The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-01-13
 FLEET ARRIVES AT RIO JANEIR0 Greeted With Most Cor
 dial Welcome. WAS A BEAUTIFUL SPECTACLE German Cruiser and Brazilian
 Warships Fire Salute.
WAS A BEAUTIFUL SPECTACLE
City Was Beautifully illuminated Last Night And . Gala Oc- casion Has Been Made in
 Honor of Visitors.

port of Rio Janeiro at o'clock tnis afternoon, after passage from fort of Spain, Trinidad, more than three thousand miles, unmarred by serious accident. replete with interesting in- cidents and ending with royal well come from the thousands that haa gathered to greet the visitors.
 The fleet weighed anchor at o'clock on the afternoon of December 2s at Port of spain and exactly at 1 o'clock today, the vessels were swing ing at their anchors in this beautifuI harbor. All of the battleships are here, but the supply ships Culgoa and Glacier are still at sea- not having 10 keep along with the otpers The meet has now covered about 4,e00 miles, about one-third. the distance of the voyage to San Francisco.
 Early in the morning the crowds be- gan to gather in the streets of Rio Janeiro. and long before the signal flags were hoisted announcing the app proach of the American ships of war, thousands of curious spectators had taken up the points of vantage on public buildings and the elevated quays. Then the fleet steamed into the harbor, under the splendid noun tains that frame the bay. beautiful in the tropical sun, it was a spectacle incomparable to the eye.
 Fleet Ia Cheered.
 The word that the fleet had passed Cape Foye, about forty-five miles out was received at s:35 o'clock and im- mediately scores of tugs and other small craft crowded with spectators set out to meet the visitors and accom- panied them to the anchorage.' Out lined against the horizon the great bat tleships, stretched out in one long line. came slowly through the passage Into the bay. The Connecticut Rear Ad- miral Evans flagship, was in the lead with the Brazilian cruisers, dressed in gala attire on either side. Passing the fortress. the Connecticut fired Q eaante of twehtysone guns, whHch was, responded to by the Hfa,siiIan warshibs. the German cruiser Bremen ana the shore guns. The yards and lighting tops were manned and cheers upon cheers were given for the splendid passage ot the flagship and her sister ship.
 As soon as the anchorage was made. the Brazilian minister of Marine. Ad- miral Alencar. the captain of the port. the American consul G. F. Anderson, the commandants of naval divisions and the civic authorities went on board the Connecticut and entended a hearty welcome to Rear Admiral Evans. his officers and men. Not less than 15.0O0 to 10000 persons were aboard "a ese boats and more than b0,000 others were gathered on shore to celebrate the coming of the fleet Tonight the city is beautifully illuminated and gala occasion has been made in honor of the visitors.
 All the way down from Port of Spain. tho voyage was an enjoyable one ana all on board the ships were we'll and seemingly happy. To some extent the progress of the fleet was hampered by the strong currents and the swell. poor coal, and minor Arrangements of the auxiliary machinery of several Of the ships. Until Friday the 10th. an uniform speed of ten knots was main tained. The speed was then increased to eleven knots and finally to twelve.
 Father Neptune's Visit.
 At midnight on the fifth, the fleet crossed the equator and Father Nep- tune visited the ships. On the flagship Connecticut, Neptune surrounded by his various assistants and satellites. addressed warm welcome to the ad- miral. in command. Never before had so many recruits crossed the line at one time, numbering fully ninety per cent of the crews. The great number of green hands gave Father Neptune
 
 ity to put them through the initiation with inimitable spirit. Neptune's flag hung at the yard arms during the cere- monies All the newspaper correspon- dents on the vessels paid the footing with the older officers and number of midshipmen who took the initiation.
 Early on Friday morning, a false alarm of man overheard was sent out from the Missouri, which brought the fleet to quick stop and boats were lowered. It was an excellent drill and we'll performed. On the night of the same day, brig showing no lights entered the column and caused oreak in the formation. A serious accident was averted only by the skillful hano- ling of the warships.
 Outside of Rio Janerio. a Brazilian fleet consisting of three cruisers. ac- commanded by the American tender Yankton, met the American battleships of Cane Eric and after an exchange of greetings, steamed with them along the coast and into the roadstead.
 Beautiful RiO JaneirO.
 In view of the interest in the nroFress of the American fleet around South America and it's presence in the harbor of Rio Janeiro. city about which little is generally known in the United States, the Director or the International Bureau of American Re- publics. MT. John Barrett, who has visited Rio Janefro many times while minister to different South American countries. has prepared the following statement:
 Rio Janeiro. where our fleet Is spend ing ten days, is one of the most beauti- fui, interesting, and progressive cities of the world It has a population and commerce that entitle 1t to first rank as a capital and metropolis. Its great size it's varied attractions. and it's modern characteristics are not general ly known and appreciated in the United states because 1t Is out of the usual route of travel abroad.
 The thousands of American officers and sailors. who are aboard our ships and who have not before visited South America, will be surprised at the magnitude and progress of this Brazilian city. and will be deeply