The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-02-21
Hotels on Hampton Roads
Thronged With Fash
ionableS.
PRESIDENT GOES
ON MAYFLOWER
Naval Pageant Expected 70 Be
Greatest in Worlds
History.
By THEODORE TILLER.

OLD POINT COMFORT, Feb.
2t.-Within less than a hundred
miles from the waters of Hampton
Roads, sixteen restless ocean grey-
hounds, nearly home after the most
memorable cruise in the history of
any navy, at , O'Clock this afternoon
were impatiently steanling at slow
speed toward the capeS in order not
to anticipate the preaTanged hour
for their arrival at fl O'Clock tomor-
row.
The supply cruiser Panther, which
has accompanied the Atlantic fleet
around the world, anchored in
Hampton Roads this afternoon. The
Panther left the fleet early this
morning off the southern dri!l
grounds, which are about forty
miles beyond the capes.
The feet has virtually arrived.
home ahead Of time, and is now prac-
tically at anchor killing time as best
il may until the moment that It is To
plow by in single formation before
-the Commander-in-Chie Of the Army
and Navy.
Waiting for First Gun.
All is In readiness here for the re-
ception. There is but the one topic OF
conversation and when the Panther
brought information ashore this morn
ing that the return Of the feet was al
most now a reality. it but served to
increase the tension upon the nerves Of
the thousands who are counting the
moments until the first gun OF the na-
tional salute is heard.
The countenances Of anxious wives
and mothers beamed as the tiding5
few from mouth 70 mouth. Swee-
hearts stamped their impatient feet n
ecstasy and there was another rush for
the telegraph office in hope that IN some
way a wireless might 90 speeding
across the waves and spread aboard
the spirit of welcome felt on land
As the day progressed the hotel lob
bies. the walks, and boUlevards became
more and more a vision OF color as blue
jackets, cadets, and fashiOnably gowned
women strolled here and there, eyes
ever oceanw2rd, although each realized
that the sun Of another day must rise
before the great steel vessels and their
bristIing guns come into view
Every body has q nervous, anxious
pace. Every one wants to occupy his
time some way, everybody IS willing 10
talk about one thing-the heet-that
every inch Of ground at Old Point and
along Hampton Roads viii be occupied
by cheering thousands tomorrow was
plainly shown today, when every steam
er and trolley from Norfolk 9ad beyond
brought its hundreds 10 Fort Monroe.
just. as, they all said, to get the lay OF
the land and 10 select some spot where
the ships might be watched
Tomorrow viii he observed as q fun
holiday, nearly, II not all, Of the bust
ness men giving their employees the Op-
Portuuity Of Witnessing the return o.
the fleet
Craft Sold Out.
Ever. pleasure craft in these waters
has practically sold out lor the fleee
review. About fifty vessels. from the
most imposing yachts and river steamers
70 the small launches, have their parties
and viii go as near the scene Of the re-
view as the Government patrol boats
Will allow. Practically the entire week
Is 10 be given over TO an enter Jalninent
OF the feet. beginning with the NaES
League banquet a the ChamOeriin HO-
tel tomorrow night
Not wishing 70 entertain merely the
officers Of the fleet. Norfolk has now
decided upon grand parade and review
OF the bIUeJaCkets Saturday next Sec
Tetary NewoerTy mas assured the enter
taiurueut committee that about 10000 OF
the tackles can get ashore at that time
The naval Y n c. A building IS ID
remain open all day, and buffet lunch
con viii be served 70 the boys IN blue
VINO are required 10 return 10 the ships
Parade Planned.
on the morning of the 9th there VIII
be q parade. consisting OF detachments
Of sailors and marines from the battle
ships and the navy coast artillery from
Fort Monroe. the Fourth Regiment OF
Infantry, Norfolk Light Artillery Blues.
Grimes Battery. and the first company
of Coast Artillery Of the Virginia Ailj-
tia
The parade viii be reviewed by Gov
eruCr Swanson. Admiral Sperry. auI
other officers Of the feet It IS expected
there viii be fully 100O men in line
Saturday night q big civic parade viii
be held. in which al 0f the nOn-military
organizations OF the city and Se-ti0a
viii participate
There viii also be q division for autos
and floats and the idea is 20 make II
the procession q sort OF mardi sras
UaTade.
Various organizations will appear IN
fancy and grOtesque costumes ana the
marchers viii carry torches, while tGe