The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-14
PRESIDENT REVIEWS
FLEET IN PACIFIC


way under terrific pressure thousands
of people burst through and surrounded
ana followed the Presidents motor car.
In which he stood up almost constantly.
hat In hand. This did not please the
secret service men, who passed an
anxious day. The streets were full OF
persons who had cards tucked into their
nat bands: Release the political pris-
oners," and here and there were in
oiViduals OF a decidedly unpleasant
aspect, for a good many persons that
Seattle hoped could be shipped out OF
the country and who did get as far as
Ellis Island have found their way back
TO old haunts of agitation and disorder.
Inc President, who had been met at
the railroad station by Secretary Dam
lels, boarded a launch at the Canadian
Pacific docks, from which, only a few
hundred yards distant, lay the old
eattleship which led the fighting off
Santiago. He had come to the dock, It
appeared. some fifteen minutes earlier
than had been expected, with the re-
suit that when he got there his launch
was not ready. He waited with some
impatience for few minutes and then
consented to cutter a less pretentious
launch, which was duclxing up and down
along the dock wall There was no
commissioned officer in charge of the
mander Foote, took charge.
Then ensued a series of incidents
which married the perfection of Admiral
Rodman's arrangements for the recep-
ton and care of the President. Com
mander Foote, In haste to depart, with
his attention fixed upon some persons
he did not want aboard, permitted the
sailors in charge of the launch to get
away with a lurch and a swerve The
launch heeled over to a IS degree angle
SO much so that Joseph Murphy, chief
OF the Presidents secret service guard,
took jump toward the Presidents side.
Mr.. Wilson. however. kept entire pres
ence of mind and dismissed the clunsi-
ness of the launch's management with a
smile.
Two minutes later the launch coilided
with another launch with the bare avoid
ance of serious consequences to one or
the other, banged into boat which the
secretary's aid apparently overlooked
Beth episodes struck persons concerned
as rather a casual way to treat Presi-
dents. Apparently Admiral Grayson
thought so. Tor later. on the decks of the
Oregon, he was observed in serious talk
with Commander Foote, who did not look
happy.
Watches Great Fleet.
With Mrs. Wilson, Secretary and Mrs
Daniels. Mayor Fitzgerald of Seattle
ana few other persons. the President
took position upon the forward. turret
of the Oregon, the turret which did so
much to end the career Of Cervsra's
Spanish fleet, and from that eminence,
as the Oregon ranged up the sound, he
watched the great new fleet that Rod
man brought through the canal and
American sci az in
The day was perfect for the celebra-
ton; bright sunlight, just a breeze whip
ping up the blue water to caps of white
and swapping the national flag and the
gay signal flags that dressed the gray
lighters. Overhead sailed a biplane ana
hydroairplane. the former a beautiful
hier. swooping so close to the Oregon
mat the President could clearly make
out the features of the pilot.
Under way at a few minutes before
o'clock the Oregon travelled along the
whole line, receiving first the salute
or the New Mexico. Rodmans flagship,
end then taking the flash bang OF the
salutes froms the Mississippi the Idaho
the Texas. the New York and all the rest
or the big war boats. Presently the
birmingham came into vision leading
her string Of speed burners. led them
in circle around the Oregon and passed
on again out or sight into the mibts
of the western horizon
Much OF this inspiring naval picture
was seen by massed thousands ashore
by thousands. indeed, who had never
in their lives looked upon a warship.
Many Of the people In Seattle for the
review had come from 200 miles inland
for the kind of spectacle that New York
Is SO intimately familiar with. Their
interest in the ships and in the Presi-
dents visit to the fleet was an eager
interest rarely seen in the East
The President returned to shore at
40 p. NJ. and was driven Immediately
to the New Washington Hotel, passing 1
again through enormous crowds that
hailed him Vociefrollsly