New-York tribune., 1908-04-16
SAN DIEGO PAGEANT
FLEET IN GRAND PARADE.
Admiral Thomas Receires Golden
Ken for 4bsent CMef.

San Diego. Cal. April 15.-A parade OF blue
Jackets and marines landed from the American
battleshp feet-fve thousand fighting men
fresh from a cruise of more than thirteen thou
sand miles-was the feature of to-day's fleet
celebration. Sixty-four companies Of sailors in
their sea togs, with trousers reefed down in can
vas leggngs, and sixteen companies of ma
rines formed this most notable of the navy's
land displays.
The landing party equipped as infantry.
armed with KraEs. in light marching order and
with canteens filled equaIled an army corps.
The procession was more than miles long
They marched from the waterfront to the City
Park over three miles of streets canopied with
decorations which combined the red, white and
blue OF the nation and the gold and white of the
state. San Diego took holiday TO see the
martial pageant. and the sidewalks parallelins
the asphaIted 7oadways were crowded with
typical holiday throng Their enthusiasm
explosive, the appearance OF the bluejackets and
marines calling for sustained cheering.
At the City Park the sailors passed in review
before Rear Admirals Thomas, Sperry and
Emery and Govegnor Gillett and staff. A crowd
of many thousands surrounded the grandstands.
Three thousand school children. waving flags
and banners, were massed directly in front OF
the reviewing stand. and their songs and cheers
| were among the prettiest features Of the cele-
bration
Governor GilIett in = brief speech supple
| mented his words of welcome spoken yesterday
on the quarterback of the flagship Connecticut
and Rear Admiral Thomas made formal re-
sponse in behalf of the fleet, saying:
1t is with extreme pleasure that l. on behalf
! Of the mmander in chief, who, most unfort-
unatelv, is not able TO be with this in
| teresting occasion, and behalf of my brother
| officers of the fleet, return you. sir. as the
| chief imperial IL
| fornia, the Golden State. and of the bright
est gems in the brilliant crown OF the Union
! our most profound thanks for the cordial and
| loving welcome that has been given the mag
| nifcent fleet We have the honor to represent.
In the midst of these welcoming ceremonies
/ there Is sincere source of regret 10 Of
/ the feet, and I am sure that may add TO all
| forced absence of our able and respected COM
/ mander in chief together with the reason there
| for.
| Wherever this fleet appears without its chief
! it is much like presenting the play of Hamlet
/ with the character of Hamlet omitted.
| In opening my remarks on this occasion, after
! addressing his excellency the Governor. I added
| and fellow citizens" You little know what joy
| that one expression fellow citizens" gives 10
! the hearts of all and especially after so long
! a journey of nearly fourteen thousand miles. and
| it means great deal 1t means home coming
and the return to what OF the navy invaria-
! bly, denOminate Gods own country"
! San Diego is our first home port, after leaving
/ Hampton Roads on December l6. and your royal
welcome has indeed touched our hearts deeply.
! YES very deeply. and return to you our most
! grateful thanks and appreciation.
| Admiral Thomas then graciousy accepted in
! Admiral Evanss behalf, a golden key sym
bolical of the freedom OF the city. The token
! will he forwarded by Admiral Thomas to Adj
mral Evans at Paso Robes. There will go
| with 1t a gold mounted and jewelled naval
! sword. presented to-day to Admiral Evans
/ through Admiral Thomas by the patriotic fra
ternities Of the city. including the Grand Army
| of the Republic the Confederate Veterans and
| Spanish War Veterans.
| To Admirals Thomas. Sperry and Emery gold
| medals commemorative of their visits were pre-
| sented and there also a medal for Captain
! r. r Ingersou, who served chief of staff 10
| Admiral Evans from Hampton Roads 70 Mag
! daleua Bay The medal will be 10 Captain
| IngersoH at Norfolk.
Tonight ball rendered 10 the admirals
| and officers Of the fleet at the Hotel Del Coro-
| nado.
| Paso Robles. April 15.-AdmiraI Evans still
| hopes 10 lead the fleet through the Golden Gate
| on May 6 Surgeon p. E. McDonnod expresses
! qualification over the improvement Of the ad-
| miraI in the last few days and hopes that. IL
| he continues 10 improve during the next two
! weeks he will be able TO board the Connecticut
| at Monterey. The admiral spent hour in
the glass solarium to-day. and also attended
concert in the hotel parlors given by negro jubi
| ice singers.