Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-04-16
Five Thousand OF Them and
Marines Land from Fleet and
March Through San Diego.
PROCESSION TWO MILES LONG
ROYAL Welcome Touches Hearts of the
Mcn OF the Sea, and Is
Deeply Appreciated.

san Diego, Cal, April ia parade
Of blue jackets and marines landed
from the American battleship fleet.
5000 lighting men fresh from a cruise
of more than 1000 miles-marked to-
day the ceremonies of official welcome
TO the state of California. Sixty-fou;'
companies OF sailormen in their togs
OF the sea, with wide faring trousers
reefed down in canvas legglngs, and
10 companies OF marines, soldierly and
straight formed this most notable OF
the navy's land displays. The landing
party, equipped as infantry. armed
with Krags, in light marching order
and with canteens filled. equalled an
army corps. The procession the men
OF the navy formed was more than two
miles long. They marched from the
waterfront to the city park over shree
miles OF streets canopied with dcsoIa-
tons which combined the red, white
and blue of the nation and the gold and
white of the state. san Diego took q
holiday to see the martial pageant,
and the sidewalks parallellng the as
phated roadways were crowded with
typical holiday throng. Their enthusi-
assn was explosive, the appearance of
the blue Jackets and marines calling
forth long-sustained cheering.
At the city park the sailors passed
IN review before Rear Admirals Thorn
as, SpctIy and Emery, and Gov. Gil
lett and his staff. A crowd of many
thousands of people surrounded the
grand stands. Three thousand school
children waving flags and banners were
ma directly N IF l1.A
ing stand, and their songs and cheers
Were one of the prettiest features OF
the days celebration.
Gov. Glllett, in brief speech. sup
plemented his words of welcome spoken
yesterday on the quarter deck of the
flagship Connecticut, and Rear Admiral
Charles NJ. Thomas made formal re-
Spouse in behalf of the fleet He de-
clared the celebration without the pres.
ence of Rear-Admiral Robley ID. Evans
was very much like Hamlet with Ham
let out of the play, He regretted the
absence of the commander-in-ch of
the fleet and then graciously accept
ed in his behalf golden key symbolic
al of the freedom of the city. Admiral
Thomas said:
1.-THE Governor of California and Fell
low Citizens-It Is with extreme pleas
ure that |, on behalf of the command
er-n-chief who, most unfortunately.
is not able to be with us on this inter-
esting OCCASION and on behalf of 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 brightest
gems in the brilliant crown of the
Union, our most profound thanks for
the cordial and loving welcome that
you have given to the magnificent fleet
that we have the great honor and pride
to represent
In the midst of these welcoming
ceremonies, rhere Is one sincere source
of regret to us OF the fleet, and / am
sure that ! may add to all within the
reach of my voice, and that is the en-
forced absence OF our able and respect
ed COMMUNICATIVE chief, together Win
the reason thereof.
out its chief, it is very much like pre-
senting the play OF Hamlet, with the
character of Hamlet omitted.
In opening my remarks on this oc-
casion, after addressing his excellency
the governor, | added and fellow cit-
Zens.' You little know what joy that
one expression fellow citizens gives to
the hearts of as all. and especially so
after a long journey of nearly $4,000
miles and 1t means great deal. lt
means Homecoming and the return
10 what we OF the navy invariably de-
nominate Gods own country
San Diego Is our first home port
after leaving Hampton Roads on Dec
16 last. and your royal welcome mas
indeed touched our hearts deeply yes,
very deeply, and we return to you our
most grateful thanks and appreciation.
The golden key viii he forwarded by
Admiral Thomas to Admiral Evans az
Paso Robes Hot Springs. There VIII
90 with II gold mounted ana Jewelea
naval sword presented today 10 Admir-
al Evans, through Admiral Thomas, by
the patriotic fraternities of the city,
including the Grand Army of the Re,
public the Confederate Veterans and
Spanish War Veterans. To Admirals
Thomas Sperry and Emory gold med
ais commemorative of their visit wera
presented, and there also was medal
for Capt. r. r. Ingersoll, who served
as chief of staff to Admiral Evans from
Hampton Roads TO Magdalcna bay. The