The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-27
MARTIAL MUSIC IN
 HISTORIC MOBILE Splendid OratOry Marks the
 2O0th Anniversary UNDER FIVE FLAGS
Celebration Most Brilliant and Inn pressive Ever Witnessed in the Gulf City-Taft Starts
 the Ceremony

| Mobile May 26.-Martial music, splen did orators, the tread of soldiers ant sailors, the boom of guns and the spiri of progress and prosperity mark Mo , bile's celebration of the 200th ami versary of the founding of the cit, and not in all the years since the rule of the Aborigines was disputed by z foreign power has this section of ths southland witnessed ceremonies more brilliant or exercises more impressive Distinguished representatives of the nations whose flag has flown over the historic city of Mobile; high naval of ficials with hundreds of magnifcently trained men representing the govern ment of the United States; governors of states and an imposing array of ec- lesiastic and civic officials with thous- ands of visitors from every section of the south, give the celebration na- tional significance, while the keynote of optimism in all the addresses strengthened the conviction of future greatness for Alabama's only seaport.
 Recognizing the importance of the event New York motion picture men were here and pictures were taken of every phase of the big celebration. which will be later shown in every section of the country. The signal flashed from Washington by President Taft turned in alarms ct every fire station In the city, released the horses, and a few seconds later the entire de- partment with the exception of the emergency reserve took it's position in the line of march of the great parade which marched around the limits of the old French city, stopping at the corners where appropriate markers had been erected and where simple cere- monies were conducted. Tonight the Mobile theatre was packed to the doors at the historic night" participated in by some of the ablest orators of the country and following the address an elaborate banquet was served to the members of the various committees and guests of the city in the audi torium of the Battle House, where covers were laid for 250. The celebra- tion will conclude tomorrow with an automobile parade in the morning and a reception at night by the Mobile Yacht club to the city's guests
 Mobiles celebration of the 200th ami yersary of the founding of the city, which began yesterday with parades, started promptly at 10 o'clock this morn- ing with the signal from the fire alarm tower, which was rung by President Taft at Washington pushing button. A pa rade around the old French limits of Mo- bile, which are marked by tablets and markers, participated in by all the civic 1fzpf fiNr1c T.f ,.l.t from the public schools, together with 300 bluejackets and marines from the battleship fleet stationed at Pensacola. Rear Admiral Ward with Rear Admiral Lucien Young were in command of the battleship squadron. A tablet was un- yelled on the city hall. which was the old French Place Royal, in commemora- ton of todays event. The programme today will conclude with addresses deiv- cred by Hon. Emmett O'Neal, governor, and Dr. Alcee Fortrier of the Tulane uni versity, New Orleans. There are a num- Der of visitors in the city and the invited guests and officers of the battleship will be entertained with banquet tonight. five flags under which the city has been governed were represented in the parade by young women dressed to represent the different nations.
 Having survived the failure of four flags, Mobile continues to prosper and grow more beautiful under the present one,' was President Tafts message of felicitation.