Los Angeles herald., 1908-10-19
SHIPS BADLY BATTERED IN
EASTERN VOYAGE
WORST STORM EVER ENcoUN-
TERED, SAY OFFICERS
Yokohama Reception Gratifying After
Trying Experience in Typhoon.
Formal Receptions Take
Place on Flagship
[Rx Associated Pres..1


Il lean battleship fleet lies in the
| harbor the entire assemblage making
| a display unprecedented In the history
| of Yokohama.
| Shortly after the ships came to an
chor the mist. which had shut out
| their coming, cleared and little breeze
| carried away the smoke from the salut-
| ing guns, revealing from the shore
| front the lines of white American SHIPS
| of war, backed by the gray OF the Jap
anese.
Scores of small craft chartered by in
dividuals and associations. darted IN
and out among the battleships, the
American AsfAtic association being
among those to give heartiest welcome.
| Two thousand school children sang
| the American national anthem, tne
sound of singing reaching far over the
water
mendous battering of the waves, which
is described by old officers as the worst
they have ever encountered.
Kearsarge Far Behind
The Kearsarge, which got separated
from the fleet, only picked up the otn-
ers early this morning, and is stlll uh-
dergoing repairs. :,
Rear Admiral Sperry said immedl-
ately after anchoring that he was gao
to arrive In Japan, and that ne greatly
appreciated the evidences of a slnceIS
welcome. the arrangements TOT Whicn
appeared to be perfect.
Commander John A, Dougherty' the
American naval attache at Toxic, VINO
came here to take part in the welcome
to the fleet, boarded the connecticut
this morning and discussed the pro-
gram with the admiral.
The moment the fleet dropped anchor
the admirals in formal dress hasteneu
e~o.S. 4ba 40 Of the various Q1Vl-
sions to the flagship of the heet, tns
Connecticut, which also was boaroeu
nv Jananese subordinate officers VINO
came to arrange details.
Go Aboard Mlkasa
Shortly after the commander-in-chief
and the other admirals, accompanied
by their staffs, entered motor poat
and proceeded to the flagship Mlkasa
| of the Japanese fleet, to pay an onciai
| cali upon Vice Admiral Sir Goro iJui,i.
Th.s Japanese adrnfralS immedlately
returned the call. Vice Admiral lJuln'
resplendent with gold lace and mag
nificent decorations, was given a hearty
welcome by Admiral Sperry on ooaro
the Connecticut. l.
After a brief visit the Japanese uS
parted. and as they went down the sloe
fba Jananese flag was broken out at
fine mainmast and the guns belcheo
forth salute. r..
A short time later Francis B. Loomis.
formerly the first assistant secretary OF
state and now the United states corn-
missioner general to the Japanese ex-
position at Toxic. accompanied py Mrs Mrs
Toomis. John G. O'Laughlin and MRS.
O'Iaughlin and Acting Consul General
Rabbit. called on Rear Admiral Sperry
and paid their respects. They were
given fifteen guns as they left the SNIP
NIeife Exchanued
In the meantime visits were ex-
changed between the captains OF all
the vessels =,
The mayor and governor also called
on the admiral and later the reception
committee, the spokesman OF Wnlcn
was M. Mate, boarded the Connecticut
and bade the admiral and ms men
welcome in behalf of the entire nation.
He thanked the Americans for their
evidences of friendship and regard, to
which Admiral Sperry responded III
similar vein.
In the afternoon the garden party
given by the mayor of Yokohama was
attended by many officers and great
crowds of civilians. but the weather
was unfavorable and somewhat inter-
fered with the success of the function.
Everywhere about the streets the
American officers and men are treated
with the greatest courtesy, being
saluted always by the police and Jap
anese soldiers
Crowds continue to swarm the streets
about the water front all day and at
mig. fall magnificent illuminations
lighted the entire city.
Electric lights and lanterns were
swinging everywhere and at prom
inent point a huge design, in which
the word "Welcome" was spelled with
brilliant lights. was surrounded by
hundreds of American and Japanese
flags.
The lantern parade, in which there
were many flower floats, made an in
spring spectacle, as thousands upon
thousands of the little Japanese IN
quaint costumes and bright colors took
part.
All of the Japanese ships were out
lined tonight in electric lights and each
carried an American flag at Its main
mast.
Several dinners were given this even
ing in honor of the American officers,
at one of which the mayor was the
host and Admiral Sperry the chief
guest of honor. This was followed by
a grand ball, given by Governor Suiu
of Kanagawa. at which 1900 people were
present.
During the course of his speech at
the dinner Admiral Sperry said that
the object of the cruise was the devel-
opment of the fleet for peaceful pur-
poses. He believed that nothing was
ever likely to occur to break the tradi-
tional friendship of America and Japan.
1t is understood Captain w. B. Pot
ter of the Vermont will take command
of the second division at Hongkong.
Morning Program
Monday morning broke calm and
beautiful over the bay, the harbor be-
ing bathed in brilliant sunshine which
threw into strong relief the glistening
white sides of the American battle
ships where they lie at anchor beside
the darker Japanese feet which
showed strongly against the clear hori-
zon.
The first item in the reception to the
Americans was the departure of Rear
Admiral Sperry and the admirals and
captains of the fleet for Toxic. They
toontinued on Page Twol