Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-01-11

Austrians were stopped at the frontie,.
and not allowed to enter because OF their
uniform. Several officers who were on
the same train hastily unpacked thei"
bags and donated civilian clothes so
that these enlisted men could visit the
homes OF their ancestors.
Every one was sorry that II was ifnper-
alive for the ships TO leave for the
states November 30. The biuejacke,.:
and officers had seen just enough OF
Europe to make them wish for more:
II is true that but few OF them had
ready money. yet all had enough for
another weeks expenses on the payrias-
ter's books.
This WAS the radio order which causet
CONSERVATION throughout the feet of nina
battleships. The first order from this
British Malta, Naples and later WILLIE
franche, did not state which ships wero
to go. Two days out OF port and In
Mediterranean 1t became known that
the Connecticut. the Kansas and thu
Ohio were the unlucky hattleships.
Here were 1850 men who had boughe
Christmas presents for their families
and friends. and made all arrangement
to attend the family board for the an
nual Christmas turkey. Without even =
chance to write home. their ships wer,
diverted from the homeward passage and
they were ordered to tour or three o.
four months duty in Mexican waters.
During this time no man goes ashore
Think of il IN contrast to their jaunts in
Italy.
Just before the three ships parted from
the rest OF the fleet several officers wcra
transferred from one ship to another. All
of the naval reserve officers on the
three ships-there were eighteen TWEEN
ty of them in the fieet--were sent to the
more fortunate battleshfps, but because
-xIr . ~.
Christmas presents intended for homs
were carried of TO Mexico.
Just before reaching Gibraltar on thu
return trip Rear Admiral Badger signaied
that there would be funeral service on
the battleship Ohio. aud that the dead
would be buried at sea
The man, a coal passer. was the victim
of a violent attack of measles, and after
but a days sickness died. As there had
been an epidemic of the disease on the
Ohio, the man was buried within three
quarters of an hour after his death. Tho
body was sewed In canVas-covered
casket, which was weighted with two five
inch shells. After short service by the
chaplain the casket draped in union
jack and the stars and stripes. was
lowered into the sea. The whole SQUAD
ron stopped. Every flag was at half
mast, ana every man, eAcept lnosc AT
ually needed below, was on deck In UNI
form and standing at attention during
the service
The burial at sea cast a gloom over the
entire fleet and brought home to many
the possibility of their meeting similar
fate.
Z
Three DAYS out the chief electrician on
the dreadnought Florida was making
rounds between decks when he discovered
n stowaway. The man. a fireman, who
had shipped from Newport News. Va. u
Naples, missed his steamer when II
sailed from that port. Being refused pas
sage on the battleship. he slowed away
1t was finally discovered that he was
doing "A regular trick of duty with the
enlisted firemen and was eating, un1e-
tected, in the regular mess.
Capt. Maxwell of the Florida allowed
him some clothes, and he was forced 10
stand a watch in the fireroom. He was
: an expert fireman and earned his PAS
sage across. At Ellis Island he was re-
ceived by the immigration officials. lie
told them that he was an American.
, Except for some very rough weather.
3 the voyage to New York proved WITHOUT
further incident The enlisted men arc
I strong in their praise of the Secretary OF
i the Navy. 1t is the first time in many
: years that the men have been allowed
9 ten days liberty in foreign ports. one
8 effect this cruise will have will be that
the percentage Of enlisted men VINO
t shin over, for a second or third four
years will be greatly increased.
: They feel that it is their due to GET one
t foreign cruise each year. and many OF
: them told the writer that they would not
mind how hard the work or how long the
, hours il they could but look forward -
some such reward again.
,