New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-02-23
REVIEWED By PRESIDENT
IN HAMPTON ROADS.
ErecutiUe Speaks WOrds of Praise
and Pride Stirring Scenes
of NaUaI Parade.

| American navy
| This was the toast of President Roosevelt to-
day. as he stood, radiantly happy. in the cabin
of the graceful little cruiser yacht Mayhower.
at the close Of the review and the ceremonies
| attending the welcome home of the American
| battleship feet. He was surrounded by the fias
/ officers and captains of the sixteen world euctr-
cling vessels brilliantly attired in all the gold
lace and paraphernaIia Of special full dress uni
! form. and every glass raised in response
to the Presidents suggestion
I'VE stay-at-hOmes also drink to the men who
| have made US prouder than ever Of our country"
added the President, and again the toast was
| pledged.
when the fleet sailed from San Francisco,
Mr.. President" replied Rear Admiral Charles
s. Sperry. you sent message saying this
was heavy responsibility and great honor
That have to-day fulfilled the responsibility
makes this the prOudest moment of our lives
say we advisedIy in speaking Of the feet, for
no could have done what has been
done without the loyal and willing cooperation
of every man in the fleet"
Thus briefly the commander in chief OF the re-
turning ships made his official report 10 the
commander in chief of the army and navy.
The President was in the same Joyous mood
that he showed when the ships set sail four
teen months ago. and TO those who had also
witnessed that notable departure Of the first real
battle squadrOns ever gathered under the Amer
lean flag. he constantly expressed his enthu-
siasm over the safe and triumphant return OF
the feet which dispatched under his orders.
on a cruise which. it said. too hazard
GUS for any such body Of ships TO undertake
MAGNIFICENT" SAYS PRESIDENT.
do you remember the prophecies OF disas-
ter?" asked the President. Well here they
are" he added. pointing to the ships, returning
after fourteen months. without scatch. Isn't
it magnificent
To the and the minor officers the Presi-
dent expressed his appreciation and the thanks
Of the country for the prestige which the cruise
Of the fleet has given 10 the American navy by
making visits to the four divisional hagships.
the Connecticut. the louisiana, the Georgia and
the Wisconsin.
On the Connecticut were gathered detachments
of bluejackets from all Of the other ships OF
that division and the same was true OF the
companies on the other hagships- Coming
aboard the Connecticut with the crew manning
the rails or drawn up at attention on the quar-
terdeck and after bridge with the band playing
THE Star Spangled Banner and the forward
guns firing a salute OF twenty-one guns in his
honor, the President passed first down the long
line Of officers along the starbOard rail and had
word of cordial greeting for each and every
one. Previously on the Mayfower, he had said
a personal word Of cOngratulatiOn to ali OF the
flag and commanding officers Among them
were many warm personal friends CT the Presi-
dent and these he fairly embraced after the for
malities Of their first salute had ended At In
tervaIs during the reception on the RLayfOwer
the President took Admiral Sperry by the arm
and led him OFF 10 side for a confidential
chat.
On the Connecticut the President climbed upon
the barbette OF steel foundation. Of the after
turret with it's proruding 12-inch rifles. and
in the shadow OF those great guns he briefly
addressed the crew. In order to reach the shelf
Of the barbette, some five feet above the deck.
the President had to step first upon a water hy-
drant His foot slipped when he made the in
itiaI attempt and he narrowly missed a fail
which might have proved serious. AS he final
" made the gun platform the crew cheered lusti-
". The President interspersed his prepared re-
marks freely with asides. and he particularly
caught the fancy OF the men when he told them
he was immensely satisfied with the gunnery
work thus far accomplished
WANTS ROUGH WATER GUNNERY.
You have done 1 in smooth water said
the President. but what want TO see next year
is target practice under the conditions In
rough water"
to cheering which caught up by the white
gloved officers.
For il you ever have to fight continued the
President you can't choose your water"
Again the men burst into cheering Target
work is the subject nearest the sailors heart
to-day The men are enthusiasts on anything
apperta ming TO it. and the rivalry among tho
different ships both at record and battle prac-
tice is intense. The men cheered again when
the President declared that this the first
battle fleet ever to circumnavigate the globe
and that any other nation that attempted a sim
liar performance must follow in the footsteps OF
America
You have done the trick he exclaimed. and
the quick response OF the nen brought glad
smile to the speakers lips "Other nations may
follow" repeated the President, but they have
got to go behind" The cheering broke our
afresh when the President declared OF the cruise
that nobody after this will forget that the
American coast is on the Pacific as well as on
the Atlantic"
When the President had closed and was aboue
10 be ''piped over the side continue his round
of the fagships a member Of the crew proposed
three cheers and a tiger" They were given
with vigor that fairly swept the Chief Ex-
ecutive of his feet. and he bowed acknOwI-
edgment. he exclaimed:
IF there were enough OF me. I'd cheer for
you"
The day of the fleets home coming was cold
and gray. drizzling downpour OF rain fol-
lowed early morning fog that threatened Sc
riously to interfere with the arrangements for
the entry and review. The MayhOwer in the
night had had perilous journey down the lower
Potomac and through Chesapeake Bay. for
scores Of excursion craft from Washington and
Baltimore striving with her TO make t.seir
way through the gray banks OF mist But the
MayflOwer safely reached her anchorage on the
lightship that marks the tail OF the Horseshoe
Channel and took up position in almost the