Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-04-15
BIG FORCE LANDS
Largest Number Or Marines and
Seaman Ever Askorelin
United States
IN SAN DIEGO, CAL, PARADE
Imposing Ceremonies Attend Formal
Extension Of Welcome by CITY
to Visiting Fleet.

70 VlsNth9 rieet.
San Diego. Cal, April 15-The sec
ond day of the stay OF the American
battleship fleet at this port is to be
made notable by the largest force Of
marines and blue jackets ever seen in
"a shore parade in any part of the
United States Five thousand men and
officers will be. brought in from the
ships, distance of some two miles, or
Is miles by way of the harbor en-
trance, and at 2:30 p. m, will begin a
march of mile and half from the
water front to the city park, where the
set ceremonies of San Diego's official
welcome to the feet will be held.
Requires Vast Amount of Work.
The landing of this great force of
men will entail vast amount of work,
as they all have to be sent away in
small boats, towed by the ships steam
launches and tugs. Promptly at noon
the first Of the boats cleared away
from the port gangways. One company
of marines and four companies of blue
jackets was furnished by each ship,
making the total landing force of so
companies. These companies were di-
vided into five divisions, the marine
division and first, second. third and
fourth ship divisions.
Band with Each Division.
The commanding officer of the par
ade, Captain Seaton Schroeder of the
battleship Virginia, and a band of 72
players furnished by the ships, will ac.
company each of the five divisions.
The ceremonies at the city park, which
will be held late this afternoon, in.
clude formal addresses of welcome by
Governor Gillette and Mayor Forward
Admiral Thomas will reply briefly to
each of these and will accept from the
local committee in custody for Rear
Admiral Evans, a golden key to the
lefty.
Officers Decorated.
Admirals Thomas and Emory will be
decorated with gold medals commenl
orative of tf-.t tisit. A medy'
also pren Captain Inge.
chief of s o Admiral Evans, ant
Fit will be re we'd for him by. Lieuten
ant Chandler of the Connecticut.
Tonight there will be another illu
mination of the fleet, and ball il
honor of the naval officers at Hote
Del Coronado.
| Glad to BE Back.
The officers do not disguise the fac
they are extremely glad to be bacl
Iamong home folks" once more, an,
they are looking. forward to all tn,
festivities along the Pacific coast witt
l'-eenest relish.
welcome by Governor.
#, Governor James N. Gillett was her
tc welcome the 1eet. Local commit
tees also wepJ the Connecticut t
welcome Ad raj Thomas and th
men of the eet. Last night Admiral
Thomas, Sperry and Emery and tn
commanding officers and members O
the various stats were entertained a
ldinner.
u The beauty of the days naval spet
tacle, when the ships were brought t
anchor, was rivaled last. night, whe
every vessel was outlined in fire. /
: fairylike form tle ships stood ou
5 against the night, and in letters 81
. feet high the name of each vessel wa
4 spelled across its forward bridge
e Ships in Splendid Condition,
Ell The splendid condition of the shir
4 was manifested in every wi Gu
: wardly they were the same sparkling
i white and buff units of powerful a,
/ lgregation of fighting force that poin
t ed their way out of Hampton road
/ lon a home coast, 1000 miles ava
S with the president showing the wa
e on his cruiser yacht, the Mayfiowe
Internally the ships were in betts
condition than when they started. e
lgines working with the smooth thru
and throw of perfect bearings an
s careful handling and boilers maxim
Isteam with less consumption of CO
# because of the increased efficiency
v the firing rooms.
III The wash of the waves along Il
t water line displayed from two to thr,
II feet of red arnlor belts and shove
II comparatively little sea growth. d
d lspite the long stay in the tempera
$ land tropical waters.
al Welcomed by Governor.
Soon after the fleet had come /.
anchor Governor Gillett, accompani
lby his staff. went aboard the CO
s tnecticut from launch. AS the par
.twent on board all the officers of t
8 ship were drawn up at attention
the forward deck. Governor Gillt
twas shown to the cabin, where
!" n.iral Thomas received him, fhey
turned Immediately to tbs deck q
There the governor made "a brief (,
ldress of welcomes
,itlRkcE AUTOS OFF FOR OalEl