New-York tribune., 1908-03-17
THE FLEETS ARRIVAL
ENTERED BAY At DAWN.
Ready for Target Practice or Battle,
SAID lAdmral Exams

NaSdslena Rav Lower California. March Il toy
United States cruiser Buffalo 10 san Diego al
March Isl.-Ready for immediate action IL need pe'
according the declarations of all the cofnnlanos
,.cers <-o-, rear adrnirais down. and with three
~ four feet of heavy arrnor belt showing REQ ABOVE
the blue of the waters. the batteship meet oi siN
teen vessels sailed into MaEdalena ba! 'o-t"''
- ....- exchanging courtesies With the Mexican
.,7.ho-f.ies represenfed by Governor Sanguinez oI
-. Southern T,i,isiou Of Lower California. prepared
i-nr,ediately for the annual record spring Oa se
--sr,ice which is expected TO occupy ABOUT 'iiee
weeks ., r-ra,s
-, oos - rs-- exclaimed Rear AonnHal hF.i1Is'
when the feet had come TO anchor on 'i -
-, o< NsSdslena in four divisions of four ships
.1-sasz We are ready at a moment :
hesin shooting at the targets. 10 go ou' 10 co -
erl71 a battle or TO keep on with the crulss = -
-. +b+,ks ne are not ready for tareet pid0liI< =
% 90. - ,5ov, here tomorrow and see Ana il
- +h5,ks ne can't hit the targets lei MIN N
slarc and take a look at them .,.a5
sa-,i-a1 Fvsns's health was great! Hit -
during the latter part Of the voyage l" e..
tre nilothouse Of the Connecticut whe" - ' "a
steamed through the gateway 10 % tle 20 80 -beir
NAMED there giving orders and "lIie
execution until the anchor had oeeh 80 =. m,
ADMIRAL Evans was greatly dsappoin'eu @e - ~
being able to attend the sociai -o-+s hut
~ rbe feet al various South American p " 80.
= a.cls-ed to-day while sitting on 'Ie 60
bridge or his flagship. that ne eNIee
ashore at all Of the California ports
Of MaSualend AAiAN-'' 0
,< : wonderful boom. is still a uhS N4as7
.-.s -, ~ .o.aI population of 40 Souls Ioui
- +he-, American 10 watch the coming o. liie
-.et wireless messages Last night too OF 'lie
near approach OF the battleshlpS' anu '' '0"
- .bsken of its tropical lethargy 10 arise ana
- both the dawn and the American ships
u-..obr,,1 On the high hills CT the arm OF land
.-bi,r down from the mainland and forming
--o-ection 10 the bag. the residents caught their
e-.t glimpse Of the leading ships just at dawn
Rear Admiral Thomas. commanding the second
squadron vent ashore 10 pay the respects of
-. commander in chief TO the Mexican officers
within the first hour after anchoring- His barge
put out from the flagship Minnesota, and in II
besides himself. were the men Of his personal
staff.
Governor Sanguinez received the Americans
e-aciously- He told them he came to Magdalena
as The personal representative OF President Diaz
70 hid the American feet welcome. Admiral
Thomas thanked the Governor cordially and told
HIN how much the American people appreciated
TIE courtesy OF the Mexican government
Governor Sanguinez returned Admiral Thomas's
call IN the afternoon and was entertained on the
Minnesota Toasts were drunk President Roose-
Welt and President Diaz AS the Governor went
over the side OF the vessel his return 10 the
shore the saluting Of the Minnesota fred
seventeen guns in his honor.
Il don't care express my personal opinion Of
the progress OF the fleet" said Admiral Evans to
the correspondents Il have opinion about the
cruise Il IS unnecessary. The facts speak for
themselves I ordered bring the Atlantic
feet MaEdalena Bay for target practice We
here I shall proba bly, go 10 the range the
Connecticut for target practice
He WAS little lighter in weight perhaps. but no
other indication OF his i'll health was ap-
parent Never for = minute had he been required
q reiinquish full command Of the vessels their
way the Pacific, and in regard this Rear
admiral Thomas authorized the following state
nent.
Admiral Evans transferred the command
Never il conTenpla ted There not
day that Admiral Evans did have full grasp
O. the duties OF supreme command.
think ! voice the opinion OI tbs whole feet
rhen I say that this has been one OF the most. if
not -ne most. remarkable and successful naval
cruises the history Of the world II ecliQSes by
far ANYTHING undertaken by the American
ever before accomplished The ships are in better
condition than when left Hampton Roads We
we're ready for battle the minute reached Mag
daleas Bay. L Is a marvellous performance. on
~ last leg the trip actually ma akIng
more miles the OF coal than when start
e This was due increased efficiency in The
engine forces and IN the firing Of the boilers.
The ba-tleships Kansas. Kentucky and Vermont
were OF the target ranges after the fleet had
come 70 anchor. setting out targets and perfecting
z--arrernents for immediate beginning OF fire
Target practice may be finished in three weeks.
The feet should leave here some time between
April and 10 probably nearer the latter date
There z1u be no battle practice. contrary 10 ex-
-erta1ion The drills always reserved until