Arizona republican., 1909-02-15

ans hauled down his flag for all time
 He was succeeded as commander-in- chief by Rear Admiral Charles H. Thomas, who sailed from Hampton Roads in command of the second squadron. Because of Admiral Ev
 ans illness the burden of the diplo-
 matic calls, the speeches and the en- tertaining of the trip around South Pacific coast, a capable man, also died within a comparatively short time after turning his vessel over to a sue ceSsor.
 Rear Admiral Sperry, who returns as cOmmander-i in- chief, sailed as com mander of the fourth division of the fleet, being ranged by both Admirals Evans and Thomas. Rear Admiral William H. Emory was the fourth of the sailing admirals, and he was re- tired while the ships were at Manila. Captains Seaton Schroeder of the Vir- ginia, Richard Wainwright of the Louisiana and William H. Potter of the Vermont were the captains who attained flag rank during the cruise.
 Leaving Hampton Roads on a cloud less day in December, 1907, after a review by the president from the bridge of the Mayflower the first run of the fleet took it to Trinidad. It had been announced that the practice cruise would end on the west coast of the United States. but hardly had the ships got under way than the fact became known that it was really Mir Roosevelt's intention to have the six teen battleships circumnavigate the globe. At Trinidad the first of the gayeties occurred. The officers and men of the fleet were welcomed with a hospitality which set a mark for all succeeding receptions, and from that time on each succeeding port tried to Outdo its predecessor. The climax of lavish displays, of parties and recep- tions, undoubtedly came in Australia and Japan. although it would be dfffi- cult for the officers and men today to say just where it was the people tried hardest to make their stay a pleasant one. Among the men, Los Angeles will always be a bright memory, for it was there that they first came into their own on the trip and all enter tainments were arranged in particular for the enlisted force. It was in Los Angeles also that Jim Jeffries, cham pion of the world, refereed the sailors boxing bouts and mingled with them in all their sports.
 From Trinidad the fleet called next at Rio Janeiro, where the days of the visit were Overcrowded with social events. At Rio an unfounded rumor told of a plot by anarchists to blow up some of the American vessels. The first thrill of fear which swept the nation was quickly dispelled when the story was shown to be pure fabrica- tion. From Rio the itinerary led to Punta Arenac, that unique and far thest south" settlement on the Straits of Magellan. Here again a hospitable people made the stay of the fleet an exceedingly pleasant one. The Chilean government sent a cruiser to accom- pany the sixteen battleships through the treacherous waters of the straits and although the navigators of the American vessels had already plotted their own course through the narrow, rock-walled waterway, the courtesy of the South American nation was fully appreciated.
 When the ships had safely left the straits the department officials at Washington undoubtedly breathed a sigh of gratified relief, although on the sixteen big ironclads themselves there was never a question in the mind of any officer or enlisted man as to the