Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-08
QUITS PUNTA ARENAS
Warship Fleet Is Leaving Ma
geIIan Strait.
EXCHANGE OF COURTESlES
Long Voyage Up the Pacific Coast Is
Begun.
WILL ENJOY WILD SCENERY
Squadron Is to Fire Salute Of
EXCHANGE OF C0URTESIES
WILL ENJOY WILD SCENERY
Squadron Is to Fire a Salute OFF
Valparaiso, But Will Not Stop.
Talcahuao Next.

PUNTA ARENAS. Strait Of Magellan
February s. . a.m.-The a. American battle
ships. accompanied by the torpedo boa,
flotilla, cleared from the harbor at
o'clock this morning on their way through
the western half of the strait to the
Pacific coast of South America. All the
vessels were in complete readiness, and
raised their anchors simultaneously wher
the signal to proceed was given from the
flagship Connecticut When day broke
TO-DAY they had rounded Cape Forwa I'd
the extreme southern point of ,he South
American mainland. and turned theii
prows northwestward for the run OF 1Jt
miles to the Pacific end of the strait.
Officers and men yesterday paid fare
we'll calls to their friends on shore, and
the official farewells were made in the
afternoon
Rear Admiral Evans sent letter to
John Hicks. American minister to Chile,
expressing his thanks to the Chilean gov
eminent for the splendid reception ac-
corded the American feet and its person
mel. The admiral expresses the belief that
the visit will strengthen the already friend
ly relations existing between the two re-
publics. He says that he regrets that his
schedule will not permit the fleet to visit
Valparaiso but that the vessel will pass
close TO that city in order to honor the
Chilean flag.
Replying TO the admirafs communca-
ton. Mr.. Hicks said he would make the
necessary expla ma tOns to the Chilean gov
ernment. He also complimented Admiral
Evans for the effective condition of his
feet and the discipline of his men.
Through the dangerous channels of the
western portion of Magellan strait. navi-
inu uriti
Pillar the westernmost point of the
southern side of the strait. has been left
we'll behind and the waters OF the broad
Pacific fairly entered. the American bat
tleship feet and torpedo boat destroyer
fiotilla now continue their remarkable
cruise From Punta Arenas their course
lies southwark to Cape Froward. the
southernmost point on the mainland of
South America. From Cape f'roWard the
strait turns and extends $50 miles in a
northwesterly direction. After Cape fHlar
has been cleared the battleships' prows
will be turned northward and course
laid along the Chilean coast to point
off Valparaiso and thence to Callao.
Destroyers Cut Corners.
Lieut.. Cones fotilla of torpedo boat de-
stroyers will part company with tie bat
tleships when Smyth Channel. thirty
miles from the western end of Magellan
strait, is reached and proceed northward
through this channel They will follow
an inside route that will keep the little
vessels we'll protected from heavy
weather and will also shorten their voy-
age to Talcahunao their next stopping
place 213O knots from Punta Arenas.
Following closely along the rocky coast
OF Chile the battleships in weeks time
will find themselves off Valparaiso. Here
they will run in close to the city and
each will fire the national salute of twen-
ty-one guns. after which they will con-
tnue their voyage to CallsO. Peru. That
portion of Magellan strait through which
the fleet is now passing is one of the
most wildly picturesque waterways in the
world. and the American sailors will wit
ness scenery that is grand and rugged.
Wild Strait Scenery.
Mountains some OF which attain a
, height OF 1.O0c feet. border the strait on
both sides: the shores mostly are steep.
and glaciers descend nearly to the sea in
some places and frequently crown preci-
lv,i1 In