Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-19
Los Angeles Turns Out Fully
100000 Strong.
BATTLE CRAFT AT ANCHOR
Elaborate Program of Entertainment
Planned for the Week.
PEOPLE SIMPLY WENT WILD
Fleet Split Into Four Squadrons to
Give Everybody Chance
for a Look

LOS ANGELES. Cal. April 1S.--Los An
geIes sent more than 100000 OF its res
idents to the ocean side today to welcome
the American battleship feet. which
steamed into San Pedro harbor, twenty
two miles away. in the full radiance Of a
midsummer sun. and dropped anchor at
$50 pm. The sixteen fighting vessels and
three auxiliaries. leaving San Diego
shortly after o'clock this morning, had
steamed up the 100 miles Of surf-beaten
coast In single column formation. 800
yards apart and in full view Of thousands
Of persons who gathered at every vantags
point.
With the Connecticut leading and with
Rear Admiral Charles NJ. Thomas on the
bridge. the long line OF ships pointed with
In the breakwater at San Pedro bay just
half an hour behind their scheduled time
OF arrival. The Connecticut, Kansas. ver-
mont and Louisiana took up berths within
the sheltered portion Of the harbor. where
they are to remain the full seven days OF
the fleets visit, while the other twelve
ships OF the second. third and fourth di-
visions reached out into the open water
In line nearly two miles long.
Twas q Great Hurrah.
The arrival Of the fleet was accompanied
by all the flashing colors and embellish-
ments that have made its presence in
every home and foreign port visited in
the last four months q marine picture un-
rivaled in imposing beauty. The thou
sands OF people who made the occasion
of the arrival a holiday and who lined
the sea walls. breakwaters and beaches
surrounding the bays fairly went wild In
their enthusiasm as the fleet steamed into
it's assigned position. They had watched,
the ships grow from a miniature squao-
ron. smoke-enshrouded in the distance, to
a full-growu glory OF the near view Of
tered in the confines Of the harbor. with
increasing excitement, and when the an
chors dropped witl, a splash into the rip
ping waters whistles blew in a perfect
pandemonium Of greeting. while cheers
grew In volume until they could be heard
on board the Minnesota, the last Of the
big fighters in the far-reaching column.
"Pictures' Last Night.
Tonight the feet was Illuminated,
hulls. superstructures. turrets and yard
arms being outlined in electric bulbs.
Mayor A. c. Harper. accompanied by
Gen. A. r. Chaffee and other members
OF the Los Angeles reception COMMITTEES.
went by special steamer several miles
down the coast to greet the incoming
feet, but did not board the flagship
Connecticut until the anchoring signal
Of multicolored flags had dropped from
the signal yards.
Admiral Thomas received the visitors
in his cabin and thanked them IN char
acteristicalIy gracious manner for the
cordial greetings extended. The stay
of the fleet at the port OF Los Angeles
during the next week Ia to be marked
by the most elaborate program Of en-
tertainment, both for the enlisted men
and officers. the city has ever known.
Tomorrow morning the feet :s to be
split up In squadrons In order mat four
OF the Los Angeles ports may share In
the honor OF entertaining the greatest
naval force the waters Of the coast ever
saw.
Message From Admiral Evans.
In reply to a telegram from the Ex-
press today Admiral Evans sent the fol-
lowing message:
II beg to say that 1t is the regret OF
my life that 1 cannot be with the omcers
and men of the Atlantic fleet to enjoy the
hospitality Of the people OF Los Angeles
SO plentifully bestowed.
BE good to these officers. because they
are all wool and yard wide. and prepare
to prove that California is as much part
of the United States New York or
New England. You will need them some
day and / predict that they will be ready
at the drop Of the hat, either for a fight
or for a frOlic.
..tsod bless them all. thank the people
Of Los Angeles for all their courtesies
and good wishes.
(Signed EVANS.