Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-10-19
THE FLEETS ARRIVAL
Was Made Sunday Morning, Amid
Most Cordial Demonstrations.

Yokohama, Oct. lS.-The American
battleship fleet dropped anchor in the
harbor at $50 O'Clock this Sunday
morning, little later than the sched-
uled time because of fog that hung
over the bay. hindering the battleships
in getting to their anchorage.
Before dawn the white American fleet
had been dimly discerned vancouver
ing off the entrance to Toxic bay, while
1C Japanese warships. in color. swung
at their anchor buoys outside the
breakwater, encircled by low purple
hills. Already Yokohama was awake,
and the streets were crowded, excited
people streaming in from the surround
ing country on foot, in rickishaws or
carriages. making their way to the wa
terfront and to the hills overlooking
the bay. to get their first glimpse of
the fleet.
From thousands of f1agstaffs and
buildings at every point in the city
fioated the stars and Stripes and the
entire lengths of miles of streets We're
almost walled with intertwined Amer
lean and Japanese emblems.
Foreigners We're in the minority in
the crowds. but wherever they ap
pnared they were treated with even
exceptional courtesy. because today, to
the japanese, all foreigners must be
Americans. many of the japanese be-
ing unable to discriminate between
Americans and those from other lands.
AS the 16 battIeships came through
the entrance to the fog-envelOped bay
they were accompanied by the Japan
ese cruisers Soya, Magami and Tatsu-
Ia. commanded by Rear Admiral Mu-
rekari.
Passing up the coast of Yokosuki the
first note of real welcome was sound
ed when fireworks salute was fired
bv the american Friends Associa
tlOn.' composed entirely of Japanese.
who had assembled at Kruikama, on
the site Of Perrv's monument.
When it came closer in. the feet was
mot by seven big ocean liners, charter
ed by the prefecture of Kanagawa, car
rying 5000 persons. including many for
eigners The air was filled with burst
ing bombs sent up from various points.
ard the roar of voices was heard even
in the city of Yokohama.
At 8.45 A. NJ. the japanese battleships
doomed a salute as the tender Yankton.
which was slightly in the lead of the
American fleet, appeared dimly around
Honmo,l point through the fog, which
soon lifted a little, ena bling a fun view
of the fleet approaching its anchorage
ground. About Is minutes later. when the
feet finally came to anchor. 1t presented
an imposing spectacle. Thirty-two great
warships occupied four long columns of
eight each, the Americans taking the
~ to- tl,a Tov
an sc Immediately behind them, and head.
ing due south.
AS soon as the feet came to anchor
reception committee and attaches of the
foreign embassies and legations and the
mayor of Yokohama put off from shore
for the flagship Connecticut American
Amba ssador O'Brien did not come down
from Toxic because under naval etiquet
he could not be present until the Anleri-
can admiral commanding the feet had
paid an official call upon him.
The ambassadors wife, however was
present, together with ladies of the en-
bassy, as we'll as Consul General Sam
mons at Seoul and Mrs. Sammons and
Secretary Jay of the American embassy.
all in an unofficial capacity as guests of
the navy.
Frank !. Loomis, head of the American
commission to the Japanese international
exposition. together with Secretary
O'Loughlin and the entire business mems
delegation from the Pacific coast now on
n visit to Japan, was present. arriving in
a special train from Toxic early in the
morning.
Every vernacular newspaper in Yoko-
hama and Toxic printed special illustrat-
ed editions this morning containing en-
thusiastic articles with reference to the
coming of the American fleet The entire
circulation of these newspapers probably
will reach one million.