Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-04-16
SAN DIEGO WITNESSES FINE PARADE
Sixty Companies of Sailors and six
teen of Marines March Through the
canopied strceta of the California
rown-AdmlraI Thomas Makes an
Admirable Speech.
CBy Associated press)

|. SAN DIEGO. CAL. April ia
parade of blue jackets and marines
landed from the American hattleshp
iicct. 5000 flghiing men fresh from a
cruise of more than 10000 miles, to.
day marked the ceremonies OF wei.
come To the state of California. Six
~ companies of sailors In their toys
OF sen aud sixteen companies of ma.
rines formed this most notable of The
lnavy's land displays. TIL, proces
sion thnt the men OF the navy formed
was more than TWO miles long. They
marched from the water front to the
city park over three miles of streets
occupied with decorations which com
bined the red. white and blue of tho
nation and the gold ana white of the
state SanDicgo took n holiday to see
the martial pageant and the sidewalks
paralclling the asphaltcd roadways
were crowded.
The enthusiasm of the vast throng
was explosive, the appearance of the
blue jackets and marines calling forth
long sustained cheering.
AT the City Park the sniIors passed
III review before Rear Admirals
rhomas, Sperry ana Emery and Gov.
ernor Gillette ana his stan Three
thonsnnd school children waving ban-
ners were massed directly in front of
the reviewing stand md their SONGS
were one OF the prcttlest features OF
the days program.
Admiral Thomas Responds for Fleet.
Governor Gillette in lref speech
supplemented his words or welcome
spoken yesterday on the Connecticut
and Rear Admiral Thomas made for
NAL response. saying In part: at IL
with extreme pleasure. that I, on be.
/ half of Rear Admiral Evans. who is
unfortunately unable to be present on
This occasion, and on behalf or my
! brother officers of the fleet. return TO
You, sir. as the chief magistrate of
this imperial state of California. the
golden state. and one Of the hrlghtest
, gems In the brilliant crown on the
union. Our most profound thanks Tor
the cordial and loyal welcome that
mas been given the magnificent fleet
that we have the honor to represent
I'm the midst of the welcoming
ceremonies there is one sincere source
| OF regret to us of the feet and. am
sure that ! may add. to all within
The reach of my voice. and that Is the
enforced absence of orr able and
/ respected commander inchief. to.
ge'her With the reason thereof.
In Gods Country Again
I'm opening my remarks on this
occasion. after addressing his excel
lency. the governor. ! added and fel.
low citizens. You little know what
joy that one expression fellow citi-
! zens' gives TO the hearts of us all
and especially after so long a Journey
of nearly 14.000 miles. and II means
n great deal. II means home com
ing and the return to what we of the
navy invariably denominate Gods
own country
San Diego is orr first home port
after leaving Hampton Roads on De,
cember 16 and your royal welcome
has touched our hearts deeply. yes
deeply. and We return to you our most
grateful thanks and appreciation"
Sword and Key for Evans.
Admiral Thomas then graciously &c.
, copied. in Admiral Evans behalf a
golden key. symbolical of the freedom
of the city. The key will be sent
10 Admiral Evans. There will 60
with 1t gold mounted and ieweled
naval sword presented today to Ad
miral Evans through Admiral Thomas
by the patriotic fraternites of the
cities including the Grand Army OF
the Republic. the Confederate. Vet
Grams and Spanish War Veterans.
To Admirals Thomas. Sperry and
Emery gold medals commemorative
lof their visits. were presented and
there also was n medal for Captain
II. Il. lngersoli, who served as chic!
of staff to Admiral Evans from Hamp-
ton Roads TO Magdalena bay.
The medal will be sent to Captain
lngersoll at Norfolk
Tonight ball was rendered to the
admirals and to the officers OF the
fleet ut the hotel De Coronado.