CALLAO AWAITS EVANS
PREPARES TO WELCOME THE BATTLESHIPS
LIMA, Peru, February 17- Great preparations are being concluded here and at Callao for the reception of the American battleship fleet, which is due to arrive at Callao probably Wednesday, unless Rear Admiral Evans forces the speed off the warships and makes up part of the time lost at Punta Arenas, and before the fleet reached that port, in which event it is possible the battleships may reach Callao Tuesday, the date originally fixed for their arrival. The government has issued orders that Rear Admiral Evans be paid the honors due a vice admiral, a courtesy which was extended to him at Rio de Janeiro and Punta Arenas.
Will Visit President Pardo
The program for this entertainment of the officers includes a reception by Mr. Fanning, head of the firm Og Grace & Co., Mr. Channing of the Cerro de Pasco Mining Company and Julius East. There will also include a number of boat races in the bay, in which it is expected that crews from the warships will take part.
Friday, Admiral Evans and the members of his staff will come to Lima and visit President Pardo. Saturday President Pardo will give a banquet in the Exposition building in commemoration of Washington’s Birthday. The guests will include Admiral Evans and 250 officers of the fleet, the high government officials and a number of Peruvian military and naval officers.
Will See a Bullfight
Monday a bullfight will be given, to which 5,000 of the American sailors and 600 officers will be invited. Tuesday there will be an excursion to Mount Meigs, the party traveling by special trains. Wednesday, the American minister, Leslie Combs, will give a reception at the legation. Thursday, Gen. Pedro Muniz, reception at the Exposition building, to which 600 of the American officers will be invited. Friday night a ball will be given at the Naval Club, the guests at which will include 300 naval officers. Saturday Admiral Evans will give a reception on board his flagship, the Connecticut, and invitations for this function will be in great demand. It is expected that some of the American warships will be thrown open for inspection of the public. Everybody is on the qui vive for the coming of the fleet.
BATTLESHIPS STEAM AWAY
CALLO, February 29.-- The American fleet sailed today for Magdalena bay in lower California, a territory of Mexico. Signals went up from the Connecticut, the flagship, this morning, and shortly afterward the battleships were steaming slowly out to the ocean for the long run to their next stopping place.
The Fleet described a semicircle, the great white ships moving to the southwest, and when they passed the Peruvian cruiser Almirante Grau, from which President Pardo and the officials of the state viewed the departure, each of the warships fired a salute of twenty-one guns. The cruiser replied when the Connecticut was passing, and there was a dipping of flags from the other vessels in the harbor and a ringing farewell from the thousands who had gathered to watch the ships of a friendly nation as they swung majestically out to the open sea.
Friendly Sentiments
The steamer Cachapoal, crowded with spectators, accompanied the fleet some distance from shore, but as the battleships gathered speed she was left astern with the enthusiastic Peruvians still watching and waving flags and handkerchiefs. Thousands of sightseers on points of vantage on land witnessed the magnificent and imposing scene.
The newspapers both at Lima and Callao are full of expressions of regret at the departure of the visitors and they point out that President Pardo voiced the sentiments of all the people when on his visit to Rear Admirals Evans yesterday he said that the attentions shown the fleet were "a spontaneous demonstration of the sincere and old friendship which unites the two countries." |
 
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SQUADRON ARRIVES AT CALLAO
CALLAO, February 20, 7:45 AM. - The American battleship fleet has just been sighted off this port.
The latest wireless dispatch from Connecticut says that Rear Admiral Evans is still in poor health and that Rear Admiral Charles M. Thomas, commander of the second squadron and third division of the fleet, has assumed charge of the vessels.
WHOLE CITY TURNS OUT TO WELCOME SHIPS AND HOLIDAY IS PROCLAIMED
LIMA, February 20 - The United States battleship, squadron was sighted from Callao harbor just before 8 a.m. today, and an hour later steamed into port, the ships in single file and fluttering with bunting, while the guns thundered an exchange of salutes with the forts ashore.
There was never such a turnout in Callao as greeted the visiting men-of-war. Between the hour when the first signal was given of the fleet’s approach and that at which the ships entered the harbor, there was plenty of time for every one to hurry to the waterfront, and, form the throng, few men, women, or children, who could walk, missed the opportunity.
The streets are brilliantly decorated, thousands have been pouring into the city from the surrounding towns and rural districts and every craft in Callao is in service, carrying parties of sightseers between the shore and the American war craft.
Today is a holiday in honor of the visitors and a proclamation has also been issued suspending all business Saturday – Washington’s Birthday – when especially elaborate celebrations are scheduled.
The fleet could have reached Callao with its escort, the Peruvian cruiser Bolognesi, by midnight, but rather than disappoint the people by a night entrance, speed was reduced from ten to eight knots.
Admiral Evans is still too ill to leave his cabin, and Admiral Thomas, of the second squadron, and third division of the fleet is temporarily in command.
LIMA THE BEAUTIFUL
To reach Callao the fleet has traveled almost 10,000 miles, has weathered the dangerous Magellan and felt the bite of the Antarctic in summer. Now the battleships have risen to tropical climates again. Callao is about 10 degrees below the equator and longitudinally is almost due south from New York. Callao is the seaport of the Island of San Lorenzo, with a background of the lofty, snow-crested Andes. Off San Lorenzo is the Palominos group of islands, where there is a lighthouse visible eighteen miles at sea.
Callao, while its foundation dates back to 1536, is a modern city in marine equipment. It has very large wharves, a floating dock that will admit vessels of 5,000 tons, and electrical cargo shifting appliances. The population is about 32,000, and the port is nine miles from Lima, where there are 150,000 people. Lima lies close to the foothills of the Andes, is 500 feet higher than Callao, and is connected with the port by two steam roads, and electrical trolley line and a fine avenue for carriages.
It is a beautiful city, with an environment of majestic scenery and enjoying a climate of perennial spring.
Lima is famed for its handsome women. There is a fashionable drive, Columbus avenida, where doubtless the American officers will review and be reviewed. Also, there will be brilliant social affairs, a bull fight or two and other celebrations in honor of the fleet’s visit.
"Approaching Utopia"
"The desirability of closer intercourse between the republic of the north and the sister republics in Central and South America is becoming daily more and more impressed on the minds of my countrymen. This banquet tonight tends to bring us more in touch with each other heightening the mutual understanding and respect, an should prove of immense advantage in widening the gates of commercial intercourse, an object earnestly to be desired. My fondest wish is Pan-American solidarity, not a theoretical phrase, but an accomplished living fact.
"Isolation and ignorance produce distrust and suspicion. Knowledge of one another and the interchange of hospitalities and close commercial intercourse, which go hand in hand in the march of civilization tend to advance us on the road to Utopia.
"The American fleet laying the hospitable waters of a country splendid in tradition will be a material aid in effecting the happy results outlined. This powerful flee four our country's defense is ready at all times for instant action, but today and in the near future, let us hope the indefinite future, it is a messenger of the most desirable human objects, peace on earth and good will to men." |
