New-York tribune., 1908-01-18
ENTIRE FLEET AT RIO.
THE DESTROYERS ARRIVE.
An EUI Rurn0r about the COnnecti-
cut Without Foundation.

Rio de Janeiro Jan 1.-THE American battle
ship fleet joined to-day in the harbor Of
Rio de Janeiro by the torpedo fottlla- number
ing six vessels, which arrived from Pernambuco
and anchored near the sixteen battleships at
3:45 o'clock in the afternoon The fotflla lett
Pernambuco on January 13 and met good
weather on the voyage to this port. Some de-
Law was occa stoned by the machinery of the
laurence but a few hours suff1Ced to make
temporary repairs until the repair boat Panther
could make the work permanent while in port
here.
Lieutenant Commander Cone reports the
health of the OF the torpedo 1otilla gen.
orally good though there are some cases or
malaria among them. The vessels in his com
mand will sail for Buenos Ayres as soon as the
work of coaling is finished, which will probably
be on January 81.
The scene In the harbor to-day was strik-
ing and picturesque Never before were 50
many warships anchored in this part at one
time Besides the big American battleships
there were the fleet OF Brazilian warships, the
German cruiser Bremen, and finally late IN the
afternoon. came the six American torpedo YES
sells under Lieutenant Commander Cone. Scores
of small boats ran to and fro between the war
shfns and the shore, carrying thousands Of the
men who had leave for the day. while the Off
GERS were still being entertained by the govern
nAnt and the people Of Rio de Janeiro-
Considerable surprise and some amusement
were caused among the officers of the battleshtp
feet as we'll as among the people Of Rio de
1aneiro over numerous inquiries sent by cable
here from the United States to-day asking for
information regarding a reported disaster to the
Ea++1AsriD Connecticut. Admiral Evans's flag
shin At first the inquiries were mystifying 70
those to whom they were addressed, as the
rur7or Of a n1ishap 10 the Connecticut did not
nate here. and while frenzied inquiries were
ra;ng +elegranhed from the United States, all
+he ships of the fleet were lying peacefully in
the harbor in plain view from the shore. Final
1v If became clear that the rumor Of an accident
originated in the United States and had caused
considerable alarm there.
The destroyer Hopkins will go into drydock
IN order to have a new propeller put in place
The collier Arethusa- which is due at Rio to-
morrow. will leave here for Buenos Ayres ahead
Of the fota. It said by Lieutenant Com
roander Cone to-day that the fotilla would
remain at Buenos Ayres four days
The police arrested two men who said they
were attempting 10 desert from one Of the Am
erfcau colliers now in the harbor because they
could not stand the bad treatment TO which
thew were being subjected No importance was
attached TO their statement, and they were sent
back to their vessel
The reception and garden party rendered to
+bA officers of the American fleet by the Naval
CIrb u,ere held at the Botanical Gardens, amid
picturesque surroundings Combined with the
setting Of tropical plants there were special
decorations Over three thousand persons were
nresent The guests were transported TO the
gardens in fifty special electric Tamcars and
we're greeted with enthusiastic cheers from the
oroz,ds which lined the streets. All the Ameri-
cans wore badges of the Brazilian and Amer
ican coIors in the form of small bows, while
Along the walks and the borders Of the
Iakas on the gardens were buffets, where re-
freshnnents were served. There was dancing on
the lawn to the music of a large orchestra until
late in the evening. Among those present were
+ha brazilian Minister OF Marine and many
| other high officials of the Brazilian navy.
T-be surgeons Of the American feet, together
with those from the German cruiser Bremen
n5 the Italian cruiser PugIia- visited the pris-
cina1 HOSPITALS of the city to-day and at one of
! .h inetitutions witnessed a delicate operation
| -, a brazilian surgeon. Afterward they were
toLan in automobiles TO several places of inter
| oct and ended their excursion al a breakfast
| e.ven on board the steamship Ceara. of the Bra
zi1ian-Ilovd Line. where there was a cordial
| exchange of toasts
/ roroorrow there will be a race between barge
crews from the Louisiana and the Minnesota
! over A mile course for prize of several thou
/ sand dollars.
The hands from the Connecticut the Georgia,
| ,bo Minnesota and the Alabama will come
ashore on Monday, which is the anniversary OF
| the founding of the city of Rio de Janeiro, and
| play in the public squares and parks The
! American Ambassador. Irving g. Dudley VIII
nresent the admiras and captains OF the fleet 10
! the Foreign Minister. Baron Rio Branco-
hose Carlos Rodriques. proprietor OF The
! Journal of Commerce." viii give dinner for
Continued third