The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-07-08
WELCOME TO
 WAR VESSELS COttOn'S Squadron Warm.
 ly Greeted. BRITISH MOST CORDIAL King, by Deputy, Expresses
 His Qualification. Admiral Cotton Vigorously Denies the Reports of Wholesale De-
 sertions from His ships
 While at Kiel.
BRITISH MOST CORDIAL

'' Portsmouth. July 7.-with the boom of cannon the British fleet on behalf of King Edward, welcomed the United States European squadron to Great Britain's mas val headquarters this morning
 The gunboat Machias joined the faeship Kearsarge, the Chicago and San Francis co early in the morning and shortly after o'clock signals began to futter from tho mastheads of the American and British warships.
 The latter, in obediance to signal from Lord Charles Beresford. the comman- der of the channel squadron, formed two lines and down this line of huge gray warships moved the Americans. their white sides gleaming in the sunlight.
 National salntes were fired by each squadron, which was followed by an ex. change of salutes to Rear Admiral Cot ton and Vice-Admiral Beresford. Subae- quently the two admirals exchanged calls on the fiagships, acording to the usual honors as each came over tl.e side.
 Entry Into Harbor.
 At high tide the American warships en- tered the harbor, led by the Kearsarge. which was moored off the railway jetty and within stones throw of Nelson's old flagship. the Victoria. King Edwards yacht, the Victoria and Albert, and the
 
 miral Motham, the commander-in-chief of Portsmouth.
 As the Kearsarge approached the Jekty attention" was sounded on the Victoria and Albert, the Victoria and the other ships in the harbor. a courtesy which vas returned from the Kearsarge's deck, on which was drawn up an admiral's guard of fifty marines. under the command ol Lieutenant Colley,
 So soon as the Kearsarge was berthe6 Sir William Huryea. the Mayor of Ports Cotton, saying: People of Portarantifk welcome the American squadron and e3<. tend to It's officers and men all the cossf. kesies they can offer.''
 AdniFal Cotton repliaa. sxpres1ln& his pleasure at the welcome extended t1 the half of the United States government and himself
 Rear Admiral Milne. commander of the royal yacht specially detailed by King Edward to welcome the Americans. ar- rived on board the Kearsarse and was received by Admiral Cotton and Captain HemphilI.
 Edward Sends Message.
 Admiral Milne expressed the gratffica- ton of King Edward at the arrival of the squadron and also the King. welcomed 1t to England. Subsequently Admiral Cot ton, Captain Hemphill and the stan of of flcers visited the naval ofilcials, escorted by an AdmiraPs guard and a band.
 Admiral Cotton has designated officers who are to attend the state ball at Buck ingham palace. London. Wednesday in honor of President Loubet. Besides Rear Admiral Cotton and all the American commanders. the list includes a number of lieutenants and ensigps and represerl- tatives of the medical and pay staffs.
 During Admiral Cotton's visit to Ad- miral Hotham the latter recalled that they had previously met ct EsquimauIt. when Admiral Hotham commanded the British Pacific squadron and Admiral Cot ton was in command of the PhiIadelphia Admiral Hotham reiterated personally the warm message of welcome which he had previously transmitted to Admiral Cotton at Spithead.
 Admiral Cotton vigorously denies the report which appeared in the German newspapers that over a hundred men de- serted from his squadron at Kiel The Admiral declares that the discipline was excellent. "As a matter of fact" said Captain Hemphill ''only one man, a cor- poral of marines left the KearsarRe ''