Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-02-21
Thousands Of Peruvians
Extend Hearty Greetings.
A Ten days Series Of Enter
taiDment Is Planned.
Pleasant Voyage From Punto Arenas
...Eyans Is Still III.

looking clean. trim and powerful in
the tropical sun, came 20 anchor IN
this port soon after O'Clock this
morning The booming salutes an
nounced the arrival of the fleet. but
there was no need to send out the sig
malls, for every resident of Callao and
great crowds from Lima, which stands
back on the hills, had awaited with
expectancy the first glimpse Of the
advancing column
CaIlao was in holiday array, wishing
to show that Peruvian hospitality was
second to none in South America and
many thousands viewed from the
wharves, the headlands and the ships
in the harbor the imposing scene. En-
thusiastic crowds went down the bay
on excursion steamers and cheered the
American men-of-war.
The Peruvian cruiser Coronel Bolog-
nesi. bearing the first official welcome
to the feet. joined the American YES
sells yesterday morning $50 miles to
the southwark, having the day before
exchanged greetings by wireless with
tho Connecticut and acted as an es-
cort up the coast She led the way into
the harbor this morning. with the flag
shin of the fleet close beside her and
soon the sound Of guns gave notice
that the American sailors were the re-
public's guests.
Tire only regretabe feature of the
entertainments arranged in honor Of
tie visitors is the fact that Rear Adj
mlral Evans will not be able to at
tend. Today Admiral Evans, who has
been suffering almost from the begin
ming Of the voyage from rheumatism
was slightly better. but as vet he does
not feel that he should risk the dam
ger of coming ashore. Rear Admiral
Charles NJ. Thomas. commander Of the
second squadron. will represent him at
the official ceremonies attendant upon
the visit. but Rear Admiral Evans is
still the commander Of the fleet.
The batt,eships will remain here prob.
ably for 10 days and will ha Joined ht tia
torpedo boat fiotilla near the close OF
the visit Mt Callao. Arrangements hive
been made for festivities of all kinds
intending a bull fight. which not less
than 5000 OF the blue Jackets will see. and
regatta for which preparations have
been going on for several weeks. Presi-
dent Pardn will give a public reception
to the officers tomorrow afternoon and
Washington's birthday will be made a
gala occasion.
Tho American warships had a success
full passage up from Punta Arenas. They
left Punta Arenas at II p. M. Feb and
in column formation passed through the
western half of the Strait of Magellan
The torpedo boat fiotila accompanied
them. For the first 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 de-
stroyer Lawrence caused her TO fall back |
but she picked up the fotila Feb s. The |
destroyers entered Smyth Channel AT
about the same time that the battlevnine |
got clear Of the strait and steamed out
onto the Pacific.
Az the vessels finally cleared IN safety
the last headlands and dangerous islands
that bar the entrance to the open ocean.
every man In tho fleet was filled with a
sense OF pride IN the successful accom-,
pllshmcnt Of a dangerous piece Of nav.
cation. Once in the Pacific the feet ran
Into drlazllng rain and fog.
Tho warshlps then had for for four
days. during which time they kept In
touch by their Whistles On tho afth dav
the weather cleared and remained fine
untn the feet steamed into Callao this
morning under warm tropical sun.
Tho Gillian cruiser Cracahuco with |
Admiral Simpson of the Chilan navy.
John Hicks. the American minister to
Chilli. and a CHILEAN delegation of wei. |
come on board. came out of Punta Are
mas with the American vessels and ac-
companied them until Feb II. when she
put into Talcahuano to report She re-
turned and joined the fleet on the eth |
accompanied by three CHILEAN torpedo |
boats. the Captain Thomson, the Capl- |
tan Monozgambrera and the Captain
OBrfen. These four vessels escorted the
Heet to Valparaiso. which port was made
on the 14th. There the warships were
reviewed by President Montt of Chilli in
response to an urgent request from the
CHILEAN officials
On the morning of Feb l. the fleet
was or Coquimbo. Chill. and here the
Neorle also crowded the headlands to
witness the passing of the vessels and
'ive expressions of their welcome. From
Coqutmbo the vessels headed direct for
Callao.
On the morning of Feb. Is a wireless
message announced the presence of the
peruvian cruiser Coronet Bologncsi and |
extended the welcome of the Peruvian
government and the people. The Corone,
'aoloSnesi escorted the feet into Callao
having Joined the American vessels dur.
ing the morning of the 18th
The Peruvian cruiser Almirante Graz
vas In Callso when the American ves-
els entered this morning at s O'Clock
ana the usual salutes were exchanged
The hearts of the officers and then men
f the fleet We're made glad soor after
he arrival of the ships here. for the ss7
aail bags containing messages from
ONE were Immediately put on board for
istribution. kilograms to the number
# 80 were also distributed
NO OFFICIAL NEWS