Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-26
MISSION PAYS
VISIT TO NAVAL ACADEMY
75O Fourth Classmen Mako Magnifi-
cent Showing in Their Stalwart
Freshness and Vigor.
MARVEL AT BIG INSTITUTION
Received With Elaborate Ceremonies
and Escorted Through Principal
Buildings, Where They Sec Won
ders of Engineering Works.

WASHINGTON. August 25.-seven
hundred and nfty-four olassmen OF
tho United States Naval Academy.
young blood of tho American navy,
lined up in review to-day before Wis
count IshiL Admiral Takeshita and
others of the Japanese war commits
sion. They made a magnificent show
ing in their stalwart freshness and
vigor. The little Japanese ambau-
sador smiled sraciously and remarked.
Magnificent"
Then tho distinguished visitors we're
| escorted through all tho departments
of the academy at Annapolis, the en-
gineerinE department where modern
battleship appliances are used In
training: tho drill hall, where husky
youths were doing stunts OF coached
athletes: the barracks, where the
middies, with queer Inscriptions on
nature OF the Yankee fighting forces.
Once again the little ambassador re-
marked: Magnificent! wonderful!-
1t was viscount 1shii's first visit to
the academy; Admiral Takeshita had
been there seventeen years ago. Both
told Captain L. E. Eberle. the super
intendent OF the academy, OF their
keen appreciation of the effectiveness
and thoroughness Of American train
ing. They said the academy was the
most marvellous institution Of its kind
In the world. but they modestly re-
served to Japans similar institution
| the prize for beauty Of surroundings
and arrangements.
GREETED BY JAPANESE
NATIONAL ANTHEM
Viscount Ishii and the rest of the
delegation went over from Washing
ton early In the day. They were met
by an escort of middies. and led up
to the wide plaza, where the fourth
classmen were lined up in front of
| them. spio and span, erect and tense.
With the Stars and Stripes floating in
a brilliant sun over them. the bard
played the Japanese national anthem.
Viscount Ishii and his commissioners
! stood at salute with the American Of
tlcers.
Then Captain Eberle escorted the
little men Of the East into the won
| ders Of the Yankee naval engineering
works. He showed the latest types of
marine engines. boilers. improved ma
| chinery for closing matches electrical
ly. torpedo-boat engines in full opera
From hero tho group went Into the
library, where Japanese trophies hung;
thence into tho big auditorium, from
the ceiling of which depended flags
OF all nations--but not a single jap
anese emblem.
Where is tho Japanese hagr In
| quired the frank wondering viscount.
There is none here" was the re-
Spouse with a smile .sssSs4
None at all?'
mo; you see all OF these fiaEs were
| captured in one war or another, and
| in actions In which Americans took
part-we have never taken a Japanese
flag"
The vlscount again bcamcd won
| drously.
VISIT TO CHAPEL WHERE BODY
OF JOHN PAUL JONES LIES
From there the commissioners went
to the little shrine where hangs tho
| bronze bell presented to Commodore
Perry by the Japanese government on
the occasion Of the commanders visit
which opened Japans eyes to tho
| greatness OF the Western world.
And then they visited tho chapel where
the body OF the immortal John Paul
Jones lies.
The barracks were reached when
the future admirals were preparing
| for mess. Some Of them were un-
dressed; some half-dresscd, and others
slick and fresh. Around the floors lay
tho dirty boxes. some opened. others
closed. Inscriptions like Lady
Killer" Chief Mutt" Bone Head"
admiral Bunk" "Snipe." "BIue-Eyc
Bill" and others attracted and amused
tho Japanese commissioners.
| The drill hall, with its remarkable