The Washington herald., 1908-01-22
FLEET SAILS TO-DAY
viii Depart from Brazil
After Brilliant SOjOurn.
PUNTA ARENAS THE NEXT STOP
Reception on Board the Minnesota,
at Which There Were 1900 Guests,
the Final Function-Decera of
the Battle ship Unique and Pretty.
Officers Pleased with Their Visit.

Rio de Janeiro, Jan. 2l.-The officers Of
the fleet to-day gave "a reception on board
the Minnesota, the flagship of Rear Ad-
miral Thomas. as a slight return for the
many courtesjes extended 10 them by the
government and private individuals dur
/ ing the fleets visit here.
/ The affair was a success. and few II
any, who received invitations failed 70
take advantage Of them. Fully SOo0 guests
attended. They included the members OF
ethe diplomatic corps, with their wives.
THE leading members OF society. the Amer
lean residents. and a large number Of
Brazilian naval and military officers.
There were also present the officers from
the italian cruiser PugIia and the German
cruiser Bremen, which are now in the
/ harbor here.
Decorations Were Unique.
The decorations We're beautiful. A
fountain was arranged on deck. In the
basin of which gold fish were swimming
I One bit Of decoration which appeared
odd 10 the visitors from ashore was
divers rigs which were placed about
the sides Of the deck.
Wreaths Of flowers were hung upon the
guns, and the flags Of Brazil and the
United States, intertWined and otherwise
played very prominent part in the
decorative scheme. which drew forth
many words Of praise from the guests.
There was dancing. the music being
furnished by the ships band, and re-
freshments were served. The fotilIa of
torpedo boat destrQyers started at s
o'clock this evening for Buenos Avres.
whittier they 60 at the invitation Of the
Argentine government. The auxiliary
vessels Of the feet win sail at s O'Clock
tomorrow morning
Fleet Sails at 3.
At 3 o'clock tomorrow afternoon the
battle ships viii hoist anchor and start
for Punta Arenas, their next stopping
place President Penna will go with
number Of their officials to Fort VII
Iegagnon, from which place they will re-
view the feet as it passes out 10 sea
Fifteen Brazilian warships will escort the
American vessels for some distance.
With the exception Of taking some
stores aboard. the ships are now in readf-
ness for their departure All the officers
express themselves as delighted with the
warmth Of thRTeception accorded to them
by everybody here The visit has been
most successful in every way and there
is scarcely a doubt that it will result I'm
a still closer cementing Of the cordial
relations existing between the two coun-
tries.
The court-martial which tried Surgeon
Rand Percy CrandalI, of the Georgia, who
was accused of overriding the authority
Of the harbor provost while the fleet was
at Port Of Spain, has ordered a reduction
of eight numbers in rank
Police Take Up English.
Lima Jan 2L-The projects of Lima
and Callao, in order to avoid disagreeabIe
incidents that might arise from the
American sailors lack of knowledge of
the Spanish language, are organizing a
special force Of English-speaking police.
who will serve during the visit of the
American battle-ship fleet at CalIao,
The Union Club has prepared a splendid
programme for the entertainment of the
visiting officers There will be regattas
of motors and other boats in Calao Bay.
Chile Extends Courtesy.
Mr. Hicks, United States Minister at
Chill yesterday cabled the State Depart |
ment saying that the Chilean war vessel
Chacabuco win leave Chilli to-day for
Punta Arenas, where she viii meet the
American battle ship fleet
The Chilian warship will accompany the
fleet along the coast of Chill and although /
the battle ship feet viii not make any
stops in Chilian territory after leaving |
Punta Arenas, the Chacabuco viii accom- !
pany the feet until It passes beyond Chill /
an territory on its way to Callao. Peru. |
Minister Hicks added that he and the /
Secretary of the Legation vro41ld accor,