The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-04
MR. TAFT WELCOMES HE GERMAN FLEET President and Admiral Ex-
 change Courtesies
 BANQUET TO OFFICERS Admiral Ward, Speaking in German, D~1....- u.aItl .f lT ...o- ..d
BANQUET TO OFFICERS
Admiral Ward, Speaking in German, Proposes Health of Kaiser, and Yon Rebeur Paschwitz Re-
 spends in English

Fort Monroe Va. June 3.-Out on tho heaving waters of Hampton Roads Pres ident Taft today welcomed a great for eign fleet to American waters when he extended the hand of friendship to Rear Admiral von Reheur-P -Paschwitz, com manding the visiting division of the Ger man navy.
 While more than thousand German sailors stood at attention on the deeks of the giant Moltke. Germany's battle erlfis CT President Taft boarded the vessel. At the gangwas Admiral son Rebeur-Paseh- witz and his stan waited to greet the chief executive.
 Glad 10 Welcome Fleet
 As the President stepped from theladder that led him over the side of the MoltlSe he extended his hand in greeting to the German admiral and exclaimed.
 Admiral I'm glad to welcome you and to have an opportunity of visiting the Moltlxe, one of the finest ships I've ever seen"
 The President was escorted over the big German vessel, the crew standing at quarters, saluting as the party passed. Every part of the battle cruiser was scrubbed and holystoned. every spar and line bore it's quota of brilliant bunting, and every individual sailor was trim in holiday attire
 As the President left the Moltke the German warships' band stuck up the Star spangled Banner and on the gun deck six pounder parked out the q guns of the presidential salute
 The President, his formal call of well come over, returned to the Mayflower. A short distance away the American battle ship squadron that welcomed the visitors swung idly al anchor. Seven great ves- sells, including the new dreadnaughts Del aware and Utah, dressed ship as the Pres ident and the admiral exchanged cour- tesies
 No sooner had the President returned to the Mayaower than the launch of the Moitke swung away to carry the German admiral to return the call and take lunch con with the President aboard the yacht. Cordial toasts were exchanged aboard both the Mayf1ower and Moltke Parting Salutes Fired As the admiral left the Mayaower, the crews ot all the ships, ia double eol- umn, which the German vessels had passed up the roads, manned the rails l Down the line the booming six pound- CTS roared their parting salute out oyer 1 the broad reaches of the roads. This ended the Presidents s part in the formallties of greeting to the foreign fleet, and the head of the Mayfiower was turned up stream on the return trip to Washington. officers of the Ameri- can fleet took up the task of entertaining the visitors.
 No speeches were delivered during the visit of the President to the Moltke. but tonight a formal dinner was given fne officers of the German fleet on board tneDreadnanghts Florida. Rear Admiral Ward, commanding the American squad ron. and Rear Admiral Yon Rebeur- Faschwltz delivered speeches. Besides the German admiral the guests were Captain von Mann Commanders seebohm and yon Kroslgk Lieut.. Commanders Roshr and Prentzel, Commander Bowed, Lieuts Betz, Von Grancy and Captain Severin, commanding the Moltke Infantry regi- ment, especially invited to make the trip.
 The American officers were Rear Ad- miral Ward. Rear Admiral Winslow Cap tafns Benson Knapp. oliver Hood, Snow den. Hoogewerff, Wilson and Weles; Lieutenant Commander Sellers, Bieuten- ant Williams and Colonel Strong and Captain Howell. representing the army.
 Rear Admiral Ward addressed the guests in German.
 He said in part:
 ''The German navy, in it's modern de- yelopment Is largely the result of the personal efforts of a single man. the presentexaltedruer of that country. To his discerning influence we must add the efforts of your German navy league. also an inspiration of his. which, with its magnificent membership of over l., 1o,000, distributes throughout your coun- try an intimate patriotic knowledge of the requirements Of your navy.
 But there is another cause which as contributed perhaps as powerfully to the present enVlable efficiency of your great fleet I allude to the painstakng end unceasing efforts toward thoroughness without which no good organization ever can be perfect If it lay in my power should suggest as a motto for every man of war the Greek phrase of which you German naval men are the living exponent: Learn to walk before you try to run
 To the Emperor
 'aThe wish that your visit to America may be made as pleasant and instructive as you made my own when in your country 1 raise my glass and drink 10 the health of his majesty, the German Elm peror."
 The American and German officers rose Tn tnelr places as they ufank the toast Admiral von Rebenr- -Paschwitz replied. speaking in English. He said:
 Three times I have had the good for tune to come to America. therefore l feel myself among friends. My first visit In 1898 is, a delightful memory to me. Again in 1902 1 had an opportunity to ob- serve the great progress and rapid de- velopment of the American navy How ever much I expected I was greatly surprised to see such a splendid fleet assembled here Progress In all direc- tions in America has been great but m the navy the advance has been greater than anywhere else. Your admiral has spoken of the Emperor's interest in the German fleet but your leading men also show great interest in yours and they have forwarded it's development to its present state of efficiency and perfec- tion The visit Of your President to the Moitse shows that he also is interested in the navy. and every seaman Is glad when tho leading men display such in tsrest l thank you. Admiral Ward for your sympathy and for Germany and ask all 10 join in drinking tine health of the President
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