Mr. Francis to Mr. Hay.
Athens, February 1, 1902.
Sir: I have the honor to report that the European squadron of the U. S. Navy, consisting of the U. S. S. Chicago, Albany, and Nashville, under command of Rear-Admiral Cromwell, arrived at Piraeus January 23 and remained at that port until to-day, when it sailed for Palermo.
The visit of the American war ships to Greek waters elicited much favorable comment, and Admiral Cromwell and his officers were the recipients of marked social attentions during their stay here. They were formally presented by me to their majesties the King and Queen of Greece on January 27. The following evening the annual dinner was given at the palace in honor of the United States legation, to which Admiral Cromwell and nine of his officers were invited. The King and Queen, accompanied by Prince Andreas, visited the flagship Chicago on January 31.
In conversation with the American minister Their Majesties expressed great pleasure at the presence of United States war vessels in the harbor of Piræus and said they hoped similar visits by representatives of our Navy would be more frequent in the future than they had been in the past.
I have, etc.,