The Washington herald., 1907-12-14

Fort Monroe, Va. Dec. G3-The work OF
preparing the great Pacific feet for sea
was practically completed with the close
Of to-day. and the remainder OF the fleets
stay here viii be pIaytime for officers and
men.
The festivities commenced tonight with
a magnificent ban at the Hotel Chamber
lin, Fort Monroe. given by Mr.. and Mrs.
George Frederick Adams. in honor OF
Rear Admiral Robley D. Evans. United
States navy. and the officers Of the fleet
under his command.
The bali was the social eveot Of the
stay Of the feet herd. and viii 20 down
in social history as the naval affair OF
the season
It was attended by about 1850 men and
women. the men for the most part in the
brilliant uniform of the navy. and the
women. many Of them society leaders Of
Eastern cities. in elegant and striking
gowns. The gallant admiral in whose
honor the ball was given was the hero Of
the evening.
Reception of Guests.
The reception Of the guests started
promptly AT j O'Clock, those receiving be
ing Admiral and Mrs Evans, Mrs. Harri-
son. wife OF Col. George E 2. Harrison.
commandant Of the army post, and Mrs.
Berry. wife of Rear Admiral r NJ. Berry.
Most Of the officers Of the feet attended
the ball. some OF the more distinguished
OF them being Rear Admiral Emory, ac-
companied by Mrs Emory; Rear Ad-
n.iraI r. 4. Thomas and Rear Admiral
Sperry. accompanied by Mrs Sperry-
Among the prominent women in attend
snce were Mrs George Frederick Adams;
Mrs. c. c. Marsh, daughter Of Rear
Admiral and Mrs Evans: Mrs h c.
Curry. OF Pittsburg; Miss Curry and Miss
Clarke, OF Plttsburg; Mrs Pierre Loril-
lard. OF New York; Miss Lula Long, OF
New York. Mrs Alice P. Hudson. OF
[ New York; Mrs. c. Z. B. Lawrence. Of
I Philadelphia. and Mss Kerr, OF London
The ballroom was decorated with naval
emblems- Flags signifying farewell 10
the navy were stretched across the room
in prOfusion-
stores Are All Aboard.
With all stores and coal aboard every
ship in the feet, excepting the Minnesota.
which Was the last 10 arrive. to-day was
devoted 10 cleaning Up. Final drafts Of
men for some Of the ships were also re-
4 ceived from the naval reservation at Nor
folk.
Ohicers OF the feet are still speculating
as to the length Of their stay in the
Pacific: not only that, but few Of them
| expect 10 come back BY the same route
they viii take. Some OF them guess that
two months or Whereabouts will be spent
en- the Pacific Coast after which they
expect 10 cross the Pacific 70 Manila. and
return home by the way OF the Suez
Canal and Europe This opinion is
strengthened by the fact that charts OF
/ the Eastern waters have been sent 70 the
ships
The elimination Of japanese from the
/ fleet has been in progress for some tine.
and there has lately been but few Of
them to be found in any OF the crews.
/ It seems 10 be the design OF the Navy
I Department TO admit none OF tlRm 70 the
Pacific cruise IL may be that a probable
cruise 10 japanese waters has something
10 DO with this
Test wireless Telephone.
The wireless telephone station aboard
each of the ships was tested to-day and
found in good working order. The
battle ships will never be out OF com
munication with the flagship or each
other while under steam. Admiral
Evans NAV sit in his cabin and speak
personally TO any Of his captains
The favorite sport Of the sailor is
still football An eleven from the New
Jersey defeated a team from the Vir-
ginia this afternoon. 8 TO 0. To-mor-
row the elevens from the Vermont and
Kansas viii meet in a contest 10 de-
termine the championship Of the feet.
Other social affairs. for and by the
navy. VIII follow the ball tonight.
The officers Of Fort Monroe will tender
the navy a reception tomorrow after
noon and tomorrow night a return
ball viii be given aboard the flagship
Connecticut. There also viii be dane
ing aboard most Of the other vessels.
Admiral Evans came ashore for the
first time to-day since he boarded his
flagship Monday morning. he was
joined by Mrs. Evans and Mrs Marsh.
The admiral has suffered with a bad
cold since his arrival here. which ac-
counts for his not having been ashore