Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-05-23
SAILORS PARADE
AT BELLINGHAM
ADMIRAL SPERRY IN AUTO
WILDLY CHEERED
BusINEss is SUSPENDED AND
HOLIDAY OBSERVED
Japanese and Chinese Residents Dis
charge Fireworks, and Sailors
Are Guests of Honor
at Theaters

BY Associated Press.
BELLINGHAM, Wash, May 22.-Ihe
first division of the Atlantic battleshlp
fleet today furnished the citizens OF
Bellingham one of the most interesting
spectacles in the history of the COM
munity Thirty-five hundred sailors
and marines paraded through the
principal streets to martial music De-
fore 100000 people. The day was the
browning one of Rear Admiral Sper-
RVS visit to this port
From every village, town, city and
farm in the northwest counties and
British Columbia men, women and
children began TO arrive early this
morning in special trains. steamers and
wagons, and when the parade started
the visitors outnumbered the citizens.
A spontaneous response to the spirit
was aroused when the naval bands at
the corner of Elk and Holly streets
struck up q medley of patriotic airs.
surging throng cheered for many min
utes the men in naval uniforms, who
swung through the streets in perfect
time, resembling from the reviewing
stand an undulating bed of tulips.
Admiral In Auto
There was nothing to mar the beauty
of the parade.
Clouds during the early morning
of the hour proceeded with a certainty
that merited the success it received at
the last. The sun of midday at last
beamed brightly and was reflected by
the equipment of the bands. Following
Lieutenant Radley of the national
guard of Washington and his aides ap-
peared the platoon of local police in
new uniforms. Preceded by a marine
band. came an automobile carrying
I1p In6 IN
the waiting crowds as every new
tribute was made manifest.
On Rear Admiral Sperry's right rode
Captain MacRea. Carriages containing
naval officers followed. Then came the
sailors and marines, with bands of
music interspersed. With the same
regularity which marked the forma-
ton of the many battalions the men
disbanded and again the launches were
busy going to and fro with their large
numbers of tired marchers. All day
launches were crowded carrying people
to and from the vessels.
Business Suspended
All business was suspended, and at
nightfall the streets were lined with a
tired but happy crowd of people. The
chief social event tonight was a ball
given to officers of the fleet at Fairy
land rink, where last night the enlisted
men danced with the fair daughters of
Bellingham. Fireworks were discharged
by the Japanese and Chinese residents.
At the theaters the sailormen are
guests of the city The illuminated
warships were a wonder and delight.
Early tomorrow morning, before the
citizens have awakened, anchors will
be weighed and the seven vessels of
the division will be steaming toward
Port Townsend, where the fleet will
reassemble preparatory to it's trium-
plant entry into Seattle. Although the
citizens in charge of the reception of
the sailors at the White city prepared
food for thousands of people during the
three days devoted to that purpose,
they found at an early hour last even
ing that the larders were bare. The
gigantic task of again replenisihng the
stocks caused extra labor for all the
subcommittee and all the people that
could be pressed into service during the
night. BY the time the gates were
again thrown open to the crowds at 10
o'clock this morning a large quantity
of things good for the inner man were
ready for serving.