The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-29
From the Boston Globe.

From the Boston Globe.
 ~HE doings of the officers and men
 (0 of the American battlesnip nee'
 in the Pacific are being Watcneo with feelings of mingled pride anu sa'ie- faction by their countrymen.
 1t Is now about five months since 'ie fleet left Hampton Roads, carrying l4'VoV men. The cost of the vessels aggregates over s1O0.OOo, 900. The ships have traverseo rearlv 15.OOo miles, and their crews are now being entertained royalty by the res ddents of San Francisco. Everything per taining to the voyage up to date 1uiiy i,stifies the naval programme that was nlanned by President Roosevelt
 rbere are several features of this grand naval demonstration desereing of speciai mention, for they will be remempereo long after the voyage has ended
 Tn the first place, whenever in any country large number of war vessels leave home to visit other ports there IS talk heard concerning the riotous times the men will have when they secure shore leave. In the present case, however all renorts relative to the conduct of our sea- me, in the South American and other nor+s visited are particularly gratifying.
 As a matter of fact, the reports nave been highly complimentary. For example, the fleet commander received letter from the British governor in Port or Spain saying:
 .J would ask to be allowed to offer my congratulations on the good behavior of your men on leave. A residence or seven years in Gibraltar, which Is ren- aezyous of the fleets of the world. has e,,ven me some experience of Jack ashore, and I can assert that your men have es- abolished reputation which would be hard to equal and impossible to excel
 In several ports at first as many as 1000 men went ashore at a time, then 20O0 and subsequently, 5000, with results so satisfactory to all parties concerned that record for good behavior was estab- lshed by American seamen which 1t will be difficult for any other group of sea men to equal.
 Those unacauanted with life on board ship, and particularly on naval craft, will rot appreciate this superior conduct so highly as will those familiar with the discipline sailor must experience The behavior of these men demonstrates they are cognizant of what constitutes tneir duty to the navy, both afioat and on shore Moreover, if they had not been well treated they would not so cheerfully obey orders.
 It is highly complimentary to their su- perior officers also to have such favor- able reports made by outsiders conern- ing the men. When foreign fleets have visited American ports it has been com mon to hear of scores of desertions by sailors, but the American armada is hap billy exempt from such an experience.
 A second cause for qualification has been the behavior of the 'battleshps dur ing the long and trying voyage. In spite of all the criticisms which have appeared in magazine articles concerning the sea- going qualities of the vessels, they have arrived on the Pacific coast in good fighting condition. During the voyage theys have been frequently shrouded in thick fog, relying on signals to learn their rela tive positions, and after the fog has lifted 1t has been discovered that they were sailing in proper alignment. This proved that the seamanship had been arst-class, and was creditable alike to officers and men.
 | A third cause for qualification is the warmth of the receptions received in the different ports visited. The cordiality has been sincere. Even places not visited have sent naval vessels many miles to