The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-12-16
EMPHASIZES SAIL
 FOR PACIFIC TODAY.
ENROUTE
PRESIDENT LEAVES WASHINGTON
 FOR HAMPTON ROADS.
He will Give Signal for the Start ana Hid the Big Naval
 Fleet . Last Fare we'll. I-.+f

Washington, Dec. 15.-Presiden Roosevelt. accompanied by Mrs.. Roose welt and a distinguished company of guests, sailed on the naval yacht May flower from the Washington navy yard at 3.07 o'clock today for Hampton Roads.
 The President in his capacity as com mander-in-chief of the United States navy. will tomorrow give the word of command which will send the Atlantic battleship fleet on its cruise to the Pa cific. As the ships pass out to sea, their last farewell will be from the President. On the deck of the May flower. he will lead the ships through the Virginia capes. then give way to the flagship Connecticut as the double line of sixteen @ ironclads set their course to the southward. Thus will begin what the President has planned as the supreme test of the American navy. Tho announced destination of the fleet Is San Francisco bay but when and where the cruise will ultimately end, seems as yet an unmatured plan for the future.
 The departing scene from the Wash ington navy yard was typical of the punctiIiousness of naval etiquette. The Mayfiowef was spick and span and spotless in white; the jackies in their winter garb of blue. lined the rail and the cheerless raw day seemed to lend itself to an expression of their feel- ings at being left out of the big trip. Marines patrolicd the clean-swept dock and kept far back from the gang plank the hundred and more persons who had come to see the President depart.
 A Few Minutes Late.
 Secretary and Mrs. Metcalf were piped over the ships side a half hour before the arrival of the President. who was two minutes late. A few minutes following the arrival of the Secretary. the Boston's whistle sound- ed the honors to Assistant Secretary and Mrs. Newberry. who also are guests of the President on the trip; then fol- lowed Rear Admiral and Mrs. Brown son and Commander and Mrs. Sims. In a White House carriage, preceding the President. came Miss Ethel Roosevelt. Miss Corinne Robinson and Miss Hag- ner. Rear Admiral and Mrs. Cowles rode with the President and Mrs. Roosevelt. As the President stepped aboard, the flag of the commander-in- chief was broken out at the main yard, the hawsers were slipped and the Mayfiower was under way in just five minutes.
 The President as he drove on the wharf, acknowledged the greeting of the crowd and as the yacht began 70 e. aft on the main deck while three cheers were given from the wharf. The May flower is expeeted to- clear the ebed places in the Potomac before dark. when a Hvelier clip will be taken up and Hampton Roads reached by 8 o'clock in the morning. At this hour salute by the entire fleet will be given and the ceremonies of the de- parture begun. These include a recep- ton by the President on the Mayfiower of the commanding officers of the ships of the fleet and the departing review. The President will not leave the May flower during the trip, and Is expected to reach Washington on his return early Tuesday morning.
 COngreasmen Sail.
 Another and a somewhat livelier party departed from the navy yard earlier in the day, being members of the Naval Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives. who through tho courtesy of Assistant Secretary Newberry were provided with the Uni- ted States steamship Dolphin for the trip to the scene of the fleets depart ure. The Dolphin got under way shortly after II o'clock. Among those on board were Chairman Toss of the House Naval Committee. Senator Mo- Emery of Louisiana, Representative Loud of Michigan. Dawson of Iowa. Thomas of Ohio Roberts of Massachu- setts, Bates of Pennsylvania, Butler of Pennsylvania. Padgett of Tennessee. w. W. Kitchin of North Carolina and Gregg of Texas.
 The Dolphin will reach her anchor age at Hampton Roads shortly in ad- vance of the Mayiower.