Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-18
YOKOHAMA THRONGEO
To HAIL BATTLESH|PS
Japan Gives Enthusiastic Wei
come to American Fleet.
CITY DRESSED IN BUNTING
Shouts of Welcome Sound in Harbor
and Streets.
CITY DRESSED IN BUNTING
HONORS PAID ALL ALIENS
Fireworks, Booming of Guns and
Bursting Of Bombs Greet
First Sight of Visitors.

YOKOHAMA, October 1S-Sfxteen
American battleships. constituting the At
lantic fleet on its peaceful cruise around
the world, are riding at anchor today in
the Bay of Toxic. occupying a post of
honor in front of a number of Japanese
men-of-war, the hulls of the American
vessels making a strong contrast with
the somber-hued warships of the Japa-
nese
In the bay. alive with bunting gaily
decorated tugs and steamers loaded with
sghtseers steaming to and fro.
Launches from the shore and the war
vessels are bearing uniformed officers on
their official visits of welcome.
Preceded by its tender, the Yankton, the
American fleet entered the harbor in a
fog that hung over the bay and dropped
anchor at 9:30 this Sunday morning
one-half hour later than the time sched-
uled. The delay was due to the fog.
The first realization that the fleet was
near at hand came at $40 am, when
the guns from one of the sixteen battle
ships lying outside the breakwater fired
salute as the Yankton appeared through
the fog. In few minutes the fog lifted
shore to get a view of the fleet as it
steamed slowly in, in single line forrna-
ton.
The fleet proceeded to its anchorage
ground, taking the place of honor in
front of the Japanese vessels, and anchor
ed in four columns. When anchors were
cast a reception committee. representing
every department of the Japanese gov
eminent and accompanied by attaches of
the various foreign embassies and Iega-
tions and the mayor of Yokohoma. board
ed the flagship Connecticut and officially
welcomed Rear Admiral Sperry his
officers and men into Japan.
Arrival Of Battleships.
1t was before dawn this morning
---s.-11-, ths 1eviatnans of Americas great
white battleship fleet were dimly discern
ed maneu~ering off the entrance to Toxic
bay. Sixteen warships, the pride of
Japan. in somber color, swung at their
anchor buoys outside of the breakwater
encircled by low purple hills.
Already Yokohama was awake. The
streets were crowded with excited people
streaming in from the surrounding coui-
try afoot, in jinrikishas or in carriages,
making their way to the waterfront or
hills overlooking the waterfront, to get
their first glimpse of the fleet
From thousands of f1agstaffs and build
ings in every point in the big city fioated
the Stars and Stripes. The entire lengths
of miles of streets were almost walled
with intertwined American and Japanese
emblems.
The bay itself was fairly afiame with
bunting. where tugs and steamers, gaily
decorated with streamers and pennants,
lined the wharves awaiting thousands of
excursiOnistS who were going'out to meet
the fleet.
Incoming trains throughout the night
were crowded. By morning practically
every vantage point commanding a view
of the approach of the sixteen big ships
rounding Honmou Point was occupied by
tens of thousands eagerly awaiting the
coming naval pageant.
Greatest Demonstration Ever.
AS the hours passed and daylight ar
rived 1t revealed an inspiring scene afloat
and ashore. Even the early hours made
1t apparent that all expectations of crowds
and enthusiastic welcome to the Ameri-
can fleet would be exceeded. and that all
records of the outpouring of popular SEN
timent would be surpassed.
The enthusissm of the people was evil
IDENTIFY si1Nare, though mixed with the
natural curiosity to the big fighting
ships from America. the long and success
>ul cruise of which has marked new
..och in naval history.
Foreigners were in the minority in the
crowds. Wherever they appeared they
were treated with even exceptional
courtesy. because today to the Japanese
all foreigners must be Americans. many
Japanese being unable to discriminate
between Americans and those from other
lands.
AS the sixteen battleships rounded
Honmou Point and came through the
entrance to the bay they were accom-
panied by the Japanese cruisers Soya,
Magami and Tatsuta. commanded by
Rear Admiral Murakari-
Fireworks Welcome Fleet
Passing up the coast off Yokosuki the
first note of real welcome was sounded
when fireworks salute was fired by
the American Friends Association.
composed entirely of japanese who had
assembled at Kruikama on the site of
Perry's monument. The fleet responded
by gracefully dipping colors.
When it came closer in the fleet was
by the prefecture of Kanagawa. carry
ing 5000 persons. including many for
eigners.
The air was filed with bursting bombs
sent up from various points. The roar
of voices was heard in the city of
Yokohama.
When the feet rounded Honmou Point
and came into full view of the city of
Yokohama the sixteen assembled Japa-
nese warships began firing the salute to
the rear admiral in command of the
American fleet. The roar of the guns. the
bursting fireworks bombs the shrek of
the steam sirens with the drone OF the
deep notes of the liners filled the air with
overwhelming sound.
Spectacle Is Imposing.
When the two fleets finally came to
anchor they presented an imposing spec
tacie ThirtytWo great warShips occu-