The Washington herald., 1908-02-21

Callao. Peru, Feb. 2O.-The American
hattie ship fleet, Rear Admiral Evans
commanding. arrived here at $3.50 O'Clock
this morning. having traversed some 1000
miles since it sailed from Hampton Roads
December 10 From Punta Arenas the
scheduled cruising speed Of ten knots an
hour was maintained.
Yesterday afternoon the Peruvian
cruiser Boiogresi. which had been dis
patched for the purpose. met the fleet at
sea and escorted it to this port While
the Connecticut the flag ship OF Admiral
Evans, was 500 niles distant from this
port. a wireless message was received
from Senor Pardo. president OF Peru, ex-
tending hearty welcome to the feet in
the name Of himself and the people. Ad-
miraI Evans Immediately sent a reply
thanking President Pardo for his mes
sage.
Thousands ThrOnE City.
Callao was thronged to-day with thou
sands Of persons from Lima and other
IIaces. who had come TO the city TO see
the great fleet and welcome it. In none
o. tEe pc1ts at which the war ships nave
callcd-Trindad. Rio de Janeiro and Pun
Ia Arenas-has such enthusiasm been dis
rlayed as shown here. This was with
out question due. in a great measure. to
the recent visit Of Secretary Of State
Root. which established a special feel
ing Of friendship between Peru and the
United States.
Furthermore. the Peruvians have al
wcys maintained a friendly feeling for
tie Americans ever since the war between
Peru and Chilli. in 1873. when the United
Ststes supported Peru. Consequently the
greeting extended 10 the visitors to-day
vas marked bv The greatest heartiness
ard tue americans practically own The
town.
Two ocean steamers loaded with excur
sionists, met the war ships some distance
az sea ana steamed as close 10 them as
WIS consistent with safety. Shouts Of
yyticome and cries of viva los Ameri-
cans" and viva los Estados Unidos' fire.
Quently reached the ears Of those aboard
the war ships. and were understood even
by those whose. knowledge Of Spanish
was exceedingly fragmentary.
Observed ~ n Holiday
The enthusiasm displayed by this first
contingent Of Peruvians however, was
not to be compared with that shown by
the people ashore. many Of whom fairly
went wild in their demonstrations OF vel
come Tho day was observed as a gem
eral holiday not only here but in the
capital All the stores in both cities were
closed to give an opportunity to all the
employees TO go TO the water front to see
and welcome the American vessels,
II is doubtful If CallaO ever saw such
crowd Of visitors from the surrounding
country before Throughout the city were
posted placards bearing autographed rep
reservations Of the American flag and
words Of welcome. These had been put
up by order of the government.
Great preparations have been made for
the entertainment Of the visitors. both
officers and bluejackets, whose time will
be well occupied during their stay here.
Tomorrow official visits will be ex-
changed
On Saturday President Pardo will give
a dinner 10 80 officers of the feet
On Saturday also there will be a regatta
in the harbor here, in which native boats
and the boats from the warships will take
part.
On Sunday there will be a regatta
The biggest and most spectacular event
on the programme is a special bull fight
which will be held Monday under the
auspices OF the government. This viii be
attended by 6oO officers and 2,oOO men.
Garden Party on Tuesday.
On Tuesday the municipality will give
garden party in the exposition grounds
for which great number Of invitations
have been Issued It will be attended
by all the high state. municipal. military,
and naval officers. and by all the mem-
be-s of the highest society.
On Tuesday Rear Admiral Evans VII
give a dinner on board the Connecticut in
return for the coUrtesies extended to hir,
and his officers by the Peruvian govern
ment
The feet viii give an entertainment
on Friday.
On Saturday the feet will sail for Mag
oalend bay, Wnere considerable time viii
be spent in gun practice
In addition TO the official programme.
many private entertainments have been
arranged and everybody is looking for
ward to jolly time during the fleets
stay here
Ships Begin CORIinE.
-Four OF the ships viii begin coaIing to-
morrow. The Others viii proceed TO sea
TO swing around and adjust their com
passes. Some viii go out tomorrow for
this purpose, and the others VIII 90
Saturday
Numerous minstrel shows Will be given
on different evenings on the various ships
and the people from ashore will be in
vited. There will also be displays Of NOV
ing pictures, some OF the crews having
purchased machines for this purpose The
men have behaved with the greatest cir
cumspection I'm all the ports visited. and
only n comparatively few OF them will
be deprived OF shore liberty here.
The fleet passed the cruiser Chicago at
4 o'clock in the afternoon of February
Z Continued on Page =, Column 2.
SI.25 to Baltimore and Return.