Omaha daily bee., 1909-02-23

capacity as commander-in-chief of the
army and navy, he did not consider the
event one Of sufficient Importance to re-
quire 8 speech or other special ceremony.
President Greets Representatives.
Today. with their splendid record of
/ achievements and victories OF peace behind
them, the sixteen battleships came home 20
a welcome and to a ceremonious greeting
which could hardly have been more jubi-
liant and sincere n the fleet were return
ing victorious from some famous battle
ground. The president addressed not
only the officers Of the fleet gath
erd upon the quarter deck of the May
flower, but he visited as well the four
divisional flagships and there he addressed
the crews in terms of enthusiastic compli-
ments. rs 1t was impossible for Mr.. Roose-
Welt to visit each Of the sixteen returning
vessels. representatives Of the men from
each ship In the four divisions were gath
cred upon the flagships and they. in turn,
took the presidents greetings TO their ship
mates.
The Mayflower had not long lain at an
Choir when the tracings of smoke on the
horizon told of the approach of the fleet
and soon the msstheads of the Connecticut
could be picked up with glasses through
the wide swung capes. Then the white
hull of the famous flagship flashed into
view. Out of the distance the fleet grew
rapidly until at last the end of the white
column in front could be distinguished. The
gray clad vessels of the escort grew far
more slowly above the horizon and served
as a splendid demonstration OF the value
OF a neutral color for the naval vessels in
time OF war.
Gun Blooms Welcome signal.
While the leading ships were still a mile
or more distant from the Mayflower, a
puff of smoke from the forward bridge of
the Connecticut, followed by a muffled
boom, served as a signal to all the fleet
that the flagship had "made OUT the
presidential flag on the Mayflower. 1t
was also the signal of 'Fhome at last" and
made the hearts of 1900 men and 600 Off
GERS beat quicker in realization that the
day they have looked forward to through
all the days of lavish hospitality abroad at
last arrived. THAI first gun of the Con-
necticut's national salute to the president
found every ship in the line with s~alutine
csnnon ready and the second puff from
the flagship had not sounded when the
guns of the other ships had begun to speak
in unison the honor due the chief executive.
TIL president made his way to the bridge
OF the Mayflower while the saluting was
In progress. He had not long TO wait be-
fore the imposing line was bearing down
upon the reviewing boat. The scene, like
that at the departure OF the fleet, was one
which the president probably never will
forget. 1t set nerves tingling with patriotic
pride. On either side OF the incoming ar
mazda were gathered scores of excursion
steamers which grew constantly thicker
and thicker, as the warships plowed their
way to a home anchorage. The excursion
steamers, the tugs and the launches were
keeping up a continuous roar OF salutes
from their vari-toned whistles and the
crowds aboard as well as the throng on
the shore were cheering IN a chorus which
carried its welcome home far across the
waters TO ears that had not heard SC
sweet a sound in all their 5000 miles Of
cruising through the seven seas of the
world.
ships I'm Review Trim.
The Connecticut and all the ships in it,
wake were dressed in cruising fashion fol
filing in review. AT each masthead OF
the succeeding ships huge American flags
stood out to the breeze. The union jack
was aflutter at each stem and streaming
flags were in place at every lofty gaff,
Majestically the Connecticut steamed
toward the Mayflower, a line Of fighting
ves sells at it's heels. In their natty uni.
forms Of blue the sailors of the Connecticut
were manning the rails "close aboard. q
Shoulder to shoulder they stood stiffly al
attention along the sides Of the 1~6.OOO-tor
ship-an almost unbroken human line from
forecastle to quarterback. on the quarter
deck the marine guard was drawn up
Officers on the bridge and decks stood with
swords drawn and in special full dress
uniform.
As the PROV OF the Connecticut reached
the bridge OF the Mayflower the band OF
board the flagship began to play the sta
spangled Banner" The president doffeC
his silk hat and stood at attention in salut,
to the flag. There were no cheers. but a
lump was in the throat Of every one abOarS
the presidents yacht and cheering woul,
have been a welcome relief. As the las
strains of the national anthem died awal
the roar OF another salute shook the air
This time 81 was the Connecticut alone tha
fired. A ship OF beautiful lines, the Con
necticut-probably the most famous flag
ship among the navtes of the world-neve
appeared 10 better advantage than today
IL steamed by the Mayfiower. a spends
example Of American architecture. In IN,
wake OF the Connecticut came the Kansas
the eheanest ship In the navy As :
passed the same ceremonies set by the flag
ship were followed.
The Minnesota and the Vermont In turn
all sisters 20 the Connecticut. completes
the passing Of the first division.
second Division Passes.
Eight hundred yards separated The frs
and second divisions Rear Admiral VAIN
wright stood upon the after bridge % IN
Georgia. flagship 81 the second division
which included also the battleshlps Ne
braNkA New Jeney and Rhede Island
Herr again the wonderful ~homoEenily q
the fleet wAs stnkihgly Illustrated
Following the Second diyiuion came "a
} secoad s~guAdraa. cou4a@ed % ths thir
ana fourth divisAona oummanded b Re-
Admlral ssAtoa Echroodsr Admira schfos
der Sod a IN brides - ths Louis.
anA Ths other thrss shirs - ne diyist.
are ths Missouri and o0io. u smnar a.
; stm AMI IN NirElnta. shich tsioam I
, "a G~ana casa ns tsa q Ne resurs