Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-20
FOG CURTAIN ROLLS AWAY
TOM0RR0Ws TO BE BIG DAY

Then O1ucial Landing Will Be Made
and Reception Pulled of-sailors
All Enthusiastic.
SYDNEY. n. s. w. August 2l-The
first day of the sojourn of the American
bsttleships at Sydney has passed, and
while there have been comparatively few
official functions-tomorrow being set
aside for the public reception and the
official landing-the spirit of cordialty and
whole-hearted welcome which fills the
people of this city has found opportun-
ity for expression in several ways. Num-
berless barbOr craft have circled all day
long around the white battleships anchored
in the bay. and the shores and headlands
were crowded until late this afternoon by
thousands of interested spectators.
This afternoon the admirals of the fleet
and the captains of the various battle
ships came ashore and called officially
upon Lord Northcote. governor general of
Australia and Sir Harry Rawson. gov
ernor of New South Wales The American
officers were saluted upon landing. Later
the governor returned this official call
and was in his turn sauted by the Ameri-
can feet.
In Honor of Fleet Officers.
This evening Lord Nothcote gave a din
ner In honor of the American officers.
There were present thirty-six Americans,
including the admrals and captains. as
admiral: ministers of the state and Of the
commonwealth and number OF Judges
and local naval and military officers OF
high rank.
AS darkness came down this evening the
" ed .
city and harbor also were Illuminated.
but not as completely as they will be
later.
The entire population is given over to
holiday making.
The feet paymasters today drew $500,
ono from the Sydney banks.
Early this morning a thin veil Of smoke
on the horizon signaled to the watchers
on the coast the approach of the Amer
lean warships and at 5:3j o'clock official
notification was sent out that the feet
had been sighted.
Throngs at Water Front.
1t was yet twenty miles outside of Sgd
ney harbor. but this word which had
been awaited eagerly by tens of thou
sands, stirred Australians like call to
arms. and almost instantly those who
had not already left the city to take UP
points of vantage along the bay were
moving in droves to line the Quays. the
front to watch the coming of the guard
ships Of the world.
The day broke bright and clear. and
so intense was the interest in the Amer
lean ships of war that half the populace
remained awake all night. and thousands
and thousands of them long before the
night was over We're on their way TO the
hilltops outside of the city limits: where
they congregated, seemingly IN unbroken
lines. along the coast from Bondi Beach
to Manly. i
Half a Million People.
1t is estimated that hardly less than
half million people assembled to give
the visitors royal welcome. Sydney
harbor. with its innumerable bays. coves
and branches, never looked more beau
tiful. nor did the American sailors ever
witness a more inspiring sight than that
which met their eyes as the white ships
came through the channel past the great
headlands into Port Jackson.
A hundred thousand people, the greatest
single assemblage of all, gathered on the
south heads. where a ma snificent view OF
the whole scene was TO be had. Hun
dreds OF craft OF all kinds moved up and
down. and even at that early hour all the
waters. with the exception of the fairway
and the anchorases. were dotted with
little and big vessels decorated in every
conceivable manner with flags and bunt-
ing.
Ships Roll in Heavy Sea-
The feet left Auckland at SIS Satur-
day morning. and. with the exception of
one day. had fair weather all the way
to Sydney. Tuesday the warstips en-
countered heavy winds, which threw up
stiff head sea. greatly retarding their
progress. Throughout Tuesday night
the high seas caused the larger of the
ships to roll at least twenty degrees,
while the auxiliaries suffered even more
severely There was considerable dis
comfort for all the men. and the inter-
walls between the vessels were increased
TO so yards. The formation. however.
was not changed. No evoutions were
weather during this period. but this
abated the following day. when the ships
were about 100 miles from port.
Speed was then increased to twelve
knots. and although the hospital ship
Relief was left behind. the others reached
the coast on schedule time. the America ms
as anxious as the Australians TO partici-
pate in the receptions and the fetes which
the latter have prepared for them.
Sight Is Inspiring.
In perfect alignment. the flagship Con-
necticut leading. with Rear Admiral
Sperry on the bridge, the warships came
out of the horizon, first little smoke
showing. and then the bulls. low down
in the distance.
Passing IN through the sydney neadS
in double column. at intervals of 400
yards. the ships looked 10 have world
of speed and power under their glistening
sides. The fleet was attended by convoy
steamers. and was greeted with roar
OF salutes from the forts. il steamed
slowly along The thousands ashore and
ahoat added their cheers to swell the
noisy welcome and countless British and
American flags were flung to the breeze
and were still waving long after the an
chors had been swung from the sides.
The American ships doomed forth sa-
lutte TO the port. and soon as they were
safely moored at their anchorage official
visits were exchanged.
Glides From the Gloom.
For a portion of the latter part of the
voyage, when only within few miles
of Sydney. thick haze set in. which,
although it lifted at times necessitated
slow speed in coming up to the Heads.
About 10 o'clock. however. the feet ma
jestically giided out of the gloom and the
South Head station sent up a signal of
welcome. The Connecticut led the fleet,