The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-11-02
SEES The ARMADA
President Taft Obtains First
Real View of the Navy.
WarshiDs Stretched Out a Dis
tance of Seven Miles.
SIX DREADNOUGHTS
Among the "a BattIeships Pass
ing in Review.
He Receives the Flag Offices on
the MayflOwer.
DREADNOUGHTS

New York, Nov. 2.-President TAFT
loday had his first real view OF the
american navy. 1t had so happened
since he entered the White House thar
the Meet which was so greatly admired
Dy his predecessor, Colonel Roosevelt,
had been on widely scattered duty for
the greater part OF the time. And
Mhlle the president had reviewed two
DIVISIONS OF the Atlantic fleet in Prov
lncetown harbor in the summer or
1917 and little more than two weeks
ago in San Francisco had stood on tbe
quarter deck of the fagship California
oI the racine fleet. he had never until
To-Day come into his own as com
nander-in-chief Of the fighting forces
or the country. From the bridge of
the presidential yacht Mavnowcr. Mr.
Iatt reviewed the gray armada that
Tor more than a week had swung az
anchor in the Hudson river awaiting
ms inspection. As the little white
MayhoWer picked her way in and out
among the giant craft of the battle
snip line the guns roared in salute.
The yacht with the presidents blue
crested flag al the main truck sailed
gracefully along the seven mile coll
umn of fighting ships. turned at the
end and headed again down the river.
Late this afternoon the entire fleet.
ninety-nine vessels in all. will get un-
der way and pass in review OF the
president while the MayioWcr lies az
President Taft planned TO spend the
entire day on the water. His train
arrived in Jersey City from Washing
ton shortly after Z o'clock and a few
minutes later he was being transferred
to the M9yfiower. As he went aboard
his flag was broken from the masthead
and the usual honors were paid him.
As rule Mr. Taft requests that all
ceremonies on the Mayfiower be sns-
pended. Today's events being purely
official. however, the ceremonials pre-
scribed in the navy regulations were
followed to the letter. The party
aboard the presidential yacht also was
strictly official. Secretary Of the Navy
Meyer, the presidents aide. and Sccre-
tary Hilles went aboard with ~. Taft.
A large party of invited guests inclnd-
ing senator's, representatives and for
eign military and 1val attaches from
Westminster were aboard the dispatch
boat Dolphin which followed IN the
wake OF the Mayfiower.
Taft on the Bridge.
When President Taft had taken his
place on the bridge. the Mayflower got
under way and headed up the Hudson.
1t was quite a sail to the foot Of Fifty
ninth street. where the head OF the
battleship column rested. on board the
flagship Connecticut a sharp lookout
had been kept down the harbor and
as soon as the presidential flag was
made out in the distance the flagship
let go with her saluting guns.
had hardly cleared the muzzle when
the other vessels in the line, following
the motions OF their leader. had begun
the firing of the president salute Of q
rounds
The last echoes OF the salute were
drifting down the river from the far
end of the line as the Mayflower crept
to an anchorage near the Connecticut.
Her engines had scarcely stopped turn
ing when half a score of sturdy little
1flr~
board gangway. The admirals Of the
fleet were on their way to pay their
respects to the president. Rear Ad-
miral Hugo Osterhaus. commander-in-
chief Of the fleet. sailing from the
Connecticut, was first TO board the
He was attended by his
aides and as he passed up the gang
way there was a flourish of trumpetn,
a ruffle of drums and a strain or two
Of lively march by the marine band
Admiral Csterhaus soon was followed
by the other flag officers OF the fleet
who went aboard in accord with their
divisional rank.
Receives the Flag Officers.
The president and Secretary Meyer
stood on the quarterback. Mr.. TAFT
had a cordial expression Of greeting
for each of the officers. When the re-
ception had ended and the admiraIs
had sailed away in their barges. the
president prepared to return courtesies
The guns of the flagship thundered a
salute as he came aboard. again when
he left 1t was from the Connecticut
The president got his best view Of the
anchored fleet With the sounding OF
,olors at a. m. a great transforma-
ion had come over the dull gray yes
sells Their gaunt yardarms and skele-
-on masts, which had stood out bare
and ungraceful against the skyline.
soon bloomed with the varf-colored
'lags Of fun dress. The long strings
# fluttering bunting. stretching from
vaterline to waterilen across the mast
ails had appeared as II By magic The
cOnnecticuts dressing probably was
he most gorgeous in the fleet, the
Usual single line Of pennants being SUD
llemented by others that arose
to the yard arms.
The exchange of calls completed the
Mayfiower picked up her anchors and
started down the water lane formed by
he battleships on her starboard quar-
-er and the slender little destroyers 70
port. With the presidential nag again
IN the move. the saluting began anew.
This time IT was not IN chorusea.
AS the Mayfiower bridge cleared tho
Connecticut the flagship let go vfri
Il guns Next in line was the Minnl-
gan AS the Mayiiower cleared hor
after gangway. the Michigan took 30
he tribute OF the speaking cannon.
Dakota. and the other ships down ihe
inc. Each in its turn paid comUl-
nent to the president.
a Thrilling Spectacle.
Mr. Taft stood on the bridge and lifi-
"a his hat as he passed the coiOrs ~
he various sniDs. on each battlesnfu
md on board the d-Str. vers the aide1