Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-10-20
AMERICAN SHIPS
GREETED BY JAPS
DUPLICATE SQUADRON MEETS
FLEET AT YOKOHAMA AND OFF
GERS EXCHANGE visiTs-WARM
WELCOME FROM PEOPLE.

ne united states DaItleSnlp
Maine, after making a circuit Of
the globe, arrived at Portsmouth
harbor at o'clock today. The
battleship thus ended, together
with the battleship Alabama,
which is expected to arrive at the
New York navy yard tomorrow,
the most spectacular around the
world cruise ever made by first
class modern warship. During the
voyage which started from Hamp-
ton Roads and which consumed
30S days, the two vessels covered
about thirty-five thousand miles.
Yokohama, Oct. 10. - The Ameri:
can battleship fleet arrived here at 10
O'Clock Sunday morning The Ameri-
cans were matched, ship for ship, by
the Japanese, and after the visitors
had entered the bay the vessels were
anchored in double lines.
The Keersarge rejoined the feet at
daylight yesterday morning. Seven
large merchant steamers. crowded tc
| the gtItwa1es went down the bay to
meet the Americans and the harbor
was filled with small craft Of every
description. Decorations were every,
where, ashore and afioat. in every di
rection; the Japanese were eager to
show good will to their guests. There
was great display of day fireworks
of all sorts and designs. The streets
were iammed with thousands Of ma
tives, many Of whom had come from
distance.
Hiuh Officials Paw Visit
The customary formal calls were
made by Vice Admiral Baron Iiuin
commanding the reception squadron
and by Rear Admiral Sperry and by
the civil officials. In the afternoon q
garden party was given in honor ol
| the visitors by the municipality at the
! cricket grounds, to which, in addition
to the naval officers, a large number
of Americans resident here were in
yited. About 500 guests were present.
The ships show the effect Of the
tremendous battering of the waves
which is described by old officers as
| the worst they ever have encounter
ed. The Kearsarge, which got separat
ed from the fleet, only met the others
early in the morning and is still un
|dergoing repairs. Rear Admiral Sper
| rv said Immediately after anchorinG
that he was glad to arrive in japan
and that he greatly appreciated the
evidences of a sincere welcome. the
arrangements for which appeared tt
be perfect.
| Mayor and Governor Board Ship.
The mayor and governor also called
upon the admiral and later the recep
tion committee. the spokesman o
which was M. Mate. boarded the Con
necticut and bade the admiral and hi
men welcome in behalf Of the entir,
nation. He thanked the Americana
| for their evidences Of friendship ant
regard, to which Admiral Sperry re
sponded In similar vein.
Everywhere about the streets tn,
American officers and men are treatet
with the greatest courtesy, being sa
luted always by the police and Japan
| ese soldiers.
Sperry Sees Long Term of Peace.
/ Several dinners were given las
evening in honor Of the American OF
ficers, at one of which the mavor wa
the host and Admiral Sperry the chic
guest of honor During his speech a
the dinner Admiral Sperry said tha
he believed nothing was ever likel,
to occur to break the traditiona
| friendship of America and Japan
IT is understood that Capt w. T
Potter of the Vermont will take CON
mand of the second division at Hone
kong.