THE ROYAL TOUR.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 April 1920, Page 5

THE ROYAL TOUR.

THE SAN DIEGO VISIT. WARM AMERICAN RECEPTION. By Telejp-aph— Press Assn.—Copyr'jht. San Francisco, April 7. A squadron of eight American seaplanes, flying i n t: ne formation of a flock of wild ducks, came out of the morning mist lo greet the Renown off San Diego to-day, far ahead of the flotilla of six destroyers, and swept down, parting into two linos, and took positions three on each side of the battle cruiser. Next came 14 military airplanes manoeuvring with beautiful precision directly overhead. It was a most impressive and dramatic reception. The Prince was on the bridge of the Renown at an early hour, and was immensely interested and pleased. The Renown saluted the Americans Ivy gun-fire, and the Shore batteries replied. San Diego is an important destroyer and naval base of the American Pacific Fleet, which is represented by the flagship New Mexico. Admiral Wells is base commandant, and Vice-Admiral WilHams aeting-Comttiander-m-Chief of the Pacific Fleet. Captain Williard, of the New Mexico, boarded the Renown, and was received by the Prince and staff, who afterwards returned the call and lunched on the New Mexico.

The Prince made his official landing in San Diego in the afternoon, and received a tumultous welcome from n gathering of citizens, the Hon. William Stephens, Governor of California, and Mr. Wilde, Mayor of San Diego, leading the proceedings. Gathered near the jetty were 70 British war veterans who were domiciled in California, and who rushed to the war at its outbreak and abandoned their ae-1 quired American nationality. There were also a number of Canadian soldiers and two Australians, veterans of former British wars, present, including one from Indian Mutiny days. The Prince made his official landing with the veterans amid scenes of intense enthusiasm. There was a procession of motors to an immense stadium, resembling the Roman Coliseum, holding 50,000. Governor Stephens, Mayor Wildo and other officials welcomed the Prince, whb replied through an electrically operated, megaphone, termed ''magna vox," making every word audible to the whole audi-

The Prince expressed his thanks for the most cordia' welcome. San Diego was the first part of the American west he had visited, and he was very proud to be greeted and escorted by destroyers and airplanes. He was much delighted with California, and especially interested in meeting so many British war veterans. „

Mr. Carnegie Ross, Consul-General at San Francisco, Mr. G. D. Gerard, Consul at San Diego, and Commodore Charlton, British naval attache, took a prominent part in the welcome proceedings. A FINE SPECTACLE. NOVEL SPEECH-MAKING. Received April 0, 2.20 p.m. San Francisco, April S. The scene at the Stadium presented elements both grandiose and bizare. The Stadium is an immense open-air theatre, surrounded by tail pillars, and the seats are in tiers, which contained many thousands of people, >vhile a circular racing track runs between the rising tiers of seats and a central enclosure. The Prince, with the Governor and the Mayor of San Diego, followed by a procession of cars, drove round the track, which was lined with American soldiers and sailors, who presented arms. A large pavilion at the end was profusely decked with flags. Equipped with an electric megaphone, the conditions were sufficient to daunt the most experienced speaker. The speakers foured forth a perfect Niagara of eloquence through automatic megaphones, which distributed the speeches to the furthest comers. AVhen the Prince rose, squadrons of airplanes were booming close overhead, and cinema operators were concentrating on him at close quarters, but he never flinched from the ordeal,' and talked carefully in chosen phrases of warm appreciation into a megaphone, which sent the words reverberating to all sides of the Stadiuni. In the evening the Prince attended a dinner given by the Mayor and Mrs. Wilde at the Coronado Hotel. Five hundred guests were presented afterwards at a brilliant ball.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable As3n.