The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-11-03
BY Associated Press.

New York, Nov. 2.-Fresh from his
cross the continent tour of 10000
miles, President Taft today from the
wind swept bridge of the historic little
cruiser yacht May1ower reviewed the
mightiest line of fighting craft ever
assembled under the American flag.
The president had indicated in all his
speeches in advocacy of treaties for
peace, that he entertained no fond de-
lusion that war by convention could
Immediately be made a thing of the
past. He declared the treaties step
in the right direction and that the
armed camps of Europe are looking to
the United States to lead in what
might prove to be a great world
movement toward the goal of peace,
but that for long time to come the
suggestion of disarmament would have
no force.
Today President Taft let it be known
he would urge upon congress the ne
cessity of building two great super
dreadnoughts yearly until the Panama
canal is in actual operation. The ca
nal, he declared, would double the eff
ficiency of the navy, and from that
time on one battleship a year might
suffice to keep the American navy in
the forefront of the worlds military
powers.
Countless thousands of people Joined
to the five score of vessels which lay
at anchor in the Hudson. Twenty
four first class battlsships- were in
line, surrounded py aTna0reQ9s 9seruISeFS,3
scout cruisers, torpedo boats, subma-
rines and with the rank and file of
to the fleet, there were ninety mine in
all. The twenty four battleships to-
ward the close of the day picked up
their anchors and swept proudly out
to sea and the president watched the,
passing pageant in impressed silence.
REVIEW BRILLIANT.
The review was the most brilliant
in the history of the country. The
ceremonies began this morning when
the presidential flag, amid the roar Of
guns from every vessel of the fleet,
broke from the main truck of the
Mayflower. The admirals of the fleet
set out in launches to pay their re-
spects to the commander in chief of
the army and navy. Later Taft went
aboard the flagship Connecticut to re-
pay the courtesieS Of the commanding
officer.
Taft left for Hot Springs, Va, to
spend four days before going to Ten
nessee and Kentucky.
President Taft's train arrived in
Jersey City from Washington shortly
after Z o'clock and a few minutes later
he was being transferred to the May
flower. 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 cere-
monies on the Mayflower be suspend
ed. Today's events being purely off,
cial. 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 Sec
retary HiIles went aboard with Mr..
| Taft. A large party of invited guests
| including senators, representatives and
| foreign military and naval attaches
| from Washington were aboard the dis
| patch boat Dolphin, which followed in
the wake of the Mayf1ower wherever
| she went.
HEADED UP THE HUDSON.
When President Taft had taken his
place on the bridge, the Mayfower got
| under way and headed up the Hudson
| It 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 look
| out had been kept down the harboI
| and assoon as the presidential flag
was made out in the distance, the flag
| ship let go with her saluting guns
| The white puff from the first gun haC
| hardly cleared the muzzle when tht
other vessels in line, following tbs
motions of their leader, had begun the
| firing of the presidential salute o1
twenty one rounds.
| The last dying echoes of the salute
| were drifting down the river from the
far end of the line as the Mayflowel
| Continued on Third Page)