The state herald., 1908-10-23
WONDERFUL PAGEANT OF AMER.
icAN AND JAPANESE VESSELS
IN HARsoR OF TOXIC.
BRIGHT WITH BUNTING
THOUSANDS OF SPECTATORS
WITNESS INSPIRING SCENE
AFLoAT AND ASHORE.

tleships, constituting the Atlantic
fleet on It's peaceful cruise around the
world, are riding at anchor today in
the bay OF Toxic occupying the post
of honor in front of number Of Jap
anese men-ofwar, the hulls Of the
American vessels making strong con-
trast with the somber.hued ones of the
Japanese.
In the bay, alive with bunting. gai!y
decorated tugs and steamers loaded
with sightseers, are steaming to and
fro, and launches from the shore ara.
the war vessels are bearing uniformed
officers on tLeir official visits OF vel
come.
1t was in the gray hours before
dawn Saturday morning when the le-
viathans of Americas great white bat
tleship fleet were dimly discerned ma
neuvering off the entrance to Toxic
bay, while sixteen warships. the
pride of Japan, in somber color swung
at their anchor buoys outside of the
breakwater encircled by low purple
hills.
From thousands Of flagstaffs and
buildings and every point in the big
city floated the stars and stripes and
the entire lengths of miles of streets
were almost walled with intertwincd
American and Japanese emblems. The
bay itself was fairly aflame with bunt-
ing where tugs and steamers. gaily
decorated with streamers and pen
nants, lined the wharves awaiting
thousands of excursionists who were
going out to meet the fleet.
Even the early hours mads It ap.
parent that all expectations OF great
crowds and an enthusiastic welcom.
to the American fleet would be eN
ceeded and that all records OF the out
pouring of popular sentiment would
be surpassed.
The enthusiasm OF the people was
evidently silcere. though mixed with
the natural curiosity TO see the big
fighting ships from America. the long
and successful cruise of which has
marked new epoch In naval history.
As the sixteen battleships rounded
Honmou point and came through the =
entrance TO he bay they We're accom-
panied by the Japanese cruisers Soya'
Magami aaa Tatsuta, commanded by
Rear Admiral Murakami. Passing up
the coast off Yokosuki, the first note
of real welcome was sounded when
fireworks salute was fired by the
American fiends." comprised OF Jap
anese who had assembled at Muri Kn-
rihama on the site of Perry's monn-
ment. The fleet responded by grace
fully dipping colors.
When Il came closer In the fleet was
met by seven big ocean liners char
tered by the prefecture OF kanagawa,
carrying 1000 persons. including many
foreigners. The air was filled with
bursting bombs, sent up from various
points, and the roar OF voices was
heard even n the city of Yokohama.
When the fleet rounded iionmou
point and came into full view OF the
city OF Yokohama. the sixteen assem-
aled japanese warshlps began firing
the salute TO the rear admiral In com
mand OF the American fleet. The roar
OF the guns. the bursting fireworks
bombs, III. shrek Of the steam sirent.
with the drone OF IN. deep notes Of the
liners. filled the air with overwhelming
sound. Ashore, bedlam broke loose.
and words fail to describe the enthus'
iasm OF the assembled thousands.
When the American flec, finally
came to anchor. II presented AN impos'
Ing spectacle. Thir,y.two great war
ships occupied four long columns of
eight each, tre Americans taking place
Of honor In the forefront. tn. Japanese
Immediately behind them and hcadlns
due north.
As soon an the fleet came 10 anchor
reception committee from the Jap
anoae government. representing every
department. and attaches OF the ,sFi.
Gus foreign embassies AMI Legations
and III. mayor Of Yokohama put off
from shore Tor the flagship conneo,i.
cut.
Every yernseular newspaper In Yo'
tohama and Toxic printed special n.
iuatfai.d editions. con aiming cn,aus.
iastie articles with reference To the
coming Of the American fleet. III.
entire circulation Of these newspapers
/ will probably reach 100000.
White sisvs Traffic.