The Washington herald., 1908-01-13

Rio de Janeiro, Jan. l2.-The sixteen
vessels composing the American battle
ship fleet, Rear Admiral Robley D. Evans
commanding. arrived here at 4 o'clock
this afternoon When the fleet arrived
of Cape Frio, eighty miles to the east
ward of Rio de Janeiro. it was met by
the tender Yankton, Lieut. Gherardi
commanding, which arrived here last Fri
day, she having been dispatched from
Trinidad in advance of the feet.
The Yankton delivered to Admiral
Evans dispatches containing instructions
regarding the anchorage OF the fleet in
the harbor here, details Of the official
plans for the entertainment of the Off
GERS, and other matters concerning the
visit Of the battle ships,
As the feet passed the lighthouse on
Cape Frio stgnal, sent by order of the
government, conveyed a welcome from
the Brazilian people.
As the war ships came up the bay every
man who could possibly do so was on
deck to view the picturesque scenery. for
which Rio de Janeiro y noted the whole
world over. The battle ships reached the
positions assigned TO them. anchors
were dropped, and the fleet presented a
magnificent picture TO those having the
slightest interest in nautical affairs.
Escorted Up the Bay.
But before the ships reached their an
chorage. in fact, when they were fifteen
miles distant. they were met by a cruiser
and two torpedo boats belonging TO the
Brazilian navy, which had been dispatch.
ed by Rear Admiral Alexandrino de
Alencar. minister of marine, 10 escort
them up the bay
There We're twelve Brazilian war shfns
and one German cruiser. the Bremen. in
port.
As the Americans passed the fortifca-
tions a national salute was fred, which
was replied 10 gun for gun by the battle
ships Then followed the salutes between
the Brazilian. German. and American
war ships and for a time the noise was
thunderous
The news Of the approach of the fleet
had spread through the city long before
the war ships We're near the town. and
thousands Of persons went to the water
front 10 welcome the visitors, and their
greetings were tumultuous The sailors
on the merchant vessels in the harbor
also cheered and shouted cries Of good
will.
Issue Special Editions.
The newspaper world Of the capital was
wide-awake to the Importance OF the
coming of the Americans. and they All
issued special American editions
The feet was due to arrive here yester-
day, according 10 the official schedule.
but in addition TO some delay in coaling
at Trinidad. strong trade winds and heavy
swells We're met with as the war ships
passed along the northeastern coast of
South America. These circumstances ac-
count for the delay in arriving.
On January the feet crossed the ed1a-
tor, and the occasion was marked by
great deal Of fun among the feet. Long
before this date it was learned that there
We're 1880 men aboard the ships who had
never crossed the line. and they Mere
the ones who furnished the sport to the
more seasoned bluejackets and officers.
whose experience had previously taken
them across the equator, which made
them immune from the attention of King
Neptune, who had the greatest day in
his career. His royal flag was displayed
from the mainmast Of each of the ships
and he came aboard in the time-honored
manner, over the bow to see that all the
neophytes were duly initiated into the
mysteries of his court. Discretion was
indeed the better part of valor in treat
ing with his majesty. Did any of the
uninitated attempt 10 resist the rather
rough attention paid TO them by the
kings courtiers, they only called down
on themselves much worse treatment
Various ceremonies were INDUCED in, and
everything passed of in a most laughable
manner
President Entitled to Membership.
The Neptune who visited the Louisiana
was in particularly gracious humor and
as few Of his helots offered any desperate
resistance to his royal attention. he con-
descended 10 announce that special hon
orary certificates would he forwarded IN
President and Mrs. Roosevelt in due
recognition of the fact that they had Wis
tied Panama, which was near the roval
domain. His majesty declared that. al
though the President was absent in body.
he recognized that he was present in
spirit at the initiation of those who never
before had had the great honor OF. cross
ing the equator.
At 1880 on the night of January
north bound barkentine. with lights SET
but burning very dimly. was sighted
close to the feet to the west. For some
unknown reason she did not hold her
course, but suddenly shifted her helm
and ran among the ships of the first
squadron of the first division, near Ad-
miral Evans division, passed between the
Louisiana and Georgia, the latter being
the flag ship of Rear Admiral William II.
Emory. commanding the second division
of the first squadron. Then some one on
the barkentine saw the ships of the
second squadron of the third division,
Rear Admiral Charles NJ Thomas. and
the sailing vessel ran back to her original
course. The battle ships were thrown
into some confusion by the efforts TO
avoid a collision. nut as soon as the dan
ser was past they speedily resumed their
alignment The barkentine had mirac-
ulous escape 1t was generally believed
that with a favOring wind and every