The Mena weekly star., 1907-04-25
GlEAT NAVAL SPECTACLE
r.roest Gathering of American War ships Ever Seen in Hampton
 Roads on Exhibition.
t,py TO RECEIVE FOREIGN VESSELS
c.rman, English and Austrian Navies to he Represented in Naval Dis pIsy at Opening of Jamestown Ex- sosition on Friday--President eoosevelt to Review the Parade.

Norfolk. Va. April 24.--The great ss, fleet of American vessels ever as- sembled in the historic waters of Hampton Roads 300, 900 tons of float ;no steel-was made ready Tuesday to roceive inc first of the visiting for elgn battleships and cruisers which are from time to time to take part in inc celebrations which will mark the trosress of the Jamestown ter-cen- ,ennjal exposition. For the opening of the exposition, Friday, the 26th, ina war vessels of Great Britain, of Germany. and of Austria are expect ed One of the visiting Germans, the dark hulled cruiser Bremen, com- manded by ieutenant-C Commander Alberts, is already in the roadstead awaiting the arrival of the Roon, big armored cruiser typical of the modern fighting craft in Emperor Williams navy.
 The fleet has been arranged so as to give the visitors to the exposition the best possible opportunity for viewing the fighting strength of the American navy. The glistening white hulls, spoilers in their new coats of paint, and the buff superstructures of the two and three-piped line of bat tie hips and armored and protected cruisers, form a marine panorama as viewed from the water front esplanade of the exposition grounds such as has seldom if ever before been pre- sented to the American public. The vessels are anchored several thou sand yards off the exposition shore and being arranged fin huge semi circle. are visible from every part of the grounds. Practically every type of fighting craft in the American navy is represented in the positions. Bat tleships range from the 16,000-ton monsters of the Connecticut and Louisiana class -- the forerunners of the Dreadnaughts about to be added to the navy-down to the all but abandoned old Texas, the oldest Amer ican battleship and sister of the Maine which was wrecked in Havana hsrbor. The Texas was built at the Norfolk navy yard many years ago. and. beng local product, IS to re- ma at the exposition as a permanent feature of the naval exhibit. With her eight guns and paltry 6.315 tons of weight, the Texas. whel ra ged along side the mammoth Connecticut, which mounts 24 guns a q dis laces 16,0o0 tens of water, o'firs striking exam pie of the progress of the American navy since the days of 1886. when the Texas and the first Maine were au- lhorized by congress.
 The cruisers Of the feet are all modern, though the variance in size between the largest and the smallest IS as great as that which marks the heavier vessels of the battleship class. Tn the cruiser clsss, the most inter- esting vessel is perhaps the Brooklyn, me Flagship of Rear Admiral Schley Tn the battle with Cervera's squadron on santiago, Cuba The Brooklyn, bearing on her after turret the memor- iai plate simply and e,oquently in- scribed July 3, 1s9S," will also re- main permanent naval exhibit dur Ing the seven months of the life of the exposition.
 The English squadron under com mand of Rear Admiral Neville, is expected in Hampton Roais either wednesday or Thurs day. There will oe iour armored cruisers in the squad- ron.
 Tue Austrian vessels, the armored cruiser Ssnkt George and the protect ga cruise Aspern, will arrive either 'a'e Thursday evening or early Fri aay morning. The vessels of the tuner navies Of the world will arrive on the dates to be fixed. The Japa- "ese squadron is expected May 8.
 resident Roosevelt will Review .ne gathered fleet and the visiting ,oreigners from the bridge of the Sh fttddy iuoIutuS, utiOic ~s .r lands on the exposi ion grounds. ,ne foreign vessels will be given po- a'uons Of honor Inside the long, sweeping circle of American ships uur'ng their stay in the roads.
 washington. April 24.-President roosevelt will leave the navy yard aere at 2:so o'clock Thursday after Ioon on the yacht Mayflower for the jamestown exposition. Accompanying
 nl VIII be Secretary Loeb, several
 ene presidents children and per Asps some other guests. The review - tne American and foreign ships ao" m Chesapeake Bay will occupy sa an nour on Friday morning and the seepuon on board the Mayflower by sae president ana Mrs. Roosevelt to s sae officers of the foreign men of day. ''oO :" '"'' on 'A"'