Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-10
PELTED WITH FLOWERS
oakland's Cordial Reception to Of
ficers and Men,

OAKLAND. Cal. May 9.-Oakiand's re-
cepfion TO the officers and men OF the
big battleship feet began this morning
with the arrival of crowds from the sur
rounding country AS early as 8 O'Clock
this morning people stationed themselves
along the route Of the parade seeking
vantage points for the review Of the fes-
tivities.
The streets, stores and dwellings were
one mass of bunting, flags and every
every person in the crOwds waved a flag.
More than 5000 men were in the
of the military and civil pageant which
moved through the principal streets of
the city. and the jackies never received
q warmer welcome than was given them
by the citizens of Oakland as they passed
along the streets. the bands playing and
the colors flying.
The parade started promptly at 10
O oclock and was more than three hours In
passing the viewing stand, located at the
intersection of Telegraph avenue and
at Adams point. where all the jackies
were entertained by the women of Oan-
land at an elaborate barbecue dinner.
Officers Guests of Autoists.
The officers during the afternoon were
the city and were taken to points of in
terest in and about Oakland.
After the ride the official program
ceased for time and Individual officers
were given receptions at the Athenean
and the Elk clubs
Three thousand Oakland school chill
dren greeted the sailors, each child
dressed in white. waving an American
, flag. They We're massed in a body along
the line of march, and as the sailors
passed in review bombarded them with
, bouquets.
/ These the jack!es picked up and pinned
on their uniforms The flower feature
was followed out later in the day at the
Arbor Villa fete. where each orncer as
he entered the grounds was bombarded
with roses by the matronS and the maids
of Oakland
Evans Farewell Letter.
On board each of the sixteen battleships.
the six torpedo boat destroyers and the
auxilaries OF the Atlantic fleet the ad-
dress from the departing commander-in-
chief was read.
The address expressed the great regret
the admiral felt in lowing the ships and
his tiIank3 for the loyal support of the
men and officers during his long tour of
command His address In full was:
United States Atlantic Fleet. L. s =
Connecticut. flagship.
San Francisco. Cal. May ., 1908
Fleet general order NO. y.
/ Upon relinquishinR command Of the.
I United States fleet and hauling down my
flag this day aboard the L. S. S. Con-
/ necticut. flagship / desire to express to
! the officers and men of the fleet nay great
regret at leaving them and my apprecia-
/ ton of and hearty thanks for their con-
| tinuous and loyal support. II has been
source OF great satisfaction and pride
! to me to note my period of command not
| only to the number of vessels in the
! fleet steadily increase and the units be-
come more and more formidable. but to
see the steady improvement al drill.
! shooting and in everything that attends
efficiency. and especially TO witness the
! growth of that feeling of comradesnip
! and spirit which transforms "A group of
vessels into AN efficient war fleet l am
| sure that both officers and men feel this
! same pride In the great increase and eff
( ficiency in these matters. and as it has
/ been accomplished through their loyalty
! and Ze al. to them l extend my thanks for
! all that they have done.
Good Wishes for Future
/ In taking my leave Of them wish o
| say to each and every that they
/ huya my Waruesf symDathy and hao,