Evening star., 1908-02-04
RANouET TO OFFICERS ON THE
CRUISER CHACABUCo

PIETA ARENA Strait of Magellan
February 4.-The American battle ships
under Rear Admiral Evans. on their wa!
up the west coast of South America
Will make an informal call at Valparaiso
They will not anchor in the port, but
steaming in close to shore each vesse
will salute the town with twenty-one
guns and proceed.
The British steamer Towergate. with
coal for the fleet arrived here today
she left Philadelphia December %.
Banquet on Sunday.
A banquet was given Sunday or
board the Chilean cruiser Chacabuct
to the admirals. captains and other hign
officers of the American fleet. Admlra
Simpson. the chairman Of the Chilean del
egation that came here on the cruiser to
welcome the Americans. presided, and
those present included the Amerl-
can minister. John Hicks; the secretary
of the American legation. Henry l.
James: Admirals Thomas and Sperry
Naval Subsecretary Pieto. Deputy Aan-
artu Admiral Rogas and the commander
of the British cruiser Sappho.
Covers were laid for about fifty guests
i'm the ward room. which was handsomely
decorated Admiral Simpson offered q
toast to the United States and Its navy
expressing the pleasure which the Iniear
government had in welcoming the Ameri-
cans. Admiral Thomas responded with
similar expression of good Will.
Speech of Admiral Simpson.
Admiral Simpson in the course of his
address, said:
..1-bo rbilaap poyarnmnpf granted me
the great privilege of coming TO meet the
American fleet at the most southerly port
in order to welcome it in the name of our
navy The mission affords me an op-
portunity to he among illustr!ous Ameri-
can sailors with one of the most dis
tinguished American diplomatists. Mr.
Hicks. who has contributed greatly to
the maintenance of the cordial relations
between the two countries.
1--WE Chileans have been impressed by
the naval resources accumulated in the
last quarter of a century. In this short
period the American nation has shown
an efficiency in naval affairs as high
as any other power in the world. The
standard of American character has bee r
revealed in all branches of human activ-
ity and their determination is to raise
America to the foremost rank in the
world The great voyage of the fleet is
d
certain that its voyage here will leave
al impression of the wonderful progress
made by the Anne rican nation.
Evans Still Sick.
Admiral Thomas. who represented Real
Admiral Evans. who is still sick pro.
posed toast to the President of Chile
the Chilean navy and the officers of the
Chacabuco. The American minister Mr.
Hicks, took occasion to thank the Chilean
nation for the attentions which the iee
had received.
Til: band played the American an,
Chilean national antht ms and the sreates
enthusiasm prevailed
Rear Admiral Evans has cabled the
Navy Department that the reception oi
the fleet by the Chilean authorities at
Punta Arenas and by the people has
been nlDst hearty and gracious. \ special
commission, headed by Rear Admiral
Simpson. is at Punta Arenas on board
the chacabuco to extend Il welcome to
Chilean ports. ADMIRAL Evans SAYS the
Chilean government has placed it's coal
supply 1T Punta Arenas at the disposi-
tion of the battleships. but fortunately il
is unnecessary to use it.
Daily entertainments are being given
for the officers and men OF the fleet
At the urgent request of the United
States minister TO Chile and the Chilean
authorities, Admiral Evans says the bat
tleship fleet will pass near enough to Val
paraiSo for the people to see the ships