The Oskaloosa herald., 1907-12-26
GAY time PREPARED
FOR FLEET AT RIO.
DANCES, PIcNlcs AND FEAsTs
FOR THE AMERICANS.
ROUTE BACK UNKNOWN
Secretary Metcalf Says No Decision
Has Been Reaehed--some YES
sells May Remain In
Pacific.

Rio Janeiro, Dec. 23.-When the
American fleet of warships reaches
this port it will be accorded royal
welcome. 1t is not intended, however,
that the welcome shall be demonstra,
tive, but that all courtesy shall be paid
the visitors, as though the visit were
expressly made to Brazil.
The feet is expected here about
January IL, and 1t will remain at Rio
Janeiro for ten days. Admiral Allen
car, the minister of marine, has issued
an order for division, composed of
the cruisers Barroso and Tamandare
and the gunboats Tymbira, Tamoyo
and Tiradentes, to hold themselves in
readiness to meet the American fleet
on the high seas and accompany it
into the harbor.
Novel Entertainments Planned.
A number Of fetes are being ar.
ranged, among which are dances, pic
mics and banquets. The finance min
lister will give a ball on Fiscal Island,
in the Bay of Rio Janeiro, and the
minister of marine has arranged for
two excursions, one to the summit Of
Corcovado, mountainous peak about
two miles from Rio Janeiro, from
which a magnificent view of the sur
rounding country can be had, and the
other to Tijuca park.
The Brazilian government will give
banquet to the officers, at which 500
covers will be laid in the grand salon
of the marine arsenal at Yaura.
Baron de Rio Branco and the mayor
of Rio Janeiro will entertain the
American officers, and DR.. Jose Carlos
Rodriguez, proprietor of the Journal
of Commerce, will give banquet to
Rear Admiral Evans and the higher
officers of the fleet
Return Route Not Decided.
Washington, Dec. 23.-"The pro.
gram for the return of the battleship
feet is a matter that has been dis
cussed among the officials of the navy
department, but as yet no decision has
been reached and will not be for some
time to come" said Secretary of the
Navy Metcalf Sunday.
The secretary's remark was called
out by a wireless message from the
flagship Connecticut stating that Adj
miral Evans had authorized the Asso-
ciated Press to say 1t is his personal
belief that the navy departments
present intention is to have the battle
ship, feet return by way Of the Suez
canal next summer or fall. AS the
president, through Secretary Loeb,
previously had spoken to the same eff
feet, 1t seems clear that Admiral
Evans statement was not suggested
by any definite move so far deter
mined upon by those supreme in au-
thority.
Some May Stay in Pacific.
In naval circles the opinion prevails
that at most only a squadron, COM
posed of such vessels as the voyage to
the Pacific shall have demonstrated to
be the pick of the feet" will be sent
home through the Suez canal, while
the remainder will take the shorter
route around the Horn. 1t is not like
ly, however, that all 16 battleships
will make the return voyage, as the
desirability Of a stronger feet in the
Pacific may be met by the retention of
perhaps several of Admiral Evans
ships in those waters.
But, like Admiral Evans belief as
to the returning via the Suez canal,
the question of permanently reenforc-
ing the Pacific squadron has not pro-
crossed beyond the discussion stage,
and its final determination hinges
upon developments Of the next six
months.
Torpedo Boats Resume Journey.
Port of Spain, Dec. 23.-The Ameri-
can torpedo boat fiotilla sailed for
Rio Janeiro at eight o'clock Sunday
morning. The fiotilla should have left
Saturday, but was delayed on account
OF the late arrival of the supply ship
Arethusa with provisions and other
necessary supplies. All on board are
reported we'll
Mitchell Fast Recovering,