The San Francisco call., 1908-08-28

SYDNEY, Aug. 27.-Before the Amer
lean battleship feet left sydney at S
O'clock for Melbourne, its next stop
ping place. Admiral Sperry sent let
ter to Charles G. Wade, premier of
New South Wales. thahking him for
the cordial reception and hospitality
extended and saying that the welcome
given the Americans would draw closer
the bonds of sympathy and friendship
between the United States and the
Australian commonwealth.
After the vessels had cleared the
harbor it was found that about so
stragglers had failed to join their ships.
These men viii not be posted as de-
serters. as it is thought the nonappear-
ance Of many of them was accidental.
Fifty of the stragglers Were embarked
later in the day on the Yankton and
sailed 10 rejoin their ships at Mel
bourne
MELBOURNE, Aug 27.-The follow
ing communication has been received
here from Admiral Sperry in reply TO
the messages of greeting sent him by
the authorities of Victoria. Speaking
on behalf OF the government and the
men of the fleet the admiral says;
L send you my hearty thanks for
the message We have experienced
at Sydney the hospitality of the gov
ernment and the people of the COM
monwealth and we need no assurance
Of the generous welcome which awaits
US at Melbourne. We are all looking
forward with pIeasurable anticipation
10 better acquaintance with our kins-
men in Victoria"
PLAN BIG CELEBRATION
TOKYO. Aug. 27.-The program for
the reception of the American fleet in
Japanese ports has been finished and
submitted TO Lieutenant Commander
John A Dougherty, naval attache of
the American embassy, for approval
The fleet is due at Yokohama Satur-
day, October IL, and that day and Sun
day will be devoted entirely to recep-
tions and entertainment. Monday, Oc-
tober 19, which will be known as
American day. the rear admirals of
the fleet. with their STATS, will come
TO Tokyo. They will be given apart
ments in the imperial palace at Shiba,
where Judge Taft was entertained dur
ing his recent visit. and an imperial
carriage viii be placed at the disposal
of each rear admiral. Official calls
viii be exchanged on Monday morning
Tuesday, October 20. the entertain
ments provided by the japanese will
commence The arrangements include
the most minute details for the enter
tainment of the officers and men dur
stay. These include an audience of
the officers with the emperor, and daily
excursions to outlying points OF inter-
est.
BIG NAVAL ESCORT
A Japanese squadron viii meet the
American fleet as il approaches the
coast of Japan and will act as an es-
cort 10 Yokohama, one war vessel be-
ing assigned to each American ship
WASHINGTON, Aug. 27.-The navy
department is considering the advis-
ability of sending several vessels, now
on the home stations, TO meet the bat
tleship fleet which is now on the way
around the world Admiral Pillsbury,
chief of the bureau OF navigation, has
considered the proposition for some
time, but has made no recommendation.
The Idaho. Mississippi. Montana, New
Hampshire and North Carolina are all
available for such an assignment
It is suggested that these vessels
meet the fleet at Gibraltar or the Azores
and become part of it. Admiral Pills
bury is now out of the city, and upon
his return the matter will be taken
up Il then may be decided to send
the FIVE available vessels TO join Ad-
miral Sperry's fleet in European waters