New-York tribune., 1908-02-21
FLEET REACHES CALLAO
ADMIRAL EVANS I'LL.
PeruUianS GiUe Harm UeIcOme to
american BattlfshipS.

Caao, Feb 20-The American battieshtps
under Rear Admiral Evans, looking clean and
trim and powerful in the tropical sun, came
to anchor in this port soon after o'clock this
morning
The booming of salutes announced the arrival
OF the fleet. but there was no need to send out
signals. for every resident of Callao and great
crowds from Lima. that stands back on the hills,
had awaited with expectancy the first glimpse
of the advancing column.
CaIao 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. Enthusiastic
crowds went down the bay excursion steam
ers and cheered the American men-of-war
The Peruvian cruiser Colonel BoIognes bear
ing the first official welcome to the fleet, Joined
the American vessels yesterday morning two
hundred I'd fifty miles to the southwark. hav-
ing the day before exchanged greetings ny wire
less with the Connecticut, and acted as an
escort UP the coast. She led the way into the
harbor this morning. with the flagship of the
fleet close beside, and the sound of guns
gave notice that the American sailors were
the republics guests
The only regrettable feature of the entertain
ments arranged in honor of the visitors is the
fact that the commander himself Rear Ad-
mral Evans, will not be able to attend. 1t was
stated to-day that Admiral Evans, who has been
suffering almost from the beginning of the voy-
age from rheumatism. slightly better. but
yet he does feel that he should risk the
danger of going ashore Rear Admiral Charles
NJ. Thomas. commander of the second squadron,
will represent him at the official ceremonies at
tendant upon the visit, but Rear Admiral Evans
is still the commander of the fleet
The battleships will remain here probably for
ten days and will be joined by the torpedo boat
ffOtiIIa near the close of their stay at Callao.
Arrangements have been made for festivities of
all kinds including a bullfxht, which not less
than five thousand Of the bluejackets Will see,
and regatta. for which preparations have been
going on for several weeks. President Pardo
will give public reception the officers to-
morrow afternoon. and Washingtons Birthday
will he made a gala occasion
The American warships had successful and
uneventful passage UP from Punta Arenas
They left that port Il o'clock at night on
February = and in column formation made their
way through the western--haIf of The Strai of
Magellan. The torpedo boat fottlla accompanied
the warshfps 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 Sryth Channel \ minor accident TO
the engine OF the destroyer Lawrence made it
necessary for her to fall back, but she picked
up the notla later. in the afternoon OF FehrU-
airy S. The destroyeEs entered Smyth Chan
mel at about the same time that the batteships
got clear OF the strait and steamed out the
Pacific
On Saturday. the Sth. the sky was overcast.
The weather was cold and the wind blew squally
and fresh forcing the low flying clouds aside
for occasional flashes of brilliant sunshine. The
snowclad peaks either side Of the strait made
fitting setting 10 the wild weather. AS the
vessels steamed steadily through the narrow
confines of English Reach. Crooked Reach and
Long Reach and finally past the Evangelists.
rugged and picturesque beauty. one after an
other the white battleships forged through the
deep gorge in the bleak mountains that form
the sou:hernmost headlands of South America.
To the north and 10 the south the mountain
valleys showed glintiug glaciers with cascades
strear ming down the narrow cuts and defiles To
The lower levels, to find their way to the sea.
As the vessels finally cleared IN safety the
last headlands and the dangerous islands that
bar the entrance TO the open ocean every man
in the fleet was filled with a sense of pride in
The successful accomplishment of a difficult and
dangerous piece of navigation once in the
Pacidc the fleet ran into drizzling rain and fog.
and the headlands and mountains marking the
ed