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Show CHILE VJARMLY WELCOMES FLEET Cordial Greetings Exchanged at Capital of South American Amer-ican Republic SANTIAGO, Chile, Feb. J. Admiral Hugh. Rodman and the higher officer! of the United States Pacific fleet, which la at anchor at Valparaiso, were guests of honor at a banouet lvn la thia city last nlgbt by President Ales-sandrl Ales-sandrl of Chile. -The function marked the close of a busy day of receptions ' and calls of ceremony by the American Ameri-can officers. During the dinner, toasts to President Wilson and Presidentelect President-elect Hardffif were proposed, and there was exchange of felicitations between government officials and the visitors. INVITES RETURN VISIT. . Admiral Rodman, with his staff, ar-. ar-. rlycdJjere. yeaterdaynooiuJnltnieto attend a luncheon given by the North American Society of Chile. Joseph H. Shea, American ambassador. Introduced Intro-duced Admiral Rodman as the "bearer of a mesiage of friendship to Chile." Admiral Rodman, after expressing appreciation of the reception extended "the Pacific fleet and its personnel," said he spoke on high authority In ss-serUng ss-serUng It was hoped that Chilean war-ships war-ships would visit North American waters, wa-ters, where they would be received with hospitality such aa was shown the Pacific Pa-cific fleet at Valparaiso. Later, Admiral Rodman and his staff called upon President AUusandrl and members of the cabinet, who reviews a- parade of 600 sailors from the fleet. During the afternoon Ambassador Khea gave a reception at the United States embassy. NEWSPAPERS CORDIAL. Newspapers of this city are devoting devot-ing much space to the visit of the fleet and publish news from abroad In Kng-lish Kng-lish for the convenience of the officers and sailors visiting the Chilean capital. capi-tal. After extending a cordial welcome to Admiral Rodman, El Mercurto asserted as-serted : "The squadron Is a symbol of the power of a democracy which In the last war employed the strength of Its youth only to defend human ideals, reestablish re-establish the equilibrium of Justice and give assurance that liberty might prevail. pre-vail. Htrength so employed Is a guaranty guar-anty for the weak and a promise for all humanity. ' Chileans know the traditions tra-ditions of Washington and Lincoln are alive." GRACEFUL TRIBUTE. . After reviewing the para.dr-rrom the government house. President Alea-sandrl Alea-sandrl turned to Admiral Rodman and said: "Although It Is not within our diplomats dip-lomats procedur for the president of the republic to make a speech, after seeing the flag of my country saluted through the playing of the national anthem by a band from the t'nlted States fleet, I cannot resist the desire to express the hope that th constellation In the North American Amer-ican flag may continue spreading Its powerful rays of light for the material mate-rial and moral progress of the world and that under the light of those rays the new humanity will be fused In universal harmony and fraternity." PRAISES FLEET. j At uut night's banquet, ivarm trio-ute trio-ute was paid the United States navy in a speech by Carloa Hllva Cru, mln.ster of war and marine. I "It was these," he said, "'hat made possible the unprecedented nautical feat, the world cruise of the United I States battleship fleet and the transportation trans-portation o S.000.000 men to Europe, without appreciable losses. In the face of the submarine warfare. Now the most powerful squadron that over has visited our waters comes on a mission of friendship which the Chilean Chil-ean government and people and the Chilean navy value to the full In Its t significance." ; ADMIRAL REPLIE& Admiral Rodman, in .eply. ci pressed gratitude for tho reception that had been given the fleet. He said be had been Instructed to cultivate culti-vate the most cardial relations, but that upon hli arrival be had found that a deep friendship already existed. "When 1 return," he added. "It will be my pleasure to report to my government gov-ernment vour sentiments oi friendship friend-ship and your splendid hospltalltv.' |