The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1914-06-23
WILSON TO HEAD
MIGHTY ARMADA
Program For Big Naval Show
at Panama Canal.
WARSHIPS OF MANY NATIONS

Stand on Bridge of the Historic
to ocean-Dreadnought New York to
Convey Him From Hampton Roads.
The fleet of warships, representing
the nations of the world, which will
pass through the Panama canal at its
formal opening next March will be led
by the famous old battleship Oregon,
with President Wilson on the bridge.
When the feet has passed through the
canal It will steam northward to the
Golden Gate and will attend the Pana-
ma-Pacifc exposition at San Fran
cisco.
The president has determined now to
do full honor to the exposition by max
ing his advent upon the scene at the
head of an armada the like OF which
the world has never seen. Also he will
redeem his long standing promise to
Colonel George w. Goethals by not only
visiting but formally opening the great
Panama canal. He will make his pas
sage through that waterway on the
battleship Oregon, standing shoulder
TO shoulder with Rear Admiral Charles
Il. Clark, retired, who captained the
ironclad on her famous Spanish war
cruise circumnavigating South Ameri-
ca. Also on the Oregon will be most
of the members OF President Wilson's
cabinet.
The president, according to the pres
ent program, Will leave Washington
for Hampton Roads, accompanied by
his official family. on the yacht May
flower on March 8, 1915. The inter
national feet will have been gathering
In the Roads since Jan. /.
Other Nations to Send Ships.
So far nine of the maritime countries
have signiied their intention to take
part In the great naval parade through
the canal, and 1t is certain there will
be other participants announced before
the end of the year. The countries that
already have accepted are the Argen-
tine Republic, Cuba, France, Germany.
Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Portugal
and Russia.
The entire Atlantic fleet OF the Amer
ican navy will form the nucleus
around which the international naval
forces will gather. The officers and
men of the feet will be the nations
guests and will make excursions from
Hampton Roads to the capital and to
nearby eastern cities while arrange
ments are being made for the long
cruise from Chesapeake bay to the
Golden Gate.
After the ceremonies at Hampton
Roads the president will take up his
quarters on the great super.Dread-
nought New York, which will be at that
time the most formidable vessel in
commission in the world. Then the
start will be made for Colon. with the
New York leading. The ships will form
a column many miles in length, for 1t
is estimated that there will be between
eighty and a hundred ships in the pro-
cession. Most of these will be OF the
most modern type.
Short Delay at Colon.
Arriving at Colon within a week
\ thtio Wal NC q uctag VI a NObHlC VI
days while arrangements are being
made to pass the vessels through the
canal This will be done with all cere-
mony, the line being headed by the
ancient steam launch Louise. the gift
of the American government to the
government OF France. The Oregon is
to follow with the presidential party,
including Admiral Clark, the cabinet.
members of the senate and house
Of representatives and distinguished
guests.
Allowing one hours time for the pas
sage through the locks OF each ship,
and a day for its transit through the
canal, the whole feet should be trans
ferred from the Atlantic to the Pacific
In the curse Of about four days.
When the many ships have made the
passage and have anchored I'm Panama
bay fresh supplies of coal. oil and pro-
visions will be taken aboard, and the
procession will start for the north. It
is probable a short stop VIII be made
at San Diego, Cal, to do honor to the
Panama California exposition in prog
ress at that place In connection with
the canal celebration.
If all goes well the first vessels of the
' international feet should pass through
the Golden Gate by April Is, 1915, and
the gathering of fighting craft in San
Francisco bay, where other warships
will have arrived. will be one of the
mightiest ever seen.
Just how long the president will re-
main In San Francisco and his plans
been determined.