Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-07
American Squadron Ready to
Leave Punta Arenas.
STARTS AT II TONIGHT
Farewell Reception Given by Senior
Chaignean.
DANCE ON BOARD FLAGSHIP
Last Night the Warships Gave a
Searchlight Drill and Electrical
Display in the Harbor.

PCNTA ARENAS. Strait of Magellan.
February Preparations aboard the
battleships and the torpedo-boat Destroy
ers of the American Atlantic fleet for
their voyage through the western section
Of the Strait of Magellan into the Pa
cific have been completed. and all the
vessels are in readiness to raise their
anchors when the signal to proceed Is
given from the flagship Connecticut at II
o'clock tonight. When day breaks Sat
nrday they will have rounded Cape Fro
ward. the extreme southern point of the
South American mainland. and turned
their prows northwestward for the run
Of 10 miles to the Pacific end Of the
strait.
Farewell Visits.
Officers and men today are paying fare
well calls to their friends on shore: the
official farewells will be made this after
noon. The best of health prevails among
the personnel of the feet and everybody
has enjoyed the stay at Punta Arenas.
ritory of Magellan. gave an Official recep-
tion in honor of the visiting Americans
at his residence yesterday. The function
was a brilliant one.
There were four hundred guests present,
including John Hicks. the American min
lister to Chile: Henry L. James. secretary
of the America legation: Rear Admiral
Sperry: Alfred A. Winslow, the Ameri-
can consul at Valparaiso: Lieut.. Conn
mander Higgins. the fleet engineer. and
Lieut.. Cone. commander of the torpedo
boat hotilla. The halls were splendidly
decorated with plants and the flags Of all
nations. the emblems of Chile and of the
United States being interviewer. Electric
lights were formed into various designs.
and the American flag in colored lights
was a conspicuous feature Dancing be-
gan at 10 o'clock in the evening and
lasted until o'clock this morning Gov.
Chaigneau led the quadrillc with Mrs
were followed by Minister Hicks with
sonora Chaigneau. Admiral Simpson with
Sonora Bois de Chesne and Admiral Sper7
ry with Sonora Campos.
Reception on Connecticut.
The reception given on hoard Rear Ad-
miral Evans flagship, the Connecticut.
was a splendid success. Several hundred
of the prominent people of Punta Arenas.
in addition to the Chilean and British
naval officers now here, were present. The
decks Of the flagship were prettily dec
Grated and large space was reserved
for dancing. An orchestra and bano
PLAYED on the deck. one for dancing and
the other for intermissions. The greatest
enthusiasm prevailed and everybody was
delighted with the cordiality and good
will displayed by the Americans. All the
ships OF the fleet were gaily dressed with
flags for the OCCASION.
Much disappointment was expressed at
the absence of Rear Admiral Evans. While
his rheumatism has improved. still it did
not permit him to attend the entertain
ment. The reception continued all the
afternoon. the last guests leaving the
flagship at 6 o'clock.
Last night the people of Punta Arenas
were treated to an electrical display from
the warships. flash lights and twinkling
lines OF lesser illumination. such as never
before has been witnessed here.
The Secretary of State has received
the following message from Mr. Hicks.
United States minister to Chile who is at
Punta Arenas on the Chilean cruiser
ChacubucO as a guest OF the Chilean gov,
eminent:
Fleet sails Friday night, accompanied
10y torpedo fotilla. and I'm passing Val
paraiso sails close into the bay each
Have requested admiral of the fleet to
do this. and I am sure ii will give much
pleasure to the people of Valparaiso
Stay of the fleet here has been mark
cd By the greatest courtesy on the part
of Chileans. Many sailors had shore
leave each day and all have behaved
we'll"