Los Angeles herald., 1909-02-23
PRESIDENT PROUDLY REVIEWS
NATIONS ARMADA
GLoBE.ENcIRcLING SHIPS TEN
DERED GRAND RECEPTION
Scene at Fortress Monroe as Vessels
Return to Starting Point in
Proud Procession Made
Memorable
TBy Associated Press.l


returns victorious from great
sea battle will there be another such
Homecoming, another such sight as
this. 1 drink to the American navy"
This was the toast of President
Roosevelt today as he stood radiantly
happy in the cabin of the little cruiser
Yacht Mayfiower at the conclusion OF
the review, and the ceremonies attend
ing the welcome home Of the Ameri-
can battleship fleet.
He was surrounded by the admirals
and captains of the sixteen Worid-en-
circIine vessels. brilliantly attired in
all the gold lace and paraphernalla OF
special full dress uniform, and every
glass was raised in response to the
presidents suggestion.
I'VE stay-at-homes also drink to the
men who have made us prouder than
ever of our country" added the presI-
dent, and again the toast was pledged.
.sWhen the fleet sailed from San
Francisco. Nj President replied
Rear Admiral Charles S. Sperry, ''you
sent US a message saying that ours
was a heavy responsibility and great
honor That we have today fulfilled
the responsibility makes this the
proudest moment of our lives.
Il say we advisedly in speaking of
the fleet, for no one man could have
done what has been done without the
loyal and willing cooperation Of every
man on, the fleet"
Thus briefly the commander-in-chief
of the returning ships made his off
cial report to the commander-in-chief
Of the army and navy.
In Joyous Mood
in
mood as he was when the ships set
sail fourteen months ago.
To those who had witnessed that no
table departure of the first real bat
tleship squadron ever gathered under
the American flag he constantly eX-
pressed his enthusiasm over the safe
and triumphant return of the fleet dis
patched under his orders on cruise,
which it was said, was too hazardous
for any S,ch body of ships to under
take.
do you remember the prophesies of
disaster?' asked the president. well,
here they are he added, pointing to
the ships, returning after fourteen
months without a scra tch.
L say it is magnificent"
To the men and junior officers the
president expressed his appreciation
and thanks of the country for the pres
tige which the cruise of the fleet had
given to the American navy by making
visits to the four divisional fiagships-
the Connecticut, Louisiana, Georgia
and wisconsin.
On the Connecticut We're gathered
detachments of blue Jackets from all
of the other ships OF that division and
the same was true of the companies
on the other f1agships. Going aboard
the Connecticut with the crew man
ming the rails, or drawn UP at attention
on the quarterback and afterbridge,
with the band playing "The Star
Span9led Banner" and the forward
guns firing a salute of twenty-one guns
in his honor, the president passed first
down the long line of officers along the
starboard rail and had a word Of cor
dial greeting for each one.
congratuIates Officers
Previously on the Mayf1ower he said
a personal word of congratulation to all
of the flag and commanding officers.
Among them were many personal
friends of the president, and these he
fairly embraced after the formalities. of
their first salute had ended.
Constantly during the reception on
the Mayfiower the president would take
Admiral Sperry by the arm and lead
him off to one side for a confidential
chat.
Continuing, the president said:
Admiral Sperry, Officers and Men of the
Battleship Fleet: over year has passed
since you steamed out of this harbor, and
over the worlds rim, and this morning the
hearts of all who saw you thrilled with
pride as the hulls of the mighty warships
lifted above the horizon.
You have been in the northern and south
ern hemispheres; four times you have
crossed the line; you have steamed through
all the great oceans; you have touched the
coast of every continent.
Ever your general course was westward,
and you come back to the port from
which you set sail. This is the first battle
ship fleet that has ever circumnavigated the
globe. Those who perform the feat again
can but follow in your footsteps.
The little torpedo hotilla went with you
around South America, through the straits
of Magellan, to our own Pacific coast. The
armored cruiser squadron met you and left
you again when you were half way around
the world.
You have falsiied every prediction Of the
prophets of failure. In all your long cruise
not accident worthy of mention has hap
pened to a single battleship. nor yet to a
cruiser or torpedo boat. You left this Goa
in a high state of battle efficiency and you
return with your efficiency increased; bet
ter prepared than when you left not only in
personnel but even in material
During your world cruise you have taken
your regular gunnery practice. and skilled
though you were before with the guns, you
have grown more skilled still and through
practice you have improved in battle tactics.
though here there is more room for improve
ment than IN your gunnery.
Incidentally 1 suppose hardly needy saw
that measure of your fitness must be
your clear regocnition of the need always
steadily to strive to render yourselves more
1T: il you ever grow to think that you are
fit enough you can make up your minds that
from that moment you will begin to go back
ward
AS war machine the fleet comes back in
better shape than it went out In addition
you, the officers and men Of this formidable
fighting force, have shown yourselves the
best of all possible ambassadors and heralds
of peace.
Wherever you have landed you have borne
yourselves as to make US at home proud
of being your countrymen. You have shown
that the best type of fighting men Of the
sea KNOWS how to appear to the utmost pos
sible advantage when his business is to be-
have himself on shore. and to make a good
impression in foreign land.
We are proud of all the ships and ali the
men in this whole feet, and welcome You
home 70 the country whose good repute
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