Omaha daily bee., 1914-06-15
Executive to Take Part in Formal
Opening of Ditch, Riding on
Bridge of Oregon.
PAGEANT MANY MILES LONG
Line of Fighting Craft to Proceed
from Isthmus to Frisco.
NINE NATIONS TO PARTICIPATE
Made by Secretary
Daniels, who Has Been worIxinE
for Considerable Time 20
BrinE Program About.

WASHINGTON, June H-PresidenE
Wilson next March personally will lead
the great international fleet OF warshipa
from Hampton Roads to Colon 10 par
tlcipMe IN the formal opening Of the
Panama canal by passing through on tha
bridge OF the world-famous old bsttle-
ship Oregon as leader OF the long line
Of fighting craft of all nations and then,
after proceeding northward. enter tho
Golden Gate at the head Of this immense
armada and attend the Panama Pacific
exposition at San Francisco.
This announcement was made today by
Secretary Daniels. who has been working
long time to bring this notable pro-
gram about. Originally the president
was to go from Washington to Hampton
Roads to greet the commanders Of tho
international fleet as they arrived ana
to participate in the ceremonies sttend-
Ing upon the departure OF the vessels on
their long cruise through the North
American continent. Afterwards he was
to make the trip by rail to San Fran-
cisco to visit the exposition at some con-
venlent later date.
VIII FOrmaIIy open Canal.
The president. however. has determined
to do full honor to the exposition by
making his advent upon the scene at the
head of an armada the like OF which the
world has never seen. Also he will re-
deem his long-standing promise to Colonel
George w. Goethals by not visiting. but
formally opening the Panama canal. He
will make his passage through that
waterway on the battleship oregons
| a. x.-ftk
Admiral Charles f. Clark. retired. who
captained the Oregon In its famous
Spanish war cruise circumnavigatinH
South America. nAbcupa awirf- 1850 Be
lmost OF President wilson's cabinet
The president. according to the present
program, many details of which remain
TO be worked out. viii leave Washington
fer Hampton Roads accompanied by his
official company on the yacht Mayfiower.
March 5, 1915. The International fleet VIII
have been gathering in the roads since
January /, but the president feels obliged
to defer bis own departure until the date
mentioned because of his desire to remain
In Washington until the session Of cons
gress closes
Nine Nations 60 Take Fart.
So far nine OF the maritime countries
have signified their intention to take
part in the great naval parade through
the canal and It 10 certain there win be-
other participants announced before the
end of the year. The countries that al
ready have accepted are the Argentius
republic, Cuba, France. Germany, Great
Britain, Italy. japan, Portugual and
Russia.
The entire Atlantic fleet of the Ameri-
can navy will form the nucleus around
which the international naval forces will
gather. The officers and men Of the fleet
viii be the nations guests and will maks
excursions from Hampton Roads 20 the
apftal and to nearby eastern cities willis
arrangements are being made for the
long cruise from Chesapeake bay, 70 tho
Golden Gate.
After the ceremonies at Hampton Roads
are over the president will take up his
quarters on the super dreadnought New
York, which viii be at that time the most
formidable vessel in the world. Then this
start will be made for Colon. with the
New York leading.
VIII Be Miles Long.
The ships will form a column many
miles in length, for IL is estimated that
these will be the most modern type, and
there will be no room for laggards or
Weaklings because it is the intention that
the fleet shall proceed at full cruising
speed OF about fourteen knots.
Arriving at Colon within week there
will be a delay of couple of days while
arrangements are being made TO pass the
vessels through the canal. This will be-
done with all ceremony. the line being
headed by the ancient steam launch
Louise. the gift Of the American governs
ment to the government OF France. The
Oregon Is to follow with the party. In
cluding Admiral Clark, the cabinet. mem-
bers of the senate and house. and dis
ltinguished guests Admiral George Dewey.