The Cairo bulletin., 1908-03-17
.BATTLESH|PS At
MACOtlENA BAY
ARRIVED THERE MARCH t3 AND
WELCOMED BY MEXICAN
AUTHORITIES.
TARGET DRILL BECIsS
Almost immedi ately After Big Ships
Drop Anchor-Evans Says They
Arc Ready For Any Orders
That May Be Given.

! Masdalcna Bay, Lower California,
March IS, by u. S. Cruiser Buffalo to
San Diego, Cal. March 1G.-Ready for
immediate action If need be, according
to declarations of all commanding CT
ficers from rear admirals down, and
with three or four feet of heavy armor
belt showing red above the blue of the
placid southern waters, the American
battleship fleet sailed into Magdalena
Bay today and after exchanging cour-
tesies with the Mexican authorities,
represented by Governor Sanguinez OF
the southern division of Lower Califor-
mia, prepared Immediately for an an.
nual record for spring traget practices.
which is expected to occupy about
three weeks.
Look at u.s." exclaimed Admiral
Evans, when the fleet had come to
anchor off Magdalena. I'VE are ready
at a moments notice to begin shooting
at targets, to go out TO sea and fight
battle, or to keep up the cruise. III
any one thinks we are not ready with
target practice let him come here to.
morrow and see us. If they think We
can't hit targets let them come along
and take a look at them"
Evans health has greatly improved
during the latter part of the voyage.
lie was nthe pilot house of the Con
necticut when the fleet steamed
through the gateway to the bay, ami
remained there giving orders and wit.
Messing their execution until the an-
chor chains had whirred their way inta
the water and the great mud hooks
had found a resting place in the sandy
bottom of the bay.
The entire town of Magdalena |
which despite repc rts of a wonderful
boom, is still tiny village, turned out |
its total population of 140 souls-four
of them Anericans-to watch the com
ing of the feet.
Governor Sanguinez, surround by
gayly uniformed members of his staff
the approach cf the vessels
from the most pretentious dwelling of
the village.
Thomas, commanding the second
squadron, to come ashore and pay re.
spects to the commander.in-c chief aud
Mclean authorities and this he did
within the first hour after anchoring.
received the Americans
nest graciously. He told them ho
came to Magdalena as personal rep
of President Diaz to bid
he American feet welcome. Admiral
Thomas thanked his excellency cor
lially and told how much the Ameri
'an people appreciated the courtesy OF
he Mexican government in allowing
he navy use one of its most magnih-
,ent harbors. During the afternoon
returned Thomas call and
vas entertained on board the Mime
ota
Toasts We're drunk to Presidents
Roosevelt and Diaz and the wish was
that the cordial relations
'etween the two traeat republics might
Ilways remain as cordial as now. AS
he governor went over the side of the
-essel on his return to shore, Mime |
ota fired seventeen guns in his honor. .
The battleshifSs Kansas, Kentucky,
nd Vermont were on the target !.
anges soon after the feet had come ,
o anchor, setting out targets and per ,
Getting arrangements for immediate
eginning of fire. Target practice mas
e concluded In three week and the
eet should leave here some time
etween April and 10. probably
carer the later date. There is to he !
% battle practice. contrary to ex
but these drills are always
eserved until fall ?
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