The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-06-04

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NEWPORT NEWS, VA. June s.
MOI since Georgia Day. June 80,
1907. at the jamestown exposition,
when President Theodore Roosevelt
reviewed the combined fleets Of the
world. has there been such an uproar
of cannonading in Hampton Roads as
that which attended the welcoming of
the German feet by President VIII
liam II. Taft and n squadron of Uncle
Sans finest fighting craft at Old
Point this morning. Never before
has a visiting feet of any nation In
any country been given a more hearty
or more noisy welcome. Although 1t
had been planned to have the presi-
dents yacht. the Mayfower. with
President Taft and his party aboard.
meet the incoming feet at Thimble
Shoai. the president was delayed sew
eral hours in arriving. and 1t was not
until several hours after the arrival
Of the German visitors in Hampton
Roads that Mr. Taft formally extend
ed a welcome in behalf Of the people
Of the United States.
Given Gun Salute.
Early in the morning the vessels OF
the feet. the battieship cruiser Moltke,
the new pride of the German navy,
and the cruisers Bremen and Stettin,
which have been at anchor III Lynn
haven Bay since Friday. weighed an
Choir, and, accompanied by the Amer
lean torpedo-boat destroyers. Roe and
Terry, steamed up to Old Point, where
they were saiuated by the guns of the
two divisions OF the Atlantic fleet,
under command Of Rear Admirals
Ward and Winslow. and the guns at
Fort Monroe. After the ships had
dropped anchor, Rear Admiral Re-
buer Won Paschwitz left his flagship.
the No!kte. and paid a formal call on
Rear Admiral Ward aboard the lat
ter's flagship, the Florida. He then
returned to his ship. and Rear Adj
miral Ward and Rear Admiral Wins
low formally returned the call. on
each occasion the admirais were
greeted with saiutes. first from the
Molkte and then from the Florida.
Distinguished Guests.
At 1870 clock the rMayfower.
with President Taft, Mrs. Taft. Secre-
tary OF the Navy Meyer. Secretary
Hiies, Count Won BernstorfT. the Ger
ula,n ambassador To the 1Sas.ed States;
Rear Admiral charles j. Badger Miss
Mabel Boardman and others aboard,
was sighted, AS the yacht drew up
to the fleet each of the American war
ships--the Florida, Louisiana. South
Carolina, Delaware. Kansas, North
Dakota, Utah and New Hampshire.
and a number OF torpedo boat de-
stroyers. as well as the MolSte. Stet-
tin and Bremen. each fired the presi
dental salute of twenty-one guns.
which was reechoed from the battle
ments at Fort Monroe.
| - Fine MayffoWer made complete
circle about the ships. and came to
anchor at the bow of the Molkte. The
salute was repeated as she passed
each Ship, Rear Admiral paschwit2
and his staff boarded the Mayfiower.
and were greeted by the president and
his party The company adjourned
to the saloon. Here President TAT,
proposed toast to Emperor william
This was drunk. and Admiral Pasch-
WITT in turn proposed a toast to the
president and the United States. The
Germans returned to their ships. and
later President Taft returned the cal
and more toasts were drunk He
reviewed the sailors of the Molkte
who were drawn UP in line on the
vessels deck and was heard to com
piiment Admiral Paschwitz on "his
splendid ship and splendid crew
After spending probably an hour or
the Moikte. President Taft AGAR
boarded the Mayfiower, and tonigh,
Will return to Washington.