The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-02-23
PRESIDENT IS SALUTED
 WITH A DIN OF WHISTLES
The Spectacle Was Marred By a
 Steady Rain.
h. Single Column the Warships Came n . Stately Procession Into the Roads While CannOns
 Doomed and Flags
 Were Dipped.

til some American fleet returns vic torious from a great sea battle will there be another such homecoming, another such sight as this. I drink to the American navy"
 This was the toast of President Roosevelt today, as he stood radiantly happy in the cabin of the graceful little cruiser yacht Mayfiower, at the conclus sion of the review and the cere- monies attending the welcome of the American battleship fleet He was sur rounded by the admtrals and captains of the world-circling vessels. brilliant ly attired in all the gold lace and paraphernallia of special full dress uniform and every flask was raised in ton.
 We 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, MT. Roosevelt" replied Rear Admiral Charles S. Sperry, you sert us a message saying that ours W. a heavy responsibility and great honor That we have today fulfilled the responsibility makes this the proudest moment of our lives I say we advisedly in speaking of the fleet. for no one man could have done what has been done without the loyal and willing cooperation of every man on the fleet"
 Thus briefly the commander-in- chief of the returning ships made his official report to the commander-fn- chief of the army and navy.
 President was Happy.
 The President was in the same joy ous mood as when the ships set sail fourteen months ago, and to those who had also witnessed that notable de- parture of the first real battle squad rons ever gathered under the Ameri- can flag, he constantly expressed his enthusiasm over the same and trium- phant return of the fleet. which was despatched under his orders on cruise which, it was said. was too hazardous for any such body of ships to undertake.
 DO you remember the prophecies of disaster?" asked the president. "Well, here they are." he added, point ing to the ships. returning after four- teen months without a scratch lsnt 1t magnificent?"
 To the men and junior officers the President expressed his appreciation and thanks of the country for the prestige which the cruise of the fleet has given to the American navy by ma king visits to the four divisional flag ships, the Connecticut. the Louisiana, the Georgia and the Wisconsin.
 On the Connecticut were detach- ments of blue jackets from all the other ships of that division, and the same was true of the companies on the other fagships. Coming aboard the Connecticut with the crew man ming the rails, or drawn up at at tention on the quarter deck, and after bridge. with the band playing the star Spangled Banner" and the for ward guns firing a salute of twenty one guns in his honor, the President passed first down the long line of off, cers along the starboard rail and had a word of cordial greeting for each and every one.
 Previously, on the Mayfiower. he had said a personal word of congrat- ulation to all the flag and command ing officers. Among them were many warm personal friends of the Presi-
 
 ter the formalities of their first salute had ended. Constantly during the re- ception on the Mayfiower. the Presi- dent would take Admiral Sperry by the arm and lead off to one side for con- fldential chat. On the Connecticut the President climbed upon the barbette or steel foundation of the after turret. with its protruding 12-inch rifles and in the shdaow 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 water hydrant. His foot slipped when he made the initial attempt and he narrowly missed a fall which might have proved serious. As he finally made the gun platform the crew cheer ed Justify.
 The President interspersed his ore. pared remarks freely with asides and particularly caught the fancy of the men when he told them he was i'm mensely sa tisf1ed with the gunnery work thus far accomplished.
 You have done Al In smooth wa ter" said the President. but what I want to see next year is a target prac- tice under the conditions In rough wa ter"
 CheereI By Blue Jackets.
  started to cheering hich was caught up by the white gloved officers.
 For If you ever have to fight" con- tinued the President you can't choose your water"
 Again the men burst into cheers, Target work is the subject nearest the sailors heart today He is an enthu- siast on anything appertaining to 1t and the rivalry between the different ships both at record and battle prac- tice Is intense
 The men cheered again when the President declared that this was the first battle fleet ever to circumnavi- gate the globe and that any other na- ton that attempted a similar perfor- nance must follow in the footsteps ct America,
 You have done the trick" he ex- claimed, and the quick response of the