New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-17
CRUISER GUARDS
THE MAYFLOWER
Brilliant Programme on
Ships and Ashore VIII
Be UnfOlded To-day.
PRESIDENT TO REVIEW
Showers May Mar Glory. but
Cannot Dampen Ardor of Citys
Thousands or Navy Men.

The admiral IN CHIEF Of Ameriess
mighty war feet, anchored in the Hud-
son, came silently and in the darkness
TO New York Harbor late last night.
No thunder Of guns welcomed him. No
one had dreamed that the President
would arrive ten hours ahead of time.
Only the wireless station at Sandy
Hook received the message which an
nounced that the Mayhower, followed
by single cruiser, was slipping
through the blsckness into the bay.
At 1l:i5 she passed Quarantine. The
wireless aerials caught the announce
ment that the President was passing
the forts, and that was all.
The call was relsyed to the men-of.
war in the river. They were taken
completely by surprise. On the DOL
phin, where Secretary Daniels spent
the night, it was said that the Presi-
Dental party had not been expected to
arrive until early in the morning. 10
had been understood earlier in the day
that the Mayfower was proceeding
slowly up the coast and would make
the entrance 10 the harbor some time
toward daybreak and lie in Gravesend
Bay until it became time 20 steam up
the river and review the feet
Shortly after midnight the Mayfow-
er dropped anchor in the North River
at a point opposite Forty-frst Street.
I Wireless messages were flashed TO the
warships anchored further up the river
announcing that the Prcsideat had ar
rived, and wireless messages OF greet
ing were flashed back from the feet.
The President decided 10 remain
aboard the Mayfower for the night.
Showers may envelop President Will
son To- day as he reviews his ships and
men. This is the Weather Bureaus
nrediction. but faint comfort is found
in the announcement that clearing and
colder weather is on the way.
It will not be until afternoon that the
great men-of-war pay their homage 70
q slim man on q tiny yacht passing be-
tween them.
nation thrilling with suspense
which awaits the click Of the cable Key
bringing from Berlin a definite answer
10 mighty message. may see some
thing more than mere display in the
men who line the rail, black fence OF
human pickets, in the signal hsgs
which so far spell only peaceful mes
sages whipping from every masthead.
in the clap of the one Founders beat
ING out the national salute Of twenty
one guns.
The great warships are perhaps less
Of spectacle to-day and more OF ter
rible fighting machines tugging at their
chains. and the light roar Of the salut-
ing guns may be regarded By some az
a mere foreword TO deeper and more
terrible noise.
Cruiser Guards President.
When the Mayfower passed Quaran-
tine il became known that she had been
conveyed from Hampton Roads by a
cruiser. the Baltimore. Secretary Dan
iels announced in Washington last
week that the Mayfower would not
have a convoy TO New York. but II
was understood last night that he had
changed his mind in order 10 be sure
of the safety of the President and his
party. After seeing the Mayfov-er
safely into the harbor last night, the
Baltimore anchored of Tompkinsville.
Plans had been made TO have the
President receive the ships officers At
3 o'clock this afternoon on the May
flower. but Secretary Daniels announced
last night that this part of the pro-
gramme had been abandoned. Instead,
the President will go from the hotel to
the Mayhower, which will then steam
around the feet.
Secretary Daniels, Secretary Lane,
Secretary Redfeld and Secretary Will
son will accompany the President. The
Dolphin, carrying wives OF officers OF
the feet, will follow the Mayhower.
II the weather continues bad the
President may return TO Washington by
tram, llSASdu VI kVthb boNN VIZ Wv
Mayhower.
Many Pray for Sunshine.
II the Mayors civilian organization
70 entertain the North Atlantic feet
had a sub committee on sunshine every
detail would have been arranged 10
make to-day a brilliant climax to New
York's outpouring OF hospitality.
May President Wilson bring far
weather with him, This is the wish
sighed in chorus By officers and men
on the battleshps and By 100000
people who expect to witness some
part Of to-day's continuous naval pro-
gramme.
Providing the weather god smiles.
Fifth Avenue will wrinkle and nap
with red. white and blue stresmers ~
600 sailors march by the President
Admiral Frank r. Fletcher and other
noted officials on the reviewing stand
in front Of the New York Public Ii
brarv. And in the afternoon seven