Albuquerque citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1907-1909, 1908-04-09
Coast Cities Display Rivalry in
Preparations for Their
Welcome to the
BattleShlpS.
SPORTS, BANQUtTS
AND BIG PARADES
Everybody in Coast State Anxious
TO Make Sailors Feel at Home
Ships Leave Mdgddlend
Saturday and Reach
San Diego April H.

Sdn Diego April 4.
San Francisco, April "A wireless
received today from Magdalena bay
says that the second flutlla of torpedo
boats arrived at the bay April ;, a day
ahead of schedule. Following the
completion of target practice all the
big ships have been given coat Of
paint and all have been overhauled.
They are in readiness for the run up
the California coast
CaIfornians Anxious.
san Diego, April 9.-With the COM
ing of the Atlantic fleet less than ten
days away san Diego, the first of the
California cities to celebrate the re-
turn of the ships to home waters, is
taking on gala attire, and prepara-
tons for the various entertainments
are being rushed to a conclusion
Welcoming arches are being erected
along the principal streets and all Of
the large buildings are being outlined
in electric bulbs.
At Coronado Beach, just across the
bay, where the officers are to be en-
tertained with banquets and balls, an
ocean pier reaching out 700 feet
across the breakers has been con-
structed for the convenience of land
ing parties from the ships. The fam
lilies of naval officers from all parts
of the country already are gathering
al the HoLcl del Coronado, which will
be the center of the gayeties, and here
also Governor Gillett will come to eX-
tend a formal welcome to the state Of
California.
Rivalry Among Cities.
Great rivalry exists among the cit
les that are to be visited by the fleet,
and the sailormen of the sixteen ships
vii be fairly surfeited with attentions
ashore. The people of California are
especially anxious to do something out
of the ordinary for the enlisted men,
and while some of the features of the
program Will not exactly be in line
with the bluejackets' ideas of a froic,
the committees have striven earnestly
to arrange all of the affairs in keep
ing with the wishes of men now in the
service or who have served terms of
enlistment in the navy in recent years.
Parade5 are among the program
features here and in one or two other
cities, but as compensation for these
the men are promised all sorts Of
good things to eat, wild west shows,
theater matinecs and large variety
Of entertainment.
Boxing Bouts VIII Entertain.
Los Angeles already has won d
warm spot in the sailors hearts by ar
ranging a series Of boxing bouts to ex-
tend over a period of four days un-
der the management of Champion
James ]. Jeffries. There is nothing
that appeals more to the enlisted men
Of the navy than a good fight with
eight-ounce gloves. In addition to
bouts between Wcll-knOWn fighters Of
California there will be matches
among the men of the fleet for purses
of $50 each. The bouts will be held
i'm accordance with the fleet regula-
uons and with Jeffrics as referee. The
approval Of the commanding officers
of the fleet has been given To- the
program, and reports from MagdaIena
bay say the sailors are looking for
ward to the fights with eager inter
est Several matches have been made
at Magdalcna, and the men of the
fleet are loyal hackers Of the fayOrites
W their respective crews.
Boat Races for Prizes.
BUatraCes will Doe another feature
of the entertainment, programs to ap-
peal to the sailors. Beautiful silver
trophy cups will be given for the win
nuTs of the races scheduled i'm san
Diego bay and at other places along
the coast. At san Francisco there viii
bc both cup and money prizes, 500
being given to the winning crews in
each race. Baseball games also are
being arranged everywhere, and when
tn" fleet reaches san Francisco there
will be championship matches be-
tween mines representing the Pacific
ana Atlantic fleets These baseball
games always are a gala occasion,
Tho sailors are granted shore liberty
i'm large numbers They bring the
ships bands ana all the ships mas
cots-bcar cubs, goats, monkeys. par
r'ts and bull dogs and all have
lively time.
The illness of Admiral Evans ,
'uro" Of deep regret all aloug the
coast lie has figured above every
thing else in the reception plans His
pictures are everywhere and his name
is cmblaz0uod on all the banners of
welcome. Golden keys 20 the city
have been manufactured at almost ey-