The Washington herald., 1908-01-23

Rio de Janciro, Jan. 22.-The ten days
stay here of the American battle ship
fleet expired to-day, and at o'clock this
afternoon anchors We're weighed and the
ships started on their ten days voyage TO
Punta Arenas, at which place they are
due 10 arrive on February l.
Tie departure Of the warships was
made the occasion of a great demonsra-
tion by the Brazilians and the American
residents Fully 100000 persons thronged
the water front, and every harbor craft
that would keep adoat was ayailed Of to
carry thousands more close to the an
chorage grounds, where a better view
was afforded of the fleet.
The hostmen probably reaped the best
harvest they have ever known. as they
charged enormous prices for the use of
their craft, of which the supply did not
equal the demand. Some of the small
boats were loaded to their gUnwales
and it is a great wonder that i'm the crush
and excitement some of them did not cap
size.
President Penua came down from Pc
tropol.s this morning. and at noon he
crossed the bay i'm the PresidenuaI yacht
proceeding to the Minnesota the flagship
OF Rear Admiral Thomas. who commands
lhe second squadron of the third division
of tie fleet. and who, owing 10 Rear Ad-
miral Evans illness. has acted I'm the lat
ter's stead at the official functions.
salute President Penna.
All the vessels of the feet saluted the
dressed I'm honor of his visit The presf-
Dental yacht saluted the Minnesota only
Rear Admiral Thomas personally. re-
celved President Penna as he boarded
tine flagship. The visit lasted twenty
minutes
The president expressed his regret that
Admiral Evans had not been able 70
attend the entertainments given i'm honor
of the visiting Americans, he. on the
part Of himself, the members of his
cabinet. and the Brazilian people wished
The fleet bon voyage. and reiterated his
expressions of c0rdiality Of the United
States
After bidding farewell go the officers.
Senior Penua boarded his yacht and pro-
ceeded to Fort Villegaguon. where ne
and his party reviewed the fleet as il
passed ont 20 sea. The fleet sailed IN
Inverse order Of divisions from which IL
entered the harbor. AS each ship passed
Fort Vilegaguon. it fired salute in
honor Of President Peuna, and the rails
were manned. The flag of Brazil was
displayed at the mainmast-head of every
ship
Escort Out Battle Ships.
Sixteen Brazilian warships Followed the
American vessels. and escorted them for
about twenty-five miles. Then farewell.
saIutes were exchanged after which the
Brazilian vessels shaped their courses for
various destinations. Some of them are
bound for Bueuos Ayres. while the
cruiser Benjamin Constant started on a
far longer voyage, she being bound
around the world.
A large number of the more speedy and
seaworthy harbor craft followed the pro-
cession of warships we'll past the mouth
Of the harbor and then lay TO and
watched them until they were almost
hull down on the southern horizon.
Altogether the departure Of the fleet
was a most imposing spectacle, and one
which the people OF Rio de Janeiro viii
not soon forget. There are many who be
lieve it was a greater spectacle than
that seen in Hampton Roads when the
fleet started on its long voyage for here.
The combined American and Brazilian
Earships numbered thlrty-two, Just twice
the number that sailed from the Amer
lean port.
Admiral Evans has cabled the Navy De
partment that the battle-ship fleet sailed
yesterday from Rio de Janeiro for Punta
Arenas The torpedo houlla sailed from
Rio Tuesday for Buenos Ayres. The
collier Sterling has sailed from Rio for
Hampton Roads by way of San Juan,
Porto RiCa