The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-03-17


movement two squadrons were formed.
These again were shifted into one column
OF sixteen ships proceeding wing TO wing.
The colors were hoisted at the gan and
the Argentinas showed their beautiful
blue and white ensignS.
"OverhauIed" by the ArEentinas.
Soon the Argentinas were observed 10
put or more speed. The naval day begins
at s o'clock in the morning. No greet
ings would be passed before that time.
The Argentine ships kept creeping Up.
and when the first passed the Kentucky
the last ship in our column. to starboard.
it was seen that her rails were manned.
The Argentine ships were in war color.
dark olive green. The crews were IN
white. Our crews had been shifted 10
blue in the chilly blow OF the day before,
but our ships were white.
Up along the line came the Argentinas.
Every ship had received "A signal to pay
the usual honors. Marine guards were
drawn up the crews were at attention.
the bands on our ships played the Argen-
tine national hymn, and the bands on the
four Argentine vessels played ours. Sixty
four times the national air of each coun-
try was played as the Argentinas slowly
forged ahead Many OF the officers had
got out the naval books TO recognize the
ships Of the visitors, as they might be
called. Most Of the officers made them
out correctly. They were two armored
cruisers of the Cristobal Colon class. and
two protected cruisers They were the
San Martin Buenos Aires. Pueyrredon.
and de Julio and they made a smart
show, each having a bone in her teeth.
They were at intervals OF 1000 yards, and
they kept the intervals as accurately as
American ships would have done. and
that is saying a great deal. as any one
into a foreign harbor.
Seventeen Guns for Evans.
The san Martin had passed the Louis
lana and Vermont and was abreast OF the
Kansas and just behind the Connecticut
anc about a thousand yards 10 the west
ward when up went the American en-
sign. Il was a beautiful new flag. and
the bright sun lit up its folds gloriously.
The ensign could scarcely have looked
better upon old Ironsides. Then a gun
barked out the first detonation OF the sa-
Lutte One by one the guns were counted
Thirteen roared out. Then came another
flash and report.
Hello! They're going to follow the
Brazilians' example and give Admiral
Evans a vice admirals salute" was the
comment.
Fifteen guns sounded and then came
another flash and boom. Then there was
another, and then they stopped. Well,
The Americans were surprised. An adml-
rails salute,
They do things in their own way down
here. was the comment. and to this was
added invariably: wish il was really
true for it must be recorded here in a
spirit Of accuracy that there is not an off,
Ger or sailor or marine on this feet who,
if he had his way. would not make Admit
raj Evans not only vice but full admit
raj
Gun for Gun in Reply.
The Connecticut responded to the salute
gun for gun. as was quite proper as naval
things go. The salute from the San Martin
had scarcely ceased before the men on the
Argentine ships broke into cheering. and
well they might for they were looking
upon naval spectacle such as few other
navies have ever seen.
The San Martin crept up beside the
Connecticut. forged ahead. and then the
Connecticut, with the Argentine ensign
at the main. fired the usual salute to the
flag of another country upon the high
seas. II made the men familiar with the
etiquette of salutes jump 1t was thrilling
to them The San Martin answered quick
ly, and the exchange of courtesies with
guns and bands and manning of rails was
ended. But not all the exchange was
over. The wireless keys were ticking now
and a further exchange of good wishes
for pleasant trips followed
Then the Argentine ships sheered off.
They did II most politely. Although their
destination was more than 800 miles TO
the rear. they turned a right oblique. the
movement being done in a way that ex-
cited the admiration of the Americans.
and went of in the same general direction
In which our feet was travelling.
Don't want 20 turn their backs on
us!' was the explanation given In to-
ward the coast they went, and not until
they were nearly hull down did they turn
about and head for home II was a pretty
compliment from most polite men on ex-
tremely smart ships
Small, but Real Navy.
That's a real navyl" said the Ameri-
cans. ''even If it is small"
All that day and the day following the
high-seas greeting of the Argentinas the