Arizona republican., 1921-04-29
PRESIDENT GREETS FIGHTING SHIPS OF
 ATLANTIC DIVISION
Armada, Back From Battle Maneuvers In Southern Waters, Passes In Re view In First Naval Pageant Since War

OLD POINT COMFORT, Va, April 2S-Three score fighting ships of the Atlantic division of the United States fleet returned today from battle ma nouevrs in southern waters to re- ceive their first greeting from Presi- dent Harding, the new commander in-c chief.
 From the bridge of the Yacht May flower, anchored at Thimble Light shoal, Mr. Harding reviewed the war craft as they steamed by the super dreadnaughts in the lead and the submarines bringing up the rear. It was the first time he had seen the full force under Admiral Henry B. Wilson.
 Day Damp and Musty
 The day was anything but ideal for the first naval pageant of it's kind held since the United States entered the war. Coming into the roadstead from Washington soon aft CT daybreak the Mayflower was first shrouded in mist and soon afterwards a light rain began to fall This was whipped away, however. by a high wind before smoke clouds announced the approach ofrthe fleet. With this signal the Mayflower carrying the president and his guests
 
 who had come on the naval yacht Sylph. steamed into position and an- chored with the presidents flag fly ing at her mainmast. Small craft swarmed around the presidential yacht A fleet of seaplanes and a number of army planes dipped and swooped overhead while four dir gibles that had hung lazily over the inner harbor until the Mayflower had taken station, headed out to escort Admiral Wilson's force, af few min utes after 9 o'clock, the Pennsylva- mia flying at the mainmast the flag Roosevelt, and at the foreE1ast that of Assistant Secretary of the Navy of Admiral Wilson, came abreast of the Mayflower and thundered out the presidential salute. On her quarter deck the marine guard snapped to pyesent arms and the band crashed into the opening bars of the Star Spangled Banner.
 Presidential Yacht Replies As the music and reverberation of the saluting guns died away, the May | flower replied with IT guns to Ad- miral Wilson and the national air | Ship after ship swung by the re- | viewing party with crashing guns and blaring bands, every vessel az | lIlIIl dHu llllIidIutdlC as d 5oo0 l housewife's kitchen, every man i groomed to a fine point. l The action speeded up when the | battleships had passed and the de- stroyers came sliding by. They re- sembled high spirited children frol- icking along in the wake of dignified parents. No bands blared from their l decks and they seemed to sayA"strict- l ly business" Astern of the destroy | CTS the submarines rolled in the I choppy sea, running on the surface ! with crews standing at attention on deck
 | Long before the submarines had passed, the battleships and destroy 1 CTS were at anchor in the roads
 dressing up'' for the presidents l visit to the Pennsylvania When the last submersible had passed the Mayflower steamed up be- i tween the double line of ships al anchor. now in gala attire with sig nal flags dressed over the masts from bow to stern.
 Again the president received full naval honors and again the Mayflow- CT returned each salute. When the I Mayflower was again at anchor, Ad-
 miral Wilson went aboard to pay his respects for the first time to Presi-
 dent Harding
 Ships Leave for Home Ports Il After the commander returned te
 his flagship, the president left fol
 the Pennsylvania and again he re
 ceived the 21 gun salute. On th'
 quarter deck he greeted more thar 900 officers and co'uplimented then l on the splendid appearance of thei ships.
 , This function over, the president and his party returned to the May } flower for luncheon and late in tn afternoon the yacht left for Wash } ington, where it is due early tomor
 row.
 Secretary Denby and his party re turned in the yacht Sylph, while As ] sistant Secretary Roosevelt, wh' came from Cuba with the fleet ol . the flagship, chose to embark 10 Washington in a naval seaplane. Immediately after the Mayflowe