The Washington herald., 1907-12-16

tomorrow on its 1iOO0-mile journey to
the Pacific are Withholding their emotions
on this mght OF partings.
Everybody is trying to look cheerful,
and everybody is succeeding fairly well.
But deep down under the surface there
is a general feeling Of depression. and
the flood of women's tears that will flow
before to-morrow's sun has set will
shame the little rain showers that fell
to-day
On this last evening the big lobby of
the Chamberlin Hotel, the center Of
social interest and activity at Fort Mon
roe. is crowded with officers Of the navy
and those who have come to say good
by to them.
The Last FareweIIS.
1t is a gay scene. All the departing
officers are in their gold-laced uniforms.
and the women are dressed in their best
Every woman there apparently tried to
make herself as fascinating as possible.
Many of the officers and their woman
folk sat around in groups and talked
fast so as to be able to say as much
as possible before the long separation
begins.
Sweet-faced, gray-haired mothers. who
had private opinions about the call OF
duty. held hands with their gold-laced
sailor boys. and every wife. sister. and
daughter was turned hero worshiper. and
didn't care who knew. And the sweet
hearts, dozens Of them, were making the
most of every moment and wondering if
they were going 10 cry when the young
sters in blue and gold went back to their
ships for the long journey.
Sailing Orders Issued.
Sailing orders were issued to-day. Every
officer must be aboard his ship al :
O'Clock tomorrow morning. Shore liberty
for the jaclIies and marines ended at 10
O'Clock this morning. It was visiting day
on the big armorclads. and hundreds of
persons went out to them to share the
last hospitality.
A chOppy sea and cold day kept the
timid on shore up to early afternoon.
when the sky cleared up bit and gave
promise of fairly good weather for the
farewell ceremonials. Many men and
women not of the navy sat at luncheon
tables in the fleet. and a large number
of these fingered for tea, and then hur-
ried back TO the Chamberlin to dress for
the evening. 1t was pretty dull ashore
while tins was going on out in the Roads.
but tonight every officer who could get
away came to Fort Monroe 10 take part
in the closing scenes on land.
Many Of the officers spent part Of the
day writing letters TO those at home. and
the women were busy with letter writ
ing, too. One young wife wrote a note
70 her husband. who will leave with the
fleet, and gave it to ar officer Of her hus-
bands ship. with Instructions TO deliver
1t to the husband on Christmas morning.
Many Christmas Surprises.
When the young wife told other Young
wives. and incidentally impaired her
Christmas scheme to a few sweethearts
and some mothers, there was a rush Of
women to the writing The idea
took like wildhre. Half the officers Of
the fleet have been impressed into serv-
ice as mail carriers, and when Christ
mas morning arrives there will be happy
surprises in cabins and wardrooms and
steerages
If the copies Of the papers in which
this will be printed could possibly reach
the fleet before Christmas, the story
would not now be told. for it is a strict
secret, and to give it away TO those whom
it is. intended to please would be cruel
injustice TO trusting women.
Rear Admiral Evens. the commander
in-chief of the magnificent aggregation
of battle ships which viii sail for the
Pacific tomorrow, spent the dav at the
Chamberlin with his wife. his daughter.
Mrs Marsh; his son. Lieut.. Franck Tay-
Tor Evans, and some other kinfoIk. He
was the center of interest in the hotel
lobby. The :lembers Of his family seldom
left his side, but they had to share their
possession Of the grim old sailor with
many others who crowded around 20
shake hands and wish him good luck on
his voyage.
Much Shore Liberty.
This morning at muster the crews of
every battle ship listened TO an order
issued by Admiral Evans in which he ap-
pealed to the men to endeavor to uphold
the honor and dignity of the United
states when they were in foreign ports.
Shore leaves will be liberal. the orders
said. but they must not be abused. If
they were abused, the whole enlisted
force Of the feet would suffer curtaii-
ment Of liberty.
1t would be necessary, the order ex-
planned. to restrict shore liberty in ports
infected with yellow fever or other infec-
tious or contagious disease, but on the
whole the men would be given as large
opportunity as possible to see the places
where the feet would stop.
There is much talk about the wholesale
transfer OF japanese mess attendants
from the feet. Some officers are angry
over losing their servants. but on the
whole there is little criticism Of this ac.
ton.
Japanese Are Angry.
It IS well understood in the fleet that
the official explanation that the Japanese
have been detached because their periods
Of enlistment will expire before the feet
COurfnued IN Do0a 2 Couu-