The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-24
Admiral Spery Pays Tribute to Southern Men Among
 the Officers
NAVAL LEADERS VISIT
 CAPITAL OF VIRGINIA
Admiral sperry Delivers an Address Telling of the Great Improvement In Efficiency of the Men on
 Long World Tour.

Richmond, Va, February 23.-Grace- full homage was paid by the south to- day to the globe girdling American battleship fleet in this quaint old cap ital of the confederacy. not link that binds together a solidly reunited country.
 I've welcome you to the hearts of a people who yield to no one in devo- tion to the American navy, nor in loy alty to our flag"
 This sentiment, feelingly expressed by Mayor Richardson, in welcoming Rear Admiral sperry. Rear Admiral Wainwright. and 54 of the officers under the formers command to this city, found harmonious echo in the fol- lowing words of gallant Sperry;
 "On the worlds cruise I have had about me a splendid corps of officers. In my personal staff of seven men, six of them are commonly known in the ships as 'arrant rebels Georgia Flor ida, South Carolina, all are represented among my personal aides. 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 gotten here on timer
 Many sons of Dixie, as they sat in the richly decorated banquet hall of the Jefferson hotel this afternoon, fratern- izing with American officers clad in blue and braid, felt rather than ex pressed a deep sense of pride in their
 
 common cause for which all them stood ready to yield up their life blood.
 Arrival of Party.
 Tie visitors invited by the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, arrived here shortly before noon by train from Fortress Monroe, escorted by 8 great committee Another committee was waiting with automobiles to carry the visitors to the governors mansion, where a reception was planned. Gov ernor Swanson was detained in Nor folk, however and the motor train passed into the yard of the mansion and passed right out again.
 An informal reception at the famous old Confederate club, the "Westmore- land" whose members boast that they once entertained the gifted Thack cray, followed.
 Then came the luncheon at the Jeff ferson. As the officers entered the hotel they were f1attered by very pretty little attention from the wo- men guests, who lined up on either side of the lobby, subjected the officers to a vigorous ,handclapping. The war riors doffed their caps gallantly and remembered the fair ones later in a hearty toast
 Admiral Sperry in his speech said: "I haven't read my official mail since arriving on the American side" Then with faint smile added:
 'I don't know where the Secretary of the Navy is and what is more 1 don't care"
 Benefits of Voyage.
 The admiral then undertook to impress upon his hearers that the voyage around the world was no junket, that it con sisted of something more than entertain ment and fetes. Do you know" he asked. "that while we have beon encir- cling the globe, we have doubled the score of last years target practice? You have not been told that there has been an immense increase in the efficiency of the fleet, nor that It's efficiency has in creased 25 per cent by economy of coal consumption, due to hard and faithful work of the men below decks. This item alone has greatly increased the efficiency in finding the enemy For, when a con test comes, a navy must know how to get there and how to stay there when it gets there
 Now that the world IS governed by the people and for the people it is not sufficient that solitary arbitrary ruler T,Q of a contest and the questions at issue under the constitutional forms, which rule the world today. Even in Russia public sem timent may force ruler into war or keep him out of it. And, since the peo- pie generally are only impressed by what they see, 1t is necessary if you desire the peace of the world that you show your fleet"
 Virginia for Big Navy.
 Capt. W. Gordon McCabe presided as toastmaster and provided much of the wit and brilliance with which the lunch- con abounded. In the absence of the gov- ernor Ad1utant General Anderson repre- scented the state. Congressman Lamb of Virginia also was present and made a few remarks in which he said that the Virginians in Congress were convinced of the need Of great navy, as the su-est guarantee of peace, and that they stood for four battleships each year. Had Vr- gina had dozen Merrimacs instead of one 50 years ago. we should have had peace instead of four years of blood and struggle"
 We are pleased to come home.'' said Rear Admiral Wainwright, i've are pleased at the welcome given us by the home people, for" lowing to the gal lery now banked with women. i've all know in the navy we car, shoot straighter and fight better when we are remembere1 by the girls at home"
 After several others made brief speeches the visitors hastened to their train for Old Point.
 Colombian Railroad Finished.