THE PRINCE'S TOUR
DRAMATIC RECEPTION AT SAN DIEGO . . ESCORT OF SEAPLANES AND DESTROYERS (By Telceraph-Prcss Association-Copyrlelit San Diego (California), April 8. A squadron of eight American naval seaplanes flying in'formation like a flock of wild ducks, came out of the morning mist to greet the Renown oft' San Diego to-day. Far ahead a .flotilla of six destroyers swept down, and parting into two lities ■ took up positions, three on each side of the battle-cruiser. Next cam-; . lourteen military Aeroplanes, manoeuvring with beautiful ' precision, directly overhead! It. ivas a most impressing and'dramatic'reception. The Prince was oil.the bridge of the Renown at an early--hour and was immensely interested and pleased. The. Renown saluted the -American-flag .with gun-fire •and the shore batteries replied. San Diego is an important destroyer and aircraft base for the' American Pacific fleet, which was represented by the flagship New -Mexico. '.Admiral Wells, Base' Commandant, Vice-Admiral Williams, Acting-Commander-in-Chief of the I'acilij, fleet, and Captain Williard,' of the' New' Mexico, boarded the Renown and. ivere received by the Prince and' h)9 sta:f, \fho afterwards -returned the call and lunched on the'; New Mexico. , The Prince made an official landing at San Diego iu the afternoon and received a luniultaous welcome from a gathering of citizens, the Hon. William Stephens, Governor of California, and the Mayor of .San Diego, Mr. Wilde, .leading, .the proceedings.- .Gathered near .'the, jetty ■ v/.ere • 75 British war veterans who were domiciled in California, and rushed to the war at.,tho, .outbreak,.. abandoning, tlvir acquired American nationality,, also a, number of i: Canadian. soldiers and., two Australians.....'Veterans' of former Bri-i ■tish wars/were also, present, including | one from the Indian Mutiny.-The Prince, on landing, shook, hands with, the veterans, and ainid scenes,, of., intense enthusiasm a procession of .motors drove to,the immense, stadium, resembling. the Roma;i Coliseum and' holding, 50,000. peo-. J -"pk: ~ Tna sccnb at the Stadium was wonderful. Around, the immense open-air theatre were tiers of seats, containing many thousands of people. .The Prince, witji the Governor and.the Mayor of Pan .Diego, and followed by a procession of ..ears,.drove-around, - the, racing • track, -which, was lined by American . soldiers and sailors. ,'A large pavilion at the ..end was profusely decked with flags, ' afcd was equipped with an electric mega-' phone, through .which, the Prince spoke. The conditions were/sufficient to daunt the most experienced speaker. When the Prince rose, squadrons of airplanes .went booming along close overhead, and kiiiepa operatorsconcentrated on.|him at .close quarters, but ho did not flinch at the ordeal. He .talked- carefully-chosen phrase's.of .wnriii. appreciation into the megaphone,, which" sent.his words reverberating to all sides, of the Stadium.', Hi expressed thanks for' the; most, oordinl welcome.'. San Diego .was; the'first part of„ the American. W.est he had visited. .Ho was very, proud .to be greeted, and escorted' by the' destroyers . and, aei'oplanes, and, was much delighted with California. He was especially interested in meeting so many British war veterans. •Mr. -Carnegie- Rose, Consul-General at •Sail Francisco; Mr. G. - ' D. -H; • Gerard, Consul at San Diego;-and'-■ Commodore ; Charlton, British .Naval Attache,-. took a : prominent part in. the.welcome.proceedIn the evening the .Prince attended a dinner given, by the Mayor at the Coroliado... Hotel. .Five .hundred guests, were ■present afterwards' at a brilliant ball.--Aus.-N.Z, Cable .Assr..
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Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 167, 10 April 1920, Page 7
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537THE PRINCE'S TOUR Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 167, 10 April 1920, Page 7
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