The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-19
AMERICAN FLEET
 RESTS AT YOKOHAMA
Japanese Are Lavish In Their
 Hospitality
A RIVAL IS SPECTACULAR
Many Dinners and Other Social Func- tions Are Given in Honor of Officers and Men of the
 United States Navy.

1OkOnana, OctODef Io.-oloilh7 h7bo N- tered, but magnificent the American battleship fleet lies in the harbor. the entire assemblage making display unprecedented in the history of Yoko- hama. Shortly after the ships came to anchor the mist, which had shut out their coming, cleared and a light breeze carried away the smoke from the salut- ing guns, revealing from the shore front the lines of white American ships of war, backed by the gray of the Japanese.
 Scores of small craft chartered by individuals and associations darted in and out among the battleships, the American Asiatic association being among those to give the heartiest wei come. Two thousand school children sang the American anthem, the sound waters The ships show the effect of waters. The ships show the eect- of the tremendous battering by the waves which Is described by old officers as the worst they have ever encountered
 The Kearsarge, which got separated from the fleet, only picked up the others early this morning and is still undergoing repairs Rear Admiral Sperry said immediately after anchor ing that he was glad to arrive in Japan and that he greatly appreciated the evidences of a sincere welcome, tine ar engagements for which appeared to be perfect
 Make Formal Gall.
 The moment the fleet dropped an- chor the admirals, in formal dress, hastened from the hagships of the va rious divisions to the flagship of the fleet, the Connecticut which also was boarded by Japanese subordinate of- fieers who came to arrange details. Shortly the commander-in- chief and the other admirals, accompanied by their staffs, entered a motor boat and pro- ceeded to the flagship Mikasa, of the Japanese fleet, to pay an official call upon Vice Admiral Sir Geiro Ijuin. The Japanese admirals immediately re- turned the call Vice Admiral Ijuin resplendent with gold lace and mag nifcent decorations, was given a hearty welcome by Admiral Sperry on board the Connecticut. After a brief visit the Japanese departed. As they went down the side the Japanese flag was broken out at the main mast and the guns belch ed forth a salute.
 A short time later Francis B. Loomis. formerly the first assistant secretary of state, and now United States com missioner to the To1io exposition, ac- companied by Mrs. Loomis, John C. O'Laughlin and Mrs. OLaughlin and Acting Consul General Babbitt called upon Rear Admiral Sperry and paid their respects. They were given 15 guns as they left the ship. In the meantime visits were exchanged be- tween the captains of all the vessels. The mayor and governor also called upon the admiral.
 Mayor Gives Party.
 A garden party given by the mayor of Yokohama was attended by many of i ficers and great crowds of civilians. Everywh ere about the streets the American officers and men are treated with the greatest courtesy, being sa- luted always by the police and Japan | csc soldiers. Crowds continued to swarm the streets aDOuJ the water front all day and at nightfall magni- | fcent illuminations lit up the entire | city Electric lights and lanterns were 1 swinging everywhere and at a promi- nent point a huge design, in which the word "Welcome' was spelled with bril- | liant lights, was surrounded by hum dreds of American and Japanese flags. The lantern parade in which there were many flower floats made an inspiring | spectacle as thousands upon thous- ands of the little Japanese in quaint costumes and bright colors took part. All of the Japanese ships were lined 1 tonight in electric lights and each car ried an American flag at it's mast
 Several dinners were given this even ing in honor of the American officers, at one of which the mayor was the host and Admiral Sperry chief guest of honor. This was followed by a grand ball given by Governor Sufu of Kan gawa, at which 1900 people were pres ent During the course of his speech at the dinner, Admiral Sperry said that the object of the cruise was the de Velopment of the fleet for peaceful pur- poses. He believed that nothing was i ever likely to occur to break the tra- ditional friendship of America and l Japan. It is understood that Capt, F. B. Potter of the Vermont will take command of the second division at l Hong Kong.