The Mena weekly star., 1908-10-22
SHIPS ARE IN JAPAN
AMERICAN BATTLESHlP FLEET RECEIVES WARM WELCOME
 IN JAPANESE WATERS.
SHOW EVIDENCE OF SEVERE STORMS
Cannon Sound Hearty Welcome-Flee' Met By Scores of Small Craft-Jar anese Children Sing "America"- American Seamen Treated With Uni. form Courtesy.

Yokohama, Oct 20.-Storm-b battered, hut magnificent, the American battle. ship fleet lies in the harbor, the entire assemblage making a dis. play unprecedented in the history of Yokohama. Shortly after the ships eame to anchor, the mist, which had shut out their coming, cleared and a fight breeze carried away the smoke rom the saluting guns, revealing from the shore front the lines of white American ships of war, backed by the gray of the Japanese. Scores of small craft chartered by individuals and as sociations darted in and out among the battleships, the American Asiatic association being among those to give the heartiest welcome. Two thousand school children sang the American national anthem, the sound of the singing reaching far over the waters.
 The ships show the effect of the tremendous battering of the waves which is described by old officers as the worst they have ever encountered. The Kearsarge, which got separated from the fleet, only picked up thu oth. CTS early Sunday morning and is still undergoing repairs. Rear Admiral Sperry said immediately after anchor ing that he was glad to arrive in Japan, and that he greatly appreci. ated the evidences of a sincere wei come. the arrangements for which ap- peared to be perfect Commander John A. Dougherty, the American naval attache at Tokyo, who came here to take part in the welcome to the fleet, boarded the Connecticut Sunday morning and discussed the program with the admiral.
 The moment the fleet dropped anchor the admirals in formal dress hastened from the fagships of the various divisions to the flagship of the fleet, the Connecticut, which also was boarded by Japanese subordinate officers who came to arrange details. Shortly after the commander-in-chief and the other admirals accompanied by their staffs entered a motor boat and proceeded to the flagship Mikasa of the Japanese fleet to pay ar off cial call upon Vice Admiral Sir Gero ljuln. The Japanese admirals imme- diately returned the call. Vice Ad- miral Ijuin resplendent with gold lace and magnificent decorations, was given a hearty welcome by Admiral Sperry on board of the Connecticut. After a brief visit the Japanese de- parted and as they went down the side, the Japanese flag was broken out at the mainmast and the guns belched forth salute.
 Everywhere about the streets the American officers and men are treated with the greatest courtesy, being sa- luted always by the police and Ja- panese soldiers.
 Crowds continued to swarm the streets about the water front all day, and at nightfall magnificent illumina- tons lighted the entire city. Elec- tric lights and lanterns were swinging everywhere. and at prominent point a huge design, in which the word welcome" was spelled with brilliant lights. was surrounded by hundreds Of American and Japanese flags. The lantern parade in which there were many flower floats, made an inspiring spectacle as thousands upon thousands of the little Japanese fin quaint cos tunes and bright colors took part.
 All of the Japanese ships were out lined Sunday night in electric lights and each carried an American flag ai It's main mast