Evening star., 1909-02-24
Toy Cannons Fire SaIutes for
Fleet Officers. r.,
WELCOME BY GOVERNOR
Militia Escort Through Streets and
Luncheon at Jefferson Hotel.
sPEECHMAK1NG AT THE TABLE
Rear Admiral Says He Does Not
Know Where Il the Secretary Of
the Navy and Does Not Care.

RICHMOND. Va, February 24-Rich-
mond welcomed the officers OF the round
the-world battleship fleet yesterday. when
cannon doomed, bands played and thou
sands Of persons cheered as the gold
braided men who had piloted the steel
clad warships Of the sea rode through the
streets.
A depressing drizzle fell continually.
but the path from the railway station to
the governor mansion. where an in
formal reception lasting an hour was
held. was literally lined with masses OF
humanity. waving flags and cheering these
men Of the sea.
Hardware stores brought their toy cam
non and fred the admirars salute OF thir-
teen guns. Business for the nonce was
suspended. and shirt-sleeved men in the
business district braved the danger OF
cold or pneumonia to get a glimpse OF the
heroes Of the hour.
As the line of automobiles wended its
way through the shaded roadbeds OF Capt.
tol Square a detachment Of the Richmond
Howitzers. which had been detailed Tor
the purpose. fired another salute. Rear
Admirals Sperry and Wainwright. who
their nag lieutenants. waved acknowledge
Inents all along the line.
Welcomed by Governor.
The reception OF the governor was
marked by great cordiality. Gov. and
Mrs Swanson were on the porch Of the
executive mansion when the first automo-
bile approached.
The governor offered congratulations.
Rear Admiral sperry replied. After
brief stay. during which handshakings
and we'll wishes. coupled with more well
line moved to the westmoreland Club.
where another reception had been ar
ranged.
Then began the sightseeing trip around
the city. From east to west, from nortn
to the visitors was left unseen. The rain
did not deter nor did 1t interfere with
any of the plans prearranSed Tor tne en-
tertaiument Of the distinguished visitors.
The ride lasted for an hour and half.
approximately. Such points as the White
House of the Confederacy. George Wash
ington's old headquarters and the Con-
federate Museum. all Of which are asso-
ciated with historical events. were visited.
Luncheon at the Jefferson.
The piece de resistance. however. was
the luncheon. which was served IN the
afternoon at the Jefferson Hotel. Here
all reserve was removed. It was . real.
true. home feast.
Rear Admiral Sperry responded to tho
toast. THE American Navy" Rear Ad-
miral Wainwright, while not scheduled
for a set speech. entertained with anec-
dotes. David c. Richardson. mayor OF
Richmond, and the president and business
manager Of the chamber OF commerce
made short addresses.
Among those who made the trip were
Rear Admirals Sperry and wainwright.
Capt. Walling. Commanders Klein. W.
Commanders wurtzbaugh. Hinds Gilis,
Stirling. Vogelgesans. Sympher. Allan.
Lyon. Whited. Lorning, Long. Baldwin. I.
X. Robinson. Bennet. Weaver. HOugh.
1 Althouse B. B. McGormick. p A. Trant.
son. Bassett. Pearson and Hasbrouck.
Surgeons Curtis, Spear. Freeman. Went
worth, Blackwood. Mccormick and Berry
hill and Paymaster Norris.
Rear Admiral Sperry In his speech
said:
Sperry Praises Officers.
"On the worlds cruise I have had
about me a splendid corps Of oficers. OF
my personal star Of seven men six are
commonly known in the ships as 'arrant'
rebels. Georgia. Florida, South Caro-
lima. all are represented among my per-
sonal aids. while my old sour apple state
OF Connecticut is left out entirely. With
these men at the wheel Is it any wonder
that we have gotten here and have got
ten here on timer"
He referred to this first separate well
come since we have returned TO our
shores" and said he had not read his
of1cial mail since arriving on the Ameri-
can side, and smilingly added:
Il don't know where the Secretary OF
the Navy is. and what's more. don't
care"
The rear admiral pointed out that the
voyage around the world was no junket
globe" he said, I'VE have doubled the
score of last years target practice. The
fleets efficiency has increased IS per cent
by economy OF coal consumption. due to
When a contest comes a navy must know
how to get there. and how to stay there
when 1t gets there.
People Force War.
Now that the world is governed by the
people and for the people, 1t is not sum-
cient that a solitary arbitrary ruler should
know on paper the possibilities OF q con-
test and the questions at issue. Under
the constitutional forms which rule the
world today. even In Russia. public senti-
ment may force ruler into a war or keep
him out Of 1t. And since the people gen
orally are only impressed by what they
see. 1t is necessary, IL you desire the peace
Of the world. that you show your feet"
Capt. w. Gordon McCabe presided Is
Adjt. Gen. Anderson repre-
sented the state. Representative Lamb
Of Virginia declared that IL Virginia had
had a dozen Merrimacs instead of one
fifty years ago we should have had peace
instead OF four years OF blood and strug-
GLE
Rear Admiral Wainwright in his ad-
dress bowed to the gallery and remarked:
I'VE can all shoot straighter and better
when we are remembered by the girls at
home"