INDEPENDENCE DAY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16258, 8 July 1918, Page 7

INDEPENDENCE DAY.

CELEBRATION IN AMERICA*

(By Cable.—Press AitoolVioiL,—OcpyTighV) (Anati-lian and N.Z, Cable A«socUtiorJ NEW YORK, July 4. The 75,000 persons who marched in the Independence Day celebration parade included 42 races and nationalities. There were 140 floats nnd 123 bands. Two squadrons of battle 'planes dropnod a million copies of tho Star Spangled Banner" on the paraders ana sightseers. Britain was represented by' two floats in tho pageant for the first time in history. One represented England and the Colonies and Dominion armies and navy, and the other illustrated the incident at the Battle of Jutland when John Travers Corn well, the 16-vear-old boy, served a gun alone on H.M.S. Chester until he was mortally wounded. The Allied nations had representa- | tives on the reviewing stand. The parade marched up Fifth Avenue. I There were • other celebrations throughout the.United States, in which citizens of the Allied nations and the I subject nationalities of the Central Po.vers took part. The lannchings during the day included the following:— Eastern .shipyards ... ... 12 Pacific (comprising 24 steel and SO wooden ships) _ ... 54 Chicago Lakes districts ... 14 Southern shipyards ... 22 Other yards (about) ... 10 A feature of the San • Francisco lannchings was that eight destroyers were launched at 15-minute intervals. The tonnage launched on the Pacific Coast amounted to a quarter of a million.

The dnv was celebrated with tremendous enthusiasm. There were patriotic spccchos and demonstrations throughout the country. (Received July 7th, s.ff p.m.) NEW YORK, July 5. The Fourth of July was celebrated throughout the country with unprecedented enthusiasm. Tho newspapers relate America's achievements, particularly in tho matter of transport of troops and shipbuilding. Havana, Cuba, Nicaragua, and other South American Powers, declared a public holiday. Parados were hold in ovory city of America. Nearly 100 ships will be launched today, of a tonnage of 450,000; ' also 14 destroyers. Tho American shipyards i built 1622 vessels in tho past twelve months, bringing the strength of the merchant marine to more than 10,000,000 tons. Mr Newton D. Baker stated that Independence Day was a promise of an Independence Day for all mankind. "We will not retain our liberties," Mr Baker said, "if we allow Belgium to be deprived of hers." Mr J. Daniels, in a statement, says:— "We will not lay down the sword until the menace of Prussianism is wiped out. Out of the tragedy of the war will arise a peace guaranteed to all frco nations," Lord Reading said that America took up arms becauso tho freedom of the world was imperilled. There would ariso aftor the war a now Independence Day, which would be a glorious common Heritage of tho Allies. The newspapers refer to the day as an International Fourth, and predict that tho action of Britain aijd the colonies in celebrating tho day will lead to closer relations with America, and hasten the union of tho English-speak-ing peoplos. The papers emphasise America's determination to continue to increase her man-power and shipping until Germany is defeated. (Received July Bth, 12 .o? a.m.)

NEW YORK, July 5

Mr Charles 8. Bchwab, in a speech, stated that the ships launched in America on Independence Day constituted the greatest number launched on any single day in the history of the world. "When the truth percolates to the German peoplo," he said, "their loaders will he compelled to explain why they deceived them. We are going to win the war, if it takes our last man, our last ounce of strength, pur last resource, and our last dollar," Mr Schwab added. "We expect that America will build 3,000,000 tons of shipping in 1918."

AMERICA'S ANSWER TO THE

;U-BOATS

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received July Bth, 12.50 a.m.) NEW YORK, July 6. Mr J. Daniels, in a speech on Independence Day, said that when it was announced that U-boats were operating in American waters America met the challenge by despatching the greatest number of troop b that ever sailed in ohe day. "We are to-day," he said, 'launching more tonnage, than the U-boats have sunk since the war began. The recent raids on the American coaßt cost us 25,400 tons of shipping, but during the U-boats' stay here we have built 130,000 tons. Since the war began America has lost 352,000 tons, but in the same time she has built 2,700,000 tons. In addition to that figure we have launched . to-day more than 400,000 tons. The Allies' policy wiil sound the death knell of autocracy everywhere." The New York Independence Day parade was the greatest pageant ever seen in New York City. It swept unceasingly through Fifth Avenue for ten hours, with guns and armoured cars passing along the rout©, and a score of aeroplanes in battle formation overhead. One of the most striking features was the participation of 40 different nationalities. The British and Canadian displays were heartily cheered.