Show ATTL SHiPS BEADY T SAIL PUNTA ARENAS TREATED TO AH electrical DISPLAY flashlights and twinkling lighta such as never before had been witnessed in the city 1 punta arenas straits of magellan feb 7 preparations aboard the bat tle ships and the torpedo boat destroy ars of the american atlantic fleet for their voyage through the straits of magellan into the pacific have been completed ana all K in readiness to raise the anchor when the signal to proceed is given to the flagship connecticut at 11 tonight when day breaks on sunday they will have rounded cape the extreme southern point of the southern mainland and turned their prows northwestward for tho run of miles to ahe pacific coast officers and men are today paying farewell calls to their friends on shore the official farewells will be made this afternoon the best of health prevails among the personnel of the fleet and everybody has enjoyed the stay at punta arenas senor chaigneau governor of the territory of magellan gave an official reception in honor of the visiting americans at his residence yesterday the function was a brilliant one there were four hundred guests present including john hicks the american minister to chile henry ij janes secretary of the american legation rear admiral sperry alfred A the american consul at valparaiso aleut commander alg gins the fleet engineer and locut cone commander of the torpedo boat flotilla the halls were splendidly decorated with plants and the flags of all nations the emblems of chile and of the united states being inter woven electric lights were a conspicuous feature dancing began at 10 and lasted until 3 this morning governor chaigneau led the quadrille with mrs braun wife of the american consul they were followed by minister hides with senora chaigneau admiral sampson with senora bois de chesne and admoral sperry with senora campos given on board rear admiral bvans flagship the co was a splendid success several hundred of the prominent people of punta arenas in addition to the chilean and british naval officers wore present the decks of the flagship were prettily decorated and a large space was reserved for dancing an orchestra and a band played on the deck one for dancing and tho other for intermissions the greatest enthusiasm prevailed and everybody was delighted with the cordiality and goodwill good will displayed by the americans all the ships of the fleet were gaily dressed with flags for the occasion much disappointment was expressed at the absence of rear admiral evans walle his rheumatism has improved still it did not permit him to attend the entertainment the re option continued all the afternoon thelast guests leaving the flags bla at 6 last night the people of punta arenas were treated to an electrical als play from the warships flashlights and twinkling lights of lesser nation such as never before has been witnessed here |