The San Francisco call., 1908-05-08
ARMY'S WEAKNESS
SHOWN BY FUNSTON
Continued from Page 1, Column

Continued from Page 1, Column
his audience TO draw its own conclu-
sions.
AS great as are the needs of the
navy" he said. you can best Judge of
the needs OF the army when tell you
that the handful of soldiers who ap-
peared on the streets Of san Francisco
today composed 5 per cent Of the en-
tire strength Of the United States army.
II is true that had we at the Presidio so
desired we could have kept the great
armada from entering the Golden gate.
but had the armada landed its forces
at Halfmoon bay they would have
got u.s."
The important feature Of the ban
ouet was the interchange Of ideas be-
tween the army and the navy. Each
had its need and the speakers repre-
senting them had no hesitancy IN max
ing them known
i warn you from becoming indider-
ent," said Admiral Thomas.
Indifference breeds Ignorance The
United states needs a navy only Sec
ond TO that of England, and at least
20 per cent better than the next strong
est power to US"
we did our best to welcome the
feet" continued Funston We burned
some hundreds Of pounds Of powder,
which was against regulations Now,
when the investigation starts viii put
the matter on the head Of Colonel
Lundeen. He viii pass il on TO the on
Ger IN charge of the detachment and
so on. IN this way the higher ups will
be saved
At the dread word there was per-
ceptible shudder around the head table
and an attempt made TO scare away the
skeleton by tumuituous cheering
Tvpical naval decorations and the
presence of nearly the entire roster Of
flag and commanding officers Of the
combined Atlantic fleet and Pacific
squadron were the features Of the ban
ouet.
The banquet hall was handsomely
decorated for the occasion, national
colors forming the background Of the
speakers table and framing the door
ways while from the ceiling of the i'm
snense room were draped strings and
festoons Of naval signal flags, reaching
away to every corner. over the center
Of the speakers table hung the two
starred blue flag Of the commander in
chief OF the feet, and az every light
cluster were gathered small silk Amer
ican flags The table decorations were
patterned Of exquisite flowers and
elaborate plate cards, menus and music
programmes We're at each cover .
The tables were ranged in several
tiers, with cross tables at the head the
central group being reserved for the
speakers and specially invited guests.
To the eyes Of a political observer the
seating arrangements might have pre-
sented certain significance that prob
ably meant nothing to the officers who
have newly arrived as the guests of the
state. and therefore passed without
comment On Governor Giliett's right
at the central table was Secretary Vic
tor Il. Netcalf and on his left Rear Ad-
1niral Charles Thomas, senior naval Of
fcer present owing TO the enforced abb
sence Of Admiral Evans.
Grouped about these central figures
were Rear Admirals Dayton and Swim
burne. General Funston. Benjamin Ide
wheeler and William Z. Herrin, with
Justice Henshaw Of the supreme court
and william Z. Dargie close at hand.
Ofhcers OF the feet. including Admiral
Sperry who Will command the feet on
ITS world cruise. mingled with members
Of the governors staff at the farther
ends OF the tables. and the remaining
officers Of the feet were scattered
about the other tables.
While the menu OF the banquet was
an elaborate one. the arrangements
were in some respects lacking and the
confusion resulting was partially re-
sponsibie for the late beginning OF the
foasts. the first OF which was not given
until after 10 o'clock Governor Gil
lett called the banquet to order. and,
after proposing a silent toast to Presi-
dent Roosevelt. introduced Justice Hen
shaw as the postmaster Of the even
ing. The responses which followed
were by Secretary Metcalf. Rear Ad-
miral Thomas. Brigadier General Fun
stou, Rev. Charles R. Brown, Judge F.
A. Cutler, General c. A. Woodruff.
Mayor Edward F. Taylor and Rev. Rob-
ert J. Burdette.
Deep was the feeling expressed on
all sides over the absence of Admiral
Evans. and in his response for the
feet TO the welcome accorded ii by San
Francisco and the state Admiral
Thomas took occasion to pay a glowing
tribute 70 the man whom he is so soon
70 reliel'e from the active command OF
the Atlantic fleet Could Admiral
Evans himself have been there not a
single cause for regret would have re-
NAMED to the host OF officers and citi-
zens ia attendance.
An elaborate program Of orchestra
music. under the direction of Sir Henry
Heyman, was played while the banquet
proper was in progress and patriotic
airs erlivened the intervals between
speech making. AS Governor Gillett
toasted the president Of the United
States. inviting all TO join with him in
drinking a silent health TO the latter.
the orchestra broke into the strains of
+The Star Spangled Banner and the
guests arose 10 their feet and Joined
heartily IN singing the patriotic words.
As Admiral Thomas was introduced the
orchestra played Columbia the Gem
Of the Ocean" and for General Funston
the air was Hall Columbia
In his few Introductory words, before