The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1907-12-16
BIG GUNS
BOOM
President Roosevelt Calls
Goodbye as Vessels
Get Underway.
Weather Clear and Crisp
and Crowds Wildly
Enthusiastic.
10y United Press.)


FORT MONROE. Dec. 16--wlth
the booming Of cannons and other
impressive scenes calculated TO
arouse a feeling Of patriotism,
Fighting Bob" Evans and his
mighty fleet started this morning
on the much-heralded cruise to tho
Pacific ocean
Long before daybreak everything
aud every body was astir about Old
Point Comfort The wives and
swcctheartE Of the officers and ma
rincs aboard the warahips were
among the earliest risers II WAS
a thoroughly patriotic mass OF hui
mainly that saw the war dogs lift
anchor and slowly pass out Of
sight The weather was clear and
crisp.
Thunderous roaring Of voices
greeted the Mayfl0wer bearing
President Roosevelt and party Tho
presidential yacht WAS sighted
shortly after z O'Clock An hour
later the ships Ia fun dress filed
out with flags fluttering In the
gentle breeze. and az this move
ment was being made the ships
belched forth the presidential sa-
Lutte. Then followed the reception
20 the officers. ~ the conclusion
OF this function the baftleships as
sumed sailing formation and were
off
President Roosevelt was the last
one 20 shout goodbye % the largest
fleet IN the history OF the new
world
The Last Moments.
Events moved rapidly from the
time President Roosevelt's Yacht
anchored In the midst Of the fleet.
A few moments later Rear Admiral
Evans stepped aboard the May
flower 20 pay his respects TO tho
president. lie vas closely followed
By the other commanding officers
Of the fleet
The reception was more or less
Informal and quite brief On ae-
count OF the time being short, the
question Of precedence in rank was
waived In the matter OF officers
boarding the presidential Yacht SO
those who reached the Mayfiower
first boarded u Immediately after
Rear Admiral Evans. Considerable
time was taken up In lifting anchors
aud doing several other things In
cident TO the actual start
Handshaking also consumed some
little time And then some
When the monster boats finally got
under steam President Roosevelt,
on board the white Mayflower, was
found at the head OF the gigantic
procession.
The fleet presented an inspiring
spectacle as the nose OF the great
war dogs plowed through the
water with the little Mayflower
guiding them. When the sea was
reached the presidents yacht
steamed 20 one side and anchored.
One By one the massive ships
passed the president and fired fare
well salutes
President Roosevelt's eyes were
rooted 20 the fleet until the last
ship passed out OF reach OF the eye.
Significant Movement.
II Is something more than a
course OF drill'-this sending OF
the fleet on a 14.0O0-mile journey TO
the other side Of the globe These
Z s ships Of war are not going on a
mere practice cruise" II viii be
practice: but II VIII be more.
This conclusion has been reach
Cd reluctantly, and only after see
I ing many people and learning many
things Il is based as much ON
silence as on words 10 can be
read between the lines. aud by
I the careful pieciuE Of this small bit
20 that. and a lahorious tracing of
an ineligible purpose through the
whole
II may be peace; but Il points 70
war. n Il Is not war, u will be
because our dogs have teeth, and
are ready for the word.
The officers who are going In
command Of this fleet are strong
+ ly imnregnated with this idea. and
I % has seeped down TO and through
the men, They are going for a
frolic or a fight'-preferably the
4 latter No need TO cuftail shore
I leave now They wouldn't miss IL
for their lives. Deseruons have all
stopped.