UNITED STATES FLEET.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 246, 10 July 1908, Page 7

UNITED STATES FLEET.

N -0 ' ■ REMARKABLE WELCOME: .(BY TEIjEGRAPE —PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.) Tckio, July 8. A remarkable welcome for tho American Fleet is being planned at Yokohama. Twenty-four armoured ships and many smaller craft'will participate in the demonstration. THE RECEPTION AT 'FRISCO. A MAGNIFICENT SPECTACLE. (by TELEGRArH- —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Auckland, July 9. Tho officers of tho steamer Yedda, which has just arrived in Auckland from San Francisco, speak most enthusiastically of tho illuminations which were arranged for tho\ visit of tho American Fleet to 'Frisco. "They were magnificeut," said ono of tho officers to a representative of tho " Herald" to-day. Wo were lying in tho harbour at San Francisco and witnessed the arrival of tho armada and tho welcome which it received from tho town, which gave itself up to . holi-day-making for the occasion. The fleet arrived outside the heads at night, and anchored. At noon next day the fleet proceeded in single file through the _ Golden Gates, the vast fabrics of steel coming into view one by ono. Tho whole length of tho water front was ono mass of people, and every ship in tho harbour was crowded with sightseers. In the course of a couple of hours tho most wonderful naval pageant was unfolded to the gaze of tho thousands', of spectators. Big contingents of liien from every ship came ashore to receive the civic welcome, . the bluejackets parading through 6ho streets. Tho triumph of the procession was a large model of the Connecticut, perfect in every detail, even to the guns. This model was drawn by ten horses, and was manned by children dressed as. officers and men in correct naval uniform. Tho scene at night was ono of of fairyland. Tho fleet was outlined in many coloured lights, funnels, masts, and the body of the ships showing lip their graceful lines. I witnessed the Jubilee Review in. tho English Channel, but I do not think-the scene approached this entrancing spectacle. Along the water-front there was also ono continuous lino of light. Tho biggest electrical illumination ever prepared was fixed along the front. This was tho word 'Welcome' carried out with thousands of electric lights. You may imagino tho effect when I tell you that each letter was 25 feet in length. Tho ferry building was ono mass of electric lights, the principal decoration being a great 'Stars and Stripc6,' beautifully carried out in blue, red, ■ and white." (BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Auckland, July 9. In reply to inquiries by Mr. W. A. Prickett (American Consul-General) relative to tho supply of coal and provisions at Auckland, tho Stato Department- at Washington has r repliod enclosing the following letter from the Navy Departmentlt is not likely that any coal will bo purchased by tho floot : while in Now Zealand, as tho Department contemplates sending the ncoessary amount in chartered colliors. Two supply ships will accompany tho fleet and provisions in largo ,' quantities will not be required by tho vessels pn route." Tho Stato Department has, however, referred Mr. Prickett's letter to Ad- •. miral Sperry.