of Mr. Frederick A. Ober
Srecial Commissioner to the West Indies,
| have the honor to inform YOU that
CODY thereof was sent to RearAdmiral
Gherardi, commanding the United States
rval force on the North Atlantic station
with instructions TO comply where prac-
ticeable with the request FOR transpor-
tation facilities TO Commissioner ODER, in
vessels of the United States navy in That
LEGALITY.
I have the honor. etc.
.
Nearly year passed before the writer
found opportunity to present this letter.
hut when proffered it proved an open
sesame 10 most comfortable quarters on
beard the Philadelphia which ship. to-
gether With the. Concord sailed into St
Thomas soon after rs arrival there.
\ steamer of the Royal Mail line among
the islands was 10 leave the following day
! I - \
/ cent. his destination: bur two days later
the two war vessels were 10 sail to that
island direct Considering Tire added pleas
IRE Of being in the society Of cultured
( e ntlemen OF his own nationality and en-
gagged in service for the same govern
u.ent the writer held That there vas no
comparison between the two passages OF
fered and so concluded to await the de-
/ parture 81 thu Philadelphia. He had ac.
( complished his own mission 10 the island
and 50 had nothing to do but participate
/ in the festivities that followed the arrival
OF the war ships. His lugsage was taken
aboard the flagship and he became tn
guest Of Rear-Admiral Gherardi. I'm
ished gentleman OF the old school digni-
red and courteous. whose record during
the civil war is n matter 81 pride Ia his
corhtrynien He is now on the retired list.
3 bnt al the time commanded on the North
Atlantic station. The sacred precincts Of
\ the admiral's cabin were not invaded eN-
cept on occasions Of special invitation
which We're numerous enough however.
( IT, make the writer well acquainted with
/ the commanders gracious personaliJy-
/ He vas assigned To the wardroom and
( THUS became one Of the mess comprised Of
/ officers wcil worthy To serve under such
+ a gallant admiral
! Il may have been merely a coincidence.
F. but our departure was timed - take place
directly sitter the last ball IN the officers
honor had co5ae 10 q close The night
was screae-as nearly al nights are in the
Z tropics-the SKY rnoonlit and frosted with
stars. So there WIS nothing more % ihe
/ liking u ol1- Danish hosts than visiting
4 the quay To see Us OF. No il was 10 night.
/ hut morning rather. and Il had nearly
dawned when they accompanied their
guests Ia the waters edge and sent rs
I 10 our boats with songs of cheer and pres
sing invitetions TO return Lights were
! dsnly flashing from the headiands and the
SKI Was resi6ening behind the bills when
the cruiser ard the yunbcat Left Charlotte
Arnaiia,s i.arbor astern and headed cut
! 10 oven sea 4 delicious land h-ce=e DRY
| Ted down from the ridge behind the town.
laden with perfume ~ orage. lime and
/ E-.asnolia as ~e took hcatS ard left The
g!aesuuae company ashore. Not many
! dsys eIspsed before our return. which
though unexpected ard unheialdcs- recei-
we'd a warm wecor,e. none the less. What
N. feelings 81 sur consul ~sre eouvie-
Il those parts had been knc--H 10 hide
i.,s as n. was to entertain MS country