Omaha daily bee., 1909-02-23

Illinois, and last in the returning line.
as they were last to leave, came the
kearsarge and Kentucky, the Oldest ships
in the fleet.
The Maine followed in fhe wake OF the
Kentucky and it received all Of the
honors accorded the, vessels of the home
coming fleet. Rear Admiral Arnold, com
manding the third squadron of the. Atlantic
fleet was on the bridge of the Maine The
Idaho, the Mississippi and the New Hamp-
shire were the last of the battleships In
line and were followed by the impressive
looking armored cruisers. North Carolina
and Montana, and lastly by the rakish-
looking little scout cruisers. Chester, Salem
and Birmingham.
FIutter of signals.
After the ships had anchored I'm response
to signals from the Connecticut ana the
division flagships, 1t seemed but a moment
before the rainbow lines of fluttering signal
flags and bits of vari-colored bunting. all
arranged in accordance with a common
design, sprang. as If by magic to the mast
heads. In the line left by the warships
and still kept clear by a patrol fleet OF
torpedo boats and naval tugs, the May
flower, gaily dressed itself in honor OF the
fleets return and the birthday of Wash
ington, was seen making its way. The
cheering ashore was begun again and
swept in a great wave up and down the
crowded water front, The Mayflower
passed close in shore and passing Fortress
Monroe, the presidents flag received the
army's tribute of twenty-one guns.
The Mayflower came slowly TO anchor In
the center OF the fleet. Swift little steam
launches had already been lowered over
board from the divisional flagships, and
nara dartfpp IN the uariOnQ shinS IN gather
up the commanding officers for a call On
the president. Lastly. the four admirals
OF the fleet entered the launches and the
start for the Mayflower was made. Ad-
mIral Sperry's launch was the first to
reach the starboard gangway of the presi-
dents yacht and he was ushered aboard
with a flare OF trumpets, a ruffle of drums
and a few strains of a lively march played
by the ships band, President Roosevelt
advanced from his station on the quarter
deck and cordially grasped Admiral Sper-
rvs hand, Then came the. captains of the
first division and the succeeding admirals
and captains OF all the divisions and ships
OF the returning fleet. President Roose-
welt warmly congratulated all of the off,
GERS personally, and then collectively, he
formally thanked them and all the officers
and men under them for the part they had
PIC GU III N AO ~ uhSN sum a plll-
liant success.
President Visits FlaRshfps.
The officers were on the Mayflower less
than half an hour. Then the president. ac-
companied by Admiral sperry and his aids
began his round Of visits to the divisional
flagships. He went first to the Connecti-
cut. Again the sides of the flagship were
manned. The president was received aboard
with the most elaborate ceremonies. Com
ing over the side the president was saluted.
Again, as he left the ship, having spoken
briefly to the officers and men. the salute
OF twenty-one guns was fired. The presi-
dent went in turn to the Louisiana, the
Georgia and the Wisconsin.
When the president returned 10 the May
flower late in the afternoon the notable
reception and review of the fleet was at
an end.
President Praises Fleet.
In his address President Roosevelt said
Admiral Sperry, officers and men of the
battle fleet: over a 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 the southern hemispheres;
four times you have crossed the line; you
have steamed through all the great oceans;
you have touched the coast of every conti-
nent. Even your general course has been
westward and now you come back to The
port from which you set sail. Tits is the
first battle fleet that has ever cumna
gated the globe. Those who perform the
feat again can but follow in your foot
steps. ,
The little torpedo flotilla fleet went with
WHau- a...- $50
! straits of Magellan, TO our own Pacific
I coast. The armored cruiser squadron met
r you and left you again. when you were half
l way around the world. You have taIslned
E every prediction OF the prophets Of failure.
In all your long cruise not an accident
worthy OF mention has happened 20 a single
I batteship. not yet any cruiser or torpedo
boat. You left this coast In a high state
' Of battle efficiency and you return WITH
your efficiency increased. better prepared
I than when you left. not only In personnel.
but even In material. During your world
: cruise you have taken your regular gun
r merry practice and skilled though you were
before with the guns. you have grown more
4 skilled stll. and through practice you have
improved In battle tactics. though. here
there IL more room for Improvement than
/, IN your gunnery. Incidentally. ] suppose,
hardly need say that one measure OF your
fitness must be your clear recognition OF
the need always steadily 10 strive 10 rem
der yourselves more FIT; n you ever Erow TO
think that you are nt enough. you can
make up your minds that from hat mo-
meat you will begin 20 60 backward.
y A a war machine. the fleet comes back
IN better shape than "a vent out. In aaai-
ton. you. the officers and men OF this
|" formidable fighting force. have shown your
selves the best 81 an possible amhassa-
dors and heralds ~ peace. wherever you
. have landed you have borne yourselves -
a. 70 make "a "a home proud % bsins your
enuntVmen You have shown that ira bust
pp@ ~ hEhunE man - the ga kn0Ws how
y O. appeaf % ue Utmost possible advahtar.
shen his business Il o. behave himsslf on
shofe anf q make a sod impression 10 .
forsisn land We are proud - an M ships
and ~ m mn in this shuis Net. ana
- - Setoone Fca home 30 tbs country uhoss
500 rsputs ssuonF nations has besn r1isss