Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-20
SQUADRON AT CALLAO
Preparations for a Notable
Entertainment.
ADMIRAL EVANS THANKS
Government Sends an Escort for the
American Fleet.
PERUvIANS DECLARE HOLIDAY
Admiral Thomas Has Assumed
Charge of the Battleships for
the Time.
PERUvIANS DECLARE HOLIDAY

Charge Of the Battleships for
the Time.
CALLAO. February 20. 7:f5 A.M-The
American battleship feet has just bsen
sighted of this port.
The latest wireless dispatch from the
Cor necticut says that Rear Admiral
Evans is still in poor health and that
Rear Admiral Charles M. Thomas. com
mander OF the second squadron and third
division of the fleet, has assumed charge
o< the vessels.
From an early hour this morning the
street cars coming into Callao were
crowded with passengers who are eager
to witness the arrival of the American
warships.
Voyage Uneventful.
The American warships had a successful
and uneventful passage up from Punta
Arenas They left Punta Arenas at IL
o clock at night February Z. and in col
umn formation they made their way
through the western half of the Strait of
Magellan. The torpedo boat flotflla ac-
part of the passage through the strait
they kept close to the larger vessels. but
then dropped behind and turned north TO
Smyth channel. a minor accident to the
engine Of the destroyer Lawrence made
Ii necessary for her to fall back. but she
picked up the fiotilla later in the afternoon
of February s. The destroyers entered
Smyth channel at about the Same time
that the battleships got clear OF the strait
and steamed out on the Pacific
Saturday the Sth the sky was overcast.
The weather was cold and the wind blew
squally and fresh, forcing the low-hyfng
clouds aside for occasional flashes OF bril-
liant sunshine. The snow-clad peaks on
either side of the strait made a fitting
setting to the wild weather.
Cleared the Straits.
AS the vessels steamed steadily through
the narrow confines of English Reach.
Crooked Beach and Long Reach. and
finally past the Evangelists Islands out
to the open sea. the scene was one OF
wild. rugged and picturesque beauty. One
after another the white battlashfps forged
through the deep gorge in the bleak
mountains that form the southernmost
headlands Of South America. To the north
and to the south the mountain valleys
showed glintfng glaciers. with cascades
files to the lower levels to find their way
In rushing rivulets to the sea.
AS the vessels finally cleared in safety
the last headlands and the dangerous
islands that bar the entrance to the open
ocean every man In the fleet was filled
with sense Of pride in the successful
accomplishment Of a difi1cut and danger.
GUS piece of navigation.
Once in the Pacific the fleet ran into
drizzling rain and fog. and the headIands
| q md mountains ms v1rfnur ho
trance. to the strait were quickly lost
to view.
The warships then had fog for four
days. during which time they kept in
the fifth day the weather cleared and
remained fine until the fleet steamed into
Callao bay.
The battleship feet. on its arrival at
Callao. completed the longest leg Of
its cruise up to the present time. Tho
distance from Punta Arenas to Callao is
$50 knots. a slightly gre eater distance
than from Trinidad to Rio Janeiro. From
the Peruvian port to Magdalena bay. the
fleets next stop, the distance is 3,1l2
knots. the longest run of the cruise.
In making Callao the fleet has reached
its fourth port, the others i'm order being
Trinidad. Rio and Punta Arenas, in the
Strait of Magellan. The fleet was a few
hours late in reaching the strait, was de-
layed some hours al Sandy Point and by
the salute to Valparaiso and is now
about two days behind schedule. IL was
expected that the ships would reach Cal
lao February IS. This discrepancy 10
slight under the circumstances.
Lima. the Beautiful.
To reach Callao the fleet has Travelled
almost 10000 miles. has ~eathered the dan
gerous Magellan and felt the bite of the
antarctic in summer Now the battleships
have risen 10 tropical climates again.
Callao is about 10 degrees below the eaua-
tor and longitudinally is almost due south
from New York. Callao is the seaport OF
Lima. the capital OF Peru. sheltered by
the Island of San Lorenzo. with back
ground of the lofty. snow-crested Andes.
OFF San Lorenzo is the Palominos group
of islands where there is a lighthouse
visible eighteen miles at sea.
Callao while its foundation dates back
to 1886, is a modern city in marine equip
ments. IL has very large wharves. "A
floating dock that will admit vessels or
5000 tons, and electrical cargo shifting
applianc The population is about 3e.-
900. and the port is nine miles from Lima.
where there are 10000 people. Lima lies
close the fOOtnlllS Oh the AIlucS, u
800 feet higher than Callao, and is con-
nected with the port by two steam roads.
an electric trolley line and a fine avenue
for carriages.
1t is a beautiful city. with an environ
ment of majestic scenery and enjoying a
climate Of perennial spring
Lima is famed for its handsome women.
There is a. fashionable drive. Coiumbu.
avenida, where doubtless the American
officers will review and be reviewed. Also
there will be brilliant social affairs. bull
fight or two and other celebrations in
honor Of the fleets visit. -.
Holiday Declared.
The first message from the fleet yester-
day conveyed the information that the
fleet was then 224 miles from the port. and
the second forwarded a message OF thanks
from Rear Admiral Evans. In his own
name and that Of the officers of the fleet
he expressed his appreciation of the affec-
tionate welcome by the Peruvian nation
and the president
Admiral Evans said he considered the
Peruvian escort to Cailao a great honor,
and thanked the government for its oner
10 transmit his messages to the Navy
Department al Washington. but added
that he had nothing at present To conn
municate
The government has issued a decree
making Saturday a holiday in honor Of
Washineton's birthday, and the Ameri-
elf ha pYdcrAd PertI~