New-York tribune., 1909-02-19
CROWDS AWAIT FLEET
OFF C4PES TOMORROW.
Heck of Entertainment at NorTotk
and Old Point Comfort.

,-oach Of the batt.eshp feet and its escort, sig
nailed tonight by wireless less than sevon nun
miles of the Virginia Capes Is re1ec'eo n te
great crowds visitors pouring into the hote'1
here Many private houses IN Phosbus and Hauap-
son viii he thrown open 70 aocomunodate the over
sow.
The tender Yankton sailed to-day for Washington
hut the armored cruisers North Carolina ara mon
zsua ara still in the roadstead. They finished coal
lsag this morning. IT is planned now to have them
Tsa=e the rozdstead to-morrow morning TO join the
hnconing squsdTans.
The combined forces expected TO arrive at
zbe southern drill grounds fifty miles of the Fir-
lssnia Cspes some time Saturday Minor eTolu-
sions and rnan9uvres Will be gone through IN order
serrival. on Monday morning next The meet VIII
s<asF IN past the Capes about 10 a. m
The dinner to be given by the Navy League al
tshe Chamberlia Monday evening VIII be the
ssrst Of the social affairs connection with the
lneet's arrival. While the dinner Is in progress
lhsn for the junIcr officers VIII be given at the
,s-hamSsrln. Many other entertainments are being
spisnned for the fleets stay
Z majority OF the members OF both branches OF
,Cengress are expected down 70 witness the
srrlval and review # the feet
NORFOLK MASS OF BUNTING.
Norfolk is also preparing elaborate welcome
kor the feet Bunting IS displayed everywhere ana
trinzs electric lights fesoon the principal down
1opn thoroughfares. The city is rapidly filing up
with visitors. and the hotels are already overrun
with applications FOR accommodations during neet
szeek."
Norfolk is the home station Of practically half OF
She battethips in the feet. and even after tbs dis
sribution from Hampton Roads begins the enter
fainments planned here for the officers and enlisted
viii continue A special steamer has been
chartered by the entertainment committee TO give
free transportation 10 the men between Norfolk
and Old Point Comfort long the feet remains
IN the roaestead- A night parade OF the steamers
Saturday. February q. is 20 be one Of the
unique features Of the week
he-a 70
the scene Of the review by President Roosevelt
Many thousands Of persons viii gather along the
UiIcCghby shore. the outskirts Of Norfolk and
5usr opposite Old Point Comfort. Other thousands
VIII go ali the Esy 70 Virginia Beach 10 catch
<-st glimpse Of the incoming vessels Interest In
the homecoming OF the feet is unprecedented.
wsshinstcn. Feb. ss-The following wireless
message was received to-day from Admiral sperry
on board The battleship ConIectcut. accepting the
invitation attend the dinner 10 be given by the
Navy League as a welcome 70 the homecoming
fleet:
ADMIRAL. sPERRY's MESSAGE
Admiral sperry accepts with much pleasure the
agreeable invitation Of the Navy League Of the
United States to she annual dinner Of the league
at the Hotel Chsmberlin, p. m, February o.
Admiral sperry viii speak with pleasure and
quests the conrnittee 10 the other off,
Gers and Will grateful 10 be Informed who
selectsd and the toast to which they wifi be
2ected respond the subject which they
viii speak"
He names six, 1--WE officers including himself
who viii sttend The dinner. and adds that the cap
tain and one ofTioer each from the North Carolina.
the Montana. the Chester ana the Birmingham will
also attend if these ships join the feet before
February -
Admiral Sperry win respond 20 the toast The
Fleet: Captain Fremont 10 The Modern Battle
chip" ard Lieutenant Commander Mclean 10
The American Bluejscket-' Others who will
speak viii be Governor Swanson Of Virginia. John
". Weeks and Colonel Robert N Thompson, hon
orsry vice president Of the league
A wireless message received from the Connecti-
cut tonight ssys tlat the feet and the welcoming
squadron which is conveying # 10 home waters
were Joined this morning by the scout cruiser
Chester. Commander Wilson, which was ordered
&c take position with the third squadron.
The feet into rough seas on Wednesday
slef:, but into smooth waters again tonight.
with northwest breeze Blowing.
A. noon Of Wednesday the ships brought
70 g stop 20 hurry Steward Walter Smith. OF the
Minnesota. xho died Of tubercular meningitis on
Tuesday night The colors half-rnasted and
Chaplain Evans read prayers.
From every vessel fly honleward-bound pennants
streaming o,t ia feet in the breeze With Hamp-
sen Roass onl 40 miles distant the spirits Of the
rising and ''only four DAYS more is on
every hip
For the anchorage Of the battieship feet in
Hampton Roads the Department Of Commerce and
labor has reserved the berths similar 10 those
occupied by the before they started on their
worlds crsiise
To guard against accidents ali merchant YES
ssls 10 keep clear Of the feet cn February
= while under way from the Cspes Of the Chesa-
reske 10 the anchorage at Hampton Roads.
not 10 pass between the two lines Of bsttleships
after they have anchored until the Presidents
yacht, the IsydoEer. has sailed from Hampton
Reads about O'Clock and are 10 observe scrupu-
lohEy the instructions Of officers OF she patrol feet
Of the navy The latter is be under command
g Comma anoer George, and is TO be made up Of
40 FaacH
including the Potomac and the Nina