Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-06-04

Fort Montroe. Va, June 3.-0ut on
the waters of Hampton Roads Pres
ident Taft. today, welcomed great
foreign fleet to American waters when
he extended the hand of friendship to
Rear Admiral Won Rebeur Paschwitz.
commanding the visiting division of
the German navy.
While more than a thousand Ger
man sailors stood at attention on the
decks of the Moltke. Germanys bat
tie cruiser, President Taft boarded the
vessel. At the gangway Admiration
Rebeur Pasehwitz and his staff wait
ed to greet the Chief Executive. As
the President stepped from the lad
der he extended his hand in greet
ing to the German admiral and ex-
claimed:
Admiral. I'm glad to welcome you
and to have the opportunity of visit
ing the Moitke, one of the finest ships
I've ever seem
The President was escorted over
the German vessel the crew stand
ing at quarters. saluting as the party
passed.
AS the President left the German
warships band struck up the Star
Spangled Banner. and on the deck a
six FOUNDER barked out the q guns
of the Presidential salute. The Pres
ident, his formal call of welcome over
returned to the Mayfiower. The Amer
lean hattleship squadron, including
the new Dreadnoughts Delaware and
Utah dressed ship as the President and
the admiral exchanged courtesies.
ha1 ha Irau re-
turned to the Mayfiower than the
launch of the Moltke swung away TO
carry the German admiral to return
the call and lunch with the President
aboard the yacht. Cordial toasts were
exchanged aboard both the Mayfower
and Moltke, where President Taft
raised his glass to health Of the Ger
man Emperor and Admiral Won Re-
beur PaschwitZ toasted the President.
No speeches were made. Tonight
a formal dinner was given the officers
of the German fleet on board the
Dreadnought Florida after President
Taft had returned to Washington.
Rear Admiral Rebeur- Paschwitz de-
livered speeches
Rear Admiral Ward. addressing the
guests in German, said:
I'm the absence of the commander
in-chief of the American Atlantic
feet it becomes my pleasant duty to
welcome you on behalf OF myself and
my colleagues to the waters of this
country. / am all the more grateful
for this chance because it affords me
the opportunity to express my unfor-
gotten sense of obligation for hos
pitality extended to me during my
tour of duty as naval attache at Ber-
lin 20 years ago.
THE German navy in it's modern de-
velopment, is largely the result of the
personal efforts of single man, the
present exalted ruler of that country.
no his discerning influence we must
add the efforts of your German Navy
League, also an inspiration of ms,
which, with it's magnificent member
ship of over 1,000,e00 distributes
throughout your country an intimate
patriotic knowledge of the require
ments of your navy and the necessity
for it's existence.
with the wish that your visit To
America may be made as pleasant ana
instructive as you made my own ~
your country, / raise my glass anu
drink to the health of His Majesty, the
German Emperor.
The American and, German oihcers
rose in their places as they drank the
toast. Admiral Won Paschwitz repheu'
speaking in English. He said:
Three times | have had the GOOD TOT
tune to come to America, therefore ! 1eei
myself among friends. My first Visit III
1898 is a delightful memory 10 me.
Again in 1902 / had the opportunity 10
observe the great progress and rapid ue-
velopment OF the American navy. HOW
ever much had expected, ! was greatly
surprised to see such splendid heet as
sembled here Progress in all directions
in America has been great. but In the