Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-04-24
TOday's Telegraphic News
Commemoratiye Services.

and French navies, The French Am
bIssador, cabinet officers and member
of Congress, with representatives of tht
State government of Maryland, joined
this afternoon 10 commemorative cere
monies over the body of John Pau
Jones, the first American admiral. Thou
sands OF visitors thronged AnDapoli,
all day and concentrated at the govern
ment arrIory of the Naval Academy
where the exercises were held. Cloudles:
skies aud perfect sunshine made TIE
city and the bay glisten with beauty.
Today ia the anniversary of John Pau
Jones's victory over the British frigat'
Drake with the little American sloop-of
w,r Ranger, and the gala celebration
enacted in Annapolis by the host of Of
fcials aud plain sightseeing visitors has
pariaken both of homage and reverence
to the memory of the sailor whose men
have been the only enemies to SET fOOI
on British soil in 500 years.
While the festivities commenced with
the arrival of the presidential party
about one O'Clock, the morning hour:
from the Naval Academy to Ann apoi:
roads. where lie the combined American
and French squadsons, was alive with
launches aud whale boats, conveying
officers, seamen and marines in full dress
uniform between the ships and landing
quay.
| a - fl,o ia raI
in beautiful array lay three French
cruisers, the MarseilIaise, flying Adj
miral Campion's flag. In line with them
were the American battleship squadron,
the Alabama, with Rear Admiral @. II.
Davis's flag; the Illinois, tie Iowa, aud
the cruisers squadron, the Minneapolis,
flying Rear Admiral r. b. Bradford Z
flag, Des Moines, the Cleveland, and
the Denver. The first salute of q
guns wa fred by the feet when the
President reached the Naval Academy,
later Admiral's salute of II guns in
honor ct John Paul Jones being fired
during the ceremonies.
President Roosevelt drove in Admiral
Sands carriage from the railway station
to the Admiral's quarters in the
Academy grounds, escorted by Troops
f and f, Tenth Cavalry, under COM
mand OF Col. Hatfield and Captains
Preston and Whitman. The other
members OF the presidential party drove
in Annapolis hacks to the same desti-
nation, where from 100 until shortly
after tSo o'clock a luncheon was served
and an Informal reception held. The
crowds that reached town in the special
Congressional trains shifted as best they
couldn't the local hotels and impromptG
lunching places especially established.
The great leaden casket containing
the body of John Paul Jones WAS re
moved to the armOry esriy in the day
| from the temporary vault on the lawn
| facing Blake Row. where i. has rested
since brought from France last July.
The bier was in the southeastern side Of
the armory, before the platform from
which the speakers addressed the great
audience. At tho erd of the hall was
the Oratoriq Society of Baltimore, $50
strong, which iDterspersed the pro
gramme with the 'Star Spangled Ban
ner," The "Marseillaise" and the other
appropriate music. Immediately in
front Of the platform were the sections
reserved for the congressional guests
while the great mass of audience spread
in fan-shapeu lows Of the chairs over
tie vas, expanse OF the armory floor.
When President Roosevelt, Secretary
BonaparIe and the other Cabinet men,
bers present with the French and
American naval officers, and the distin-
guished guests walked 10 the armOry.
they passed between lines Of French and
American blue jackets standing shoulder
to shoulder. The FrenchmeD, 400
strong, with their red caps, tight breecbes
and barred shirts were fitting set of to
the sturdy blue cad American sailors
with their bell shaped trousers.
Excellent patrol regulations were a
part Of The days successful management.
None but card bearers we're admitted to
the 'ademy grounds and a. the armory
Twelve upper class mdshipmen with
squad of assistants ushered the guests TO
their proper seats.
Secretary BoDaparte presided and in
troduced President Roosevelt.
The Plesideat welcomed the diplO-
matte and official representative OF
France and extended the thanks of the
American people to that country, the
ancient ally of The United States. through
whose hello John Paul Jones was able
to win Tor the Stars and Stripes the VIC
tory that has rendered his name immOr-
tai. The President also thanked the
French natiJn for its courtesy in aiding
the United States in the Identification
of the remains of the great hero and for
the part France played in the exercises
incident to the commemOratiOn OF the
memory of the illustriOus American.
The President called attention to the
galaxy Of great French naval command
ers who have at times appeared, and re-
counted some of their exploits. He
subsequently portrayed Jones in vivid
manner aud enjoiued every officer of the
navy TO keep such a model in mind.
The President gave a resume of the his
tory of the United States navy down to
the present time, referring TO all the i'm
portant engagements of the revolution,
the war of 1912, the civil war and that
with Spain in 1898.
Secretary Bonaparte alsc introduced |
Ambassador Jusserand, and at the close
of the latter's speech the secretary in
troduced Gen. Porter