The San Francisco call., 1908-05-07
MAYOR WELCOMES
CHIEF OF FLEET
Brilliant Ceremony Attends the
Visit of Reception Commit
fee to Flagship
Admiral Evans COnceals All
Trace of Suffering and
Warmly Greets Visitors

Attended with full honors and marked
throughout with the brillianey peculiar
to naval formalities was the Official
welcome given by Mayor Taylor and
the reception committee 10 Admiral
Robley d. Evans on the flagship Con-
necticut yesterday afternoon
Bands played, admirals attended by
their respective staffs in uniforms or
blue and gold were heralded with shrlu
pipings and a guard of honor spent
weary hour presenting arms. The civil
authorities, In silk hats and frock coats.
formed a somber contrast to the gilt
and sp1endor of the succession Of three
cornered hats and brilliant uniforms
Admiral Evans was unable to appear
on deck and received his admirals and
the committee in his cabin.
BY the Lord Harry I'm glad to see
you." said Mayor Taylor. shaking hands
with the doughty commander OF the
Atlantic feet
Il said 1 would be here and I ana
here" said Evans. with a laugh
EVANS GREAT FORTITUDE
In the dim light of the cabin he
did not look like a sick man, and there
was nothing in his manner to indicate
the racking pain which he was evi-
IDENTIFY suffering. He sat cross legged
throughout the interview, smoking
anu JCAAAA5 III TIC ~cAF~-N@~
tion with a vim and enthusiasm re-
markable for q man of his years and
still more remarkable for one in his
present condition
Shortly after the great fleet had come
to anchor the customs launch Hartley,
containing the reception committee.
shot out from the Official landing place
at the Mission street wharf. At the
same instant the launches bearing the
eight subordinate admiraIs left their
respective vessels and headed for the
Connecticut When the Hartley was
within hailirg distance a marine band
on deck smashed out a martial air and
continued playing until it was brought
alongside.
Mayor Taylor was the first to go on
board. He dofed his hat in accordance
with naval etiquette on reaching the
top OF the gangway and was met by
Captain Grant. The other members OF
the committee followed and were in
turn presented
PIPES RING; BANDS CRASH
The next few minutes were devoted
to a general conversation of the com
mittee and the officers on deck. pending
the arrival Of the admirals. AS each
OF the latter stepped on board the
pipes rang out. the band crashed out
march and the marine guard present
ed arms.
AO CHllIc ceremony was very OFiGT
and the members OF the committee
were ashore within an hour after they
had left to greet Evans. The admirars
cabin was banked with flowers, among
which the California poppy predomi-
mated.
I All formality was thrown to the
winds the instant the committee found
itself below decks. Dinner and lunch
con engagements were thrown right
and left and the whole developed into a
friendly social visit.
URGES PACIFIC'S NEEDS
i was very much surprised at the
crowds which came out TO welcome the
fleet said Admiral Evans. and ii gave
me great deal Of pleasure" Later
he spoke of the needs OF the Pacific
seaboard, declaring that it was
equally important the Atlantic coast
and required the presence of a strong
battleship squadron.
The only political tinge given the
conversation was when the subject Of
the four battleship bill was brought ttp.
L sincerely hope" said Evans. that
the bill win go through The addi-
ttonal vessels are necessary TO the
American navy"
The departure from the Connecticut
was similar to the arrival of the dig
nltarles- The pipes shrilled. the band
prayed, the marines presented arms and
the reception committee filed down the
gangway to hoard the launch to go
back to shore.