Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-23
GREETS AMERICAN FLEET
Toasts United States, Roosevelt and
& the Warships.
ADMIRAL THOMAS RESPONDS
Says That by Bringing About Bet
ter Feeling the Nations are
Approaching Utopia.

LIMA, Peru, February 22.--A magnifi-
cent banquet was given this evening by
President Pardo in honor of Washington S
birthday to the officers of the American
| fleet Some $50 of these were present and
the occasion was made one for the dis
play of much enthusiasm and warm eX-
pressions of mutual good will.
The exposition. hall, where the banquet
was held, was beautifully decorated, with
the Stars and Stripes much in evidence.
The walls of the hall were covered with
American and Peruvian flags and coats of
arms, while thousands of blossoms lined
the tables. with dwarf palm trees thanking
the walks. Four miniature American
battleships were among the decorations
In the center of the courtyard beautiful.
fountain played, surrounded by gigantic
palm trees, on which had been set up
scores of colored electric lights.
An immense crowd in the square in
front of the exposition warmly cheered
the American officers as they arrived
In all the guests numbered about 500.
President Pardo's Speech.
The President Of Peru made an eloquent
speech in which he highly euiogized the
fleet of warships and the ability of its
navigating officers. He said:
THE arrival on our shores Of the
American warships was always looked
forward to with the greatest pleasure by
the government and cit. ZenS of Peru, a.,
1t gave an opportunity of showing tn
tone of the friendship which exists be-
tween this country and the United States.
Peruvians unite\ in extending welcome to
the American navy. Were it poss. Bile.
our welcome would be augmented by the
glorious spectacle presented il Callao of
the Star Spangled Banner waving from
the masts Of the most powerful fleet
that ever navigated the Pacific. Your
successful accomplishment of this diff
cult voyage proves the power and dis
cipiine of the American navy. which to-
day IS acknowledged throughout the en-
tire world.
with the sincere welcome the govern
ment and the people of Peru wish to eX-
press their admiration for the Justice in
spired by President Roosev alt's pol cy in
respect to the relations of the United
States with the Latin-AmeriCa an countries
and their relation between themselves.
This policy met with the utmost success
at the recent conferences at Washington.
assuring permanent peace in Contra
America
Toast to Roosevelt.
welcome to you. admirals and officers
Of the American feet Peru receives you
with hearty friendship and reminds you
that you tread friendly strands this day
when your country honors the memory
Of George Washington. founder of a
glorious independence and admirable form
of government. l ask you to join me In
these toasts: To the prosperity of the
nent President Theodore Roosevelt: that
good luck may ever accompany the fleet
under your command
Rear Admiral Thomas. who represented
Rear Admiral Evans, said in reply:
With a deep sense of the honor con-
ferred upon me / rise to acknowledge the
warm tribute paid by your excellency to
my country. the American navy and to
the fleet OF which we have the privilege
of being members. In behalf of the
COMMANDMENTS chief, who is detained by
Illness from being present, and in be-
half Of my brother officers, I return sin
cere thanks and gratitude. Rest assured
that the courtesies and the warmth of
the welcome We have received in Peru
Wan waters is appreciated in the ex-
IRENE. and the cordially of the Pruvian
government and people will be reported
to the government which l have tho
honor to represent.
"Approaching Utopia"
THE desirability Of closer intercourse
between the republic Of the north and the
sister republics in Central and South
America Is becoming daily more and
more impressed on tho minds of my coun-
trymen. This banquet tonight tends to
bring us more in touch with each other.
heightening the mutual understanding
and respect, and should prove of inn
mense advantage in widening the gates
of commercial intercourse. an object
earnestly to be desired. My fondest wish
is Pan-American solidarity. not a theo-
retical phrase, but an accomplished, liv-
ing fact.
Oscillation and ignorance produce dis
trust and suspicion. knowledge of one
another and the interchange of hosptali-
ties and close commercial Intercourse.
which go hand in hand in the march of
civilization. tend to advence us on the
road to Utopia.
."rhe American fleet lying in the hospit-
able waters of a country splendid in ira
dition will be material aid in effecting
the happy results outlined. This powerful
feet for our country's defense is ready at
all times for instant action. but today and
in the near future, let us hope the indefi-
mite future. it is u messenger of the most
desirable human objects. peace on earth
and good will to men,.
nAYraurnp Tc BRIDESMAID