Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-06-04
GERMAN BATTLESHIPs
ARE WELCOMED BY TAFT
KaiSer'S Monsters Make Inn
posing Picture as They Steam
Into Hampton Roads


FORT MONROE, Va. June, S-Presi-
dent Tafts official welcome of the visit
ing German warships here today began
a round of festivities and officiaI func-
tons that will end only when the squad
ron weighs anchor for home
The German emperor's three big fight
ing machines that have come to the
United States to return the American
fleets visit to Kiel last year came up
70 Hampton Roads from Lynn Haven bay
early this morning escorted by the ships
of Admiral winslow's third division of
the Atlantic fleet. Both squadrons roared
out a 21-gun salute as the Mayflower
steamed into the roads, with President
Taft and the German ambassador, Count
Won Bernstorff.
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 among the squad
ron for the last three days getting ready
for the reception.
a. DECKS GLISTEN. e.e
The red rust and SAT- of transatlantic
man lighters by slick coat of grey
paint Decks. holystoned and swabbed,
glistened like silver as the sun broke
through gray clouds that had threatened
dark day for the ceremonies. Every
ship had been made mt for parade day
from sfatboard strake to mizzen top and
hundreds Of multicplpred flags tapped
and fluftered in the freshening breeze.
BOATSWAINS' WHISTLES.
Just at daybreak The shriH pipe Of
the boatswain's whistles aboard the Ger
man ships announced the escort of Amer
lean ships approaching. From the bridge
of the Moltke, the German flagship, a
string of signal flags broke out and
waved a message to the Bremen and
Steeten.
Prepare to get under. way single col
umn," was the brief command Admiral
Rebeur Won Paaschewitz flashed to his
captains While the American ships
were turning about TO head up the
bay with their guests. the German ships
with anchors short up and dripping at
the bows, swung into line for the process
sion to Old Point, where the president Of
the United States was waiting.
A PRETTY PROCESSION.
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 glidded into
Hampton Roads to the scene Of the first
battle of their kind a century ago and
the ceremony of official reception pro-
,eeded.
TWO SAILOR PRINCES.
There are two sailor princes aboard the
German squadron who will be the CEN
ter of much interest. One is Prince Hen
~, of Reuss. and the other is Prince
Christian Prince Henry, however, is
not the same one who visited the United
States several years ago as the repre-
sentative of the kaiser. Neither Prince
Henry nor Prince Christian is of the
imperial family and neither represents
any official of the German government
They come merely as heutenants Of the
German navy. ..,-..
: President Taft and his party leave on
tic Mayfower later today for Washing
ton and the German Officers will follow
tomorrow after-they have been guests
of me officers and men Of the American
squadron ashore.
While the German officers are being
entertained. the German sailors will be
havinr a time with the Yankee tars in
athletic contests and other entertain
rent. When the German officers ar
rive IN Washington Tuesday there viii
Re an exchange OF official visits and
;uuncheon at the German embassy and
the Officers viii be guests at dinner
at the White House on Wednesday.
Later they return to their ships and
the squadron moves up to New York
where another round Of entertainment
is awaiting.