Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-03

fluence throughout the entire
civilized world during the year
just ended.
The globe-encircling voyage of
the American fleet. Americas
financial crisis, made the more
tense by a holly contested presi-
dental election, and the latest tri-
umphs of American genius in the
fields of science and invention
as. for example, the perfection of
the flying machine by the Wright
brothers-have all brought the
United States into the foreground
of international affairs more
prominently than in many year
past.
But not only has America her
self been involved in many mo-
mentous matters. She also has
been the more or less direct
cause of numerous history-making
events in far-distant countries.
The same spirit of freedom, for
example, which won American in
dependence has given liberty to
Bulgaria, compelled the old-time
tyrant of Turkey to grant con-
stitution; and in Russia, Persia,
and even China, forced long-es-
tablished autocracy to recognize
the rights of the people.
In Portugal, however, as in
France at the time of the fall of
the Bourbon monarchy, American
principles of liberty have driven
men mad, making criminals out of
patriots. and horrifying mankind
with deeds of blood. At Lisbon
King Carlos and the Crown
Prince of Portugal were slaugh-
tered in frenzied effort to estab-
lish a republic. Instead, the mon
archy continues, with the boy
king. Manuel II, on the throne.
Similar misguided attempts to OBJ
tain freedom through assassina-
ton were made in Persia and
India.
Despite the forebodings which filled
many Americans and foreign news
papers at the time the
cruise OF American fleet left the
the Fleet. Atlantic coast of the
United States. bound for
the Pacific. its voyage has proved a
success. automatically as well as nau-
tically. Many were the war rumors
rife in the beginning Of the dangers of
a clash with Japan, who might accept
the fleets visitation to Asiatic waters
as a challenge. Such views appeared
especially prominent in the German
press. But Japan's reception of the
American squadron proved conclusively
hew little ground there was for such
lingo talk. Few times in naval history
has one country paid such signal honor
to another as did Japan to the United
i. States during the week that the Yam
kee ships fingered In Japanese waters.
When the American battleship fleet
sailed into the harbor Of Yokohama on
the morning Of October ID the popula-
ton of the port had been doubled by
the crowds of visitors from all parts
Of the empire. The unusual honor of
q
for the Americans by the Japanese ad-
miralty, every American ship being ac-
companied by Japanese vessel of the
same class.
fetes had been prepared for Rear Ad-
miral Sperry and his men, and the en-
tire program was carried out without
a single discordant note. One of the
evidences of Japanese friendship which
particularly impressed the American
sailors was the assembling of 10000
Japanese school children in one of the
Toxic parks, who sang Hail Columbia"
in English.
Enthusiastic also was the reception
accorded the fleet along the South
American coast.
Sailing from Hampton roads Deem
Der L. 1907. in command of Rear
Admiral Robley D. Evans, the ships
reached Rio Janeiro on the twelfth day
of 1908. President Penna made his well
come especially gracious by announc-
ing a reduction of import duties in &C
cord with the Brazilian tariff law of
June, 1906.
Argentina sent out a guard of ships to
bid the passing fleet bon voyage, as 1t
could not visit Buenos Aires. because of
shallow water At Punta Arenas, the
most southern city in the world, the fleet
was welcomed by high Gillian officials
i. February 1. The Pacific was reached
February g. and Valparaiso. February
il. February IS. at Callao. sPeru. great
Peruvians and Ecuadorian officials.
After a short stay at Magdalena bay,
on the Mexican coast, where most of the
ships beat their records at target practice,
the vessels sailed into home waters April
IA, dropping anchor in Coronado bay. Up
to that point they had covered L., 569
knots without a mishap.
Then began triumphal receptions at the
California cities of San Diego. Los An
geles. Santa Barbara Monterey and San
Francisco. the people of the state turning
out by the tens of thousands. literally, to
welcome and entertain both officers and
men of the grim peacemakerS 1t is not
putting it too strongly to sav that the
coast went wild over the ship and the
men. When the ships reached San Fran
cisco Rear Admiral Evans was succeeded
by Admiral Charles S. Sperry, the former
being compelled to give up command be
cause of illness, and May 8 the forty
three warships. great and small. of the
combined Atlantic and Pacific fleets took
part in a great naval parade In San
Francisco bay. one of the most impress
sive naval spectacles America ever has
seen.
Leaving California July Z, the feet
reached Honolulu July rs: Auckland. New
Zealand. August 8: Sydney. Australia
August %, and Melbourne, August ~
The highest officials and the people gen
orally of these two important British
possessions welcomed the fleet uproar.
iously spoke of America as their Dig
brother and gave the world the impress
sion that they looked to the American
nation rather than to England to be thei,
protector In the event of a struggle for
supremacy with the yellow and brown
races to the north of them.