The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-06-04
aX Aanoclntad Prana-


Fort Monroe. Va, June 3.-Out on
the heaving waters of Hampton Roads
President Taft today welcomed the
great foreign fleet to American waters
when he extended the hand of friend
ship to Rear Admiral Won Rebeur-
Paschwitz, commandinF the visiting
division of the German navy. Presi-
dent Taft was met at the gangway
of the battleship Moltke by the ad-
miral and his starf. who greeted the
president Later the admiral called
upon President Taft aboard the May
flower, where he lunched. Salutes
were fired as the president made the
visit. Tonight a formal dinner was
given the German officers aboard the
dreadnaught Florida.
The German emperors three big
fighting machines that have come 10
the United States to return the Ameri-
can Seet's visit to Kiel last year, came
up to Hampton Roads from Lynn Ha-
ven Bay early this morning, escorted
by the ships of Admiral Winslow's S
third division of the Atlantic fleet.
Both squadrons roared out a twenty
one gun salute. as the Mayfiower
steamed into the roads, with Presi
dent Taft and the German ambassa-
dor, Count Won Bernstorff, aboard
Early this morning the American ships
quietly slipped their cables and headed
down the roads. The first streaks OF
dawn disclosed them gliding down the
Virginia capes to meet the visitors.
Things have been in a great hustle
aboard both squedrons for the last
three days getting ready for the re-
ception.
The red rust and salt of a trans
Atlantic voyage has been removed
from the German lighters by & slicl
coat of grey paint. Decks, holystoned
and swabbed, glistened like silver as
the sun broke through gray clouds thai
had threatened a dark day for the
ceremonies. Every ship had beer
made fit for parade day from starboard
stake to mizzen top and hundreds oi
multi -colored flags fiopped and filled
in the freshening breeze.
Just at daybreak the shrill pipe oi
the boatswain's whistles aboard the
visiting ships announced the escort OF
American ships approaching. From the
bridge of the Moltke, the German flag
ship, a string of signal flags broke
and waved a message to the Bremen
and the Steetin.
Prepare to get under way single
column" was the brief command Ad-
miral Won Rebeur- -Paschwitz flashed tc
his captains. While the the American
ships We're turning about to head uI
the bay with their guests, the German
ships, with anchors short up and
dripping at the bows, swung into line
for the procession to Old Point, where
the president of the United States was
waiting.
Stopping and dipping gently under
the impulse of their mighty engines
the ships SKINNED past the yellow
sand breaks of the capes and lower
bay, the forefoot of each big fighter
kicking up Jets Of spray. So the column
of ironclads glided into Hampton Roa dS
to the scene of the first battle of theiI
kind half a century ago and the cere-
mcE,as Of official reception proceeded.
Thera are two sailor princes aboard
.he German squadron who will be the
eerters Of much interest. One Is
Prince Henry of Reuss and the other
is Prince Christian. Prince Henry
hows-er, - not the same one who Wis
tied the F'pited States several years
ago as the representative OF rEe kaiser
Neither Prince Iierry nor Prince Chris
tan are of the inIi=':ial family and
neither represents any official Of the
Serrran gove-rlaent 'TSey come mere
! ~ rs lieCteHants Of the German navy