Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-26

Continued fron PAGE One
tion which marked the end Of the long
and stormy voyage from foreign wa
ters.
10000 Sailors Parade
Ten thousand sailors were hurried
ashore in launches after the dread
noughts had reached their points Of
anchorage. and assemo pred for parade.
which took them through Fifth avenue
one of the most brilliant parades in
the history OF this thoroughfare of
memorable ceremonies of this character.
They were led by Secretary Daniels
himself and the feet commander, Ad-
miral Mayo, riding in an automobile.
and Admiral Rodman on foot.
Admiral Beatty, commander Of Great
Britain's grand fleet. when he bade the
American ships farewell. spoke Of his
comrades of the mist" and of their
returning to shores where he vas told
the sun always shines" At dawn to-
day, when the returned vessels raised
their anchors after an overnight pause
off the Ambrose Channel lightship. it
was as II the old North Sea, reluctant
to part with American fighters, had
waited it's own kind Of weather across
the Atlantic as memory token Of the
long watch they had kept on her stormy
waters
Through snowy weather so thick that
sometimes the shore observers. standing
patiently in a cold northwest wind, could
hardly discern the ghostly battlecraft.
the fag-adorned fleet passed cautiously
through the narrows. at Quarantine into
their haven OF welcome.
In the wireless room OF the waiting
Mayfower Secretary Daniels engaged in
a wireless conversation with Admiral
Mayo. the fleets commander. who was
on his flagship. the Pennsylvania. hfth
ship in this line of battle led by the
Arizona.
Il wish You and Mrs. Mayo and your
officers and their wives merry Christ
mas" the Secretary said in radio
message.
Il am sorry to have brought the snow
with me. but am here on time" replied
Admiral Mayo
Il knew YOU would be on time" was
the Secretary's immediate response.
You always are"
Hanging up the receiver OF the wire
less telephone--for naval officers had
arranged that the returning admiral and
his associate officers, who were listen
ing IN should hear the voice OF their
civilian chief extending a welcome home
Secretary Daniels stepped forth from
the Mayhower wireless room Just in
time to observe the Arizona looming
through the snow. He and Secretary
Baker made their way to the bridge and
reviewed the battleshlps as they passed
by.
DoughbOys Cheer Civilian Chief
When the Florida, the last in line.
hFd gone into the Hudson. with her
homecoming pennant fluttering in the
breeze, the Saxonia, British transport
bringing home American wounded hove
Into sight from quarantine A sailor
wig-wagged to the SaXonia the ''compl-
ments of the Secretary OF War and the
Secretary Of the Navy" The doughboys
/ informed of the greeting, crowded the
rails and cheered. while the Mayfowers
band played the national anthem.
! The Mayfower then took up the wake
made by the feet through the Hudson
and anchored off Ninety-sixth street.
There Admiral Mayo, Vice Admiral
Grant, OF the home fleet, and Vice Ad-
mirals Rodman and Rodgers, OF the
overseas squadrons, with the homecom-
ing captains came aboard the May
flower. The wives of some OF these Of
ficers were awaiting them. and Secre-
tary Daniels held a reception. He pre-
scented Victor Blue. captain Of the Texas,
seventh ship in the line, with COM
mission as rear admiral and Chief of
the Bureau OF Navigation TO succeed
Rear Admiral Leigh Palmer.
Immediately afterward the official
party was taken ashore. where from a
stand erected at Forty-second street.
hub Of the clty's tranic, they watched
the blue-clad veterans, with a sprInklins
OF marines in shore service khaki, tread
home soil in parade that evoked veri-
table roars OF applause as 1t moved
| through the heart OF the metropolis