FLEET'S VISIT.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18423, 2 July 1925, Page 9

FLEET'S VISIT.

RUSH TO JOIN NAVY. UNREST IN DOMINIONS. PUBLICITY VALUE OF CRUISE. /« CABLE-raJtSS ASBOCUWOK-COPmOHT.) j( iCBTBAUA>? ASP K.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION) HONOLULU, Juno 30. Tho most popular cruise ever made by American warships into for, ?-n waters begins to-morrow, when 57 vessels, the combined Facific and Atlantic Fleets, carrying approximately 25,000 officers and'men, leave hero to visit Australia and New Zealand. Mouths before tho date of tho departure, this friendly invasion of the Uritish Commonwealth had gained universal interest, even exceeding the fame of the world tour of the American naval units in 1003, under "Fighting Bob" Erans. The present expedition holds a unique position in American naval annals, due to the appeal it has made to the personnel itself. Tho Navy Department was compelled io suspend all enlistments and re-enlistments for a, period of approximately three months to stem the flow of recruits who wanted to make this great sea trip. It is one of the finest advertisements tho Navy has ever had. The Fleet, once out to sea, will take the cruising formation of a hugo arrow nearly 10 miles Jong, with cruisers as tho point of advance, destroyers next, then auxiliaries and battleships making up the rear. The Fleot's speed will be 11 knots. This limitation is 'made necessary by ..enforced economy in fuel. ' One hundred and fifty ensigns, just graduated from, Annapolis Naval Academy, arrirod hero on June 22nd and joined various vessels of the Fleet. Their earliest active training will pre- 1 pipiiafce them into conditions of life in the: Navy as closely approaching a tjme of hostilities as possible. Three Admirals in One Ship. For tho first time in the history of the American Navy, one warship will carry three admirals, tho Seattle bear- j |ng Admiral Coontz, Rear-Admiral j Cplej Chief-of-Staff, and Rc-r-Admiral Leigh, Assistant-Ohief-of-3taff, who has. just been promoted from a captaincy, and will be Admiral Robinson's when the latter becomes Gjmpmder-iii-Chief of tho Fleet after tho-cruise. Some 20 civilians, newspaper men, magazine writers, novelists, photographers, geographers, and marine artists, and one Congressman, EepreI sentative McCUntock, will be among tho interested spectators on the Fleet, and to them will fall the task, of making a permanent record of the expedition. American Preesmen, however, 'fiave been commissioned, not only to pay attention to the activities of the •Fleet, but to 6end or bring back facts about, and descriptions of, Australia and New Zealand. Tho Fleet, in fact,, .will carry 25,000 agents to advertise Australia and New Zealand in America. These are officers and men all eager to learn about the new'uwds they are going to visit, and will carry on the beneficent propaganda upon their return. They come from ertry town and hamlet of the United gtates, where little is known concerning Australia and New Zealand $& gofipel of friendship they will pfeijioljiriH prove' effective. There is notf.fi sjiotfow of doubt that every man aboard tk* Fleet js delighted over the cruise. This sentiment is wholehearted and based not only upon the prospect of a good time, but nppn the feeling that in Australia and New Zealand thoy will find peoples much like then&elves, assuring a welcome doubly pfelfant.

holiday in Hawaii. Hawaii, during the last two months, hpsbeeh a great picnicking centre for of sailors and officers of the ; .jtynrv. Men say the American blueis happiest when fed well and worked hard and given plenty of shore liberty. This practice was followed in Honolulu, ibut the city is comparatively small to absorb so large a numfeer of men as were given liberty, although the sailors' hours ashoro were restricted to daytime, while officers received( night-leave.

An overwhelming number of the Bailors are young men in their twenties, full of spirits, and eager for fun. Yet there were remarkably few disturbances. Ships' patrols were spread throughout the city, but their work *as comparatively light, since the men *ere well behaved. The bluejackets Me now ready .to "shove off." One of the most exciting prospects for a great number of the men is the '■ of tho Equator, only a few on j each ship having crossed before. ! For weeks previous to the departure, secret meetings were held among the Po-called "shell backs,' 1 namely, individuals who have already crossed the line, at which plana wore made for "ceremonies ab King Neptune's Court. look forward with- some anxiety to the mysteries of that great monarch's domains, and stories of expiating initiation proceedings have teen'passed about to instil in the jjtamgßters a wholesome fear. Tho goaourable Davy Jones, secretarv to ;JW>g Neptune, has been busy issuing lUndry summonses and warnings. has been some talk about an organised revolt among landlubbers, *ho also include numerous officers, but P» the day when the ships are handed Over to the men revolt will bo crushed down by playful, but calloused, palms.

Sscret Sailing Orders. The slogan "Join the Navy and sco tta "ft oild" v\js a promise easily fulfilled in tins ci mse, for a minimum of 2),00Q miles will be covei•P % tlx> vessels of the Pacific FJeet, wilMhoso wits of the Atlantic fleet Taw* are to participate .will probably «ver approximately 20,000 miles before ttturju&fc to their bnse. from Honolulu w i)l fc 3 JMhe nuture 0 r a sortie, simulating TO conditions. It is supposed that an

enemy fleet is lying somewhere off Honolulu, its location being unknown. It is for this reason that the signal for raising anchors will not bo given until Admiral Coontz issues tho order. The exact order of departure, therefore, is a secret, but it is likely to como at any moment. Tho method of proceeding from Honolulu will ho as follows: —The minesweepers, Ludlow and Burns, will proceed first, brushing from tho channel between Pearl Harbour and tho sea tho theoretical mines of a theoretical enemy. Submarines will then proceed for the purpose of reconnaissance, being supported by seaplanes, of which tho -fleet carries twenty-seven. Among the last official callers aboard the Seattle before the gang-plank is up to-morrow morning will be the Japanese Consul, General Arata A old, who wii] bid the Commander-in-Chief farewell in the name of his Government. MESSAGE TO N.Z. ADMIRAL'S SPEECH AT HONOLULU. FRIENDLY FEELING RECIPROCATED. (AUSTRALIA* AKD S.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received July Ist, 9.5 p.m.) HONOLULU, Juno 30. Admiral Coontz made a farewell address at Honolulu and expressed his greetings to Australia and New Zealand over tho local radio broadcasting station. Tho commander, commenting on tho men's good behaviour, pointed out that they represented every portion of tho United States and were not to bo compared with tho old-timo sailor who was in tho vast majority of cases of foreign birth and extraction. He remarked that Honolulu was applying for tho title of mother-in-law of the Navy, so many officers had been married there in the last ten weeks, and added that the officers and crews were looking forward to their long trip to Australia and Now Zealand. ''Tho commander-in-chief," ho said, "is in almost daily communication with tho authorities in tho two countries and knows from tho friendly character ot tho messages that- groat interest is being taken by the citizens.of the Commonwealth and New Zealand Those who made the cruise around the world and visited these countries in 1908 well remember the sterling character of the people, their hospitality, and their interest in the United States fleet. The following message to the people of Australia and Now Zealand is sent through the newspapers to the Commonwealth and New Zealand from the commander-in-chief: — The officers and men of the United States Fleet have been waiting eagerly for the order of departure. They have had an enjoyable time at Honolulu, but this great journey has proved one of the most popular in the history of the navy, and they are anticipating their visit to Australia ; and New Zealand. They have heard of tho welcome being prepared for them, and they reciprocate the feeling of friendship tlvus expressed. The

cruise for many of them will mean the renewal of old acquaintances, but for most it will moan the making of new ones. That will prove a pleasant experience. (Signed) Coontz. COOPERATION IN WAR. AN ADMIRAL'S TRIBUTE. ("A»cus.") (Received July Ist, 9.35 p.m.) HONOLULU, Juno 30. Admiral Rodman, in an interview, said the United States planned to send a fleet on a viait of courtesy to Australia in 1015, but the outbreak of tho war cancelled tho plans. Ho pointed out that when the American Fleet co-operated \vith Earl Beatty in tho North Sea tho British put all their resources at the command of the Americans, even their secret codes. The co-operation of tho British and American Fleets was perfect. Sometimes he was serving under British Admirals, and at other times British served under him. Lifelong friendships between men and officers wcro thus formed, and these, like the present cruise, were even more valuable than treaties for tho maintenance of Anglo-American friendship.

PROBLEM IN ETIQUETTE. PROHIBITION COMPLICATION. (special to "ihb pbess.") AUCKLAND, July 1. The entertainment of the officers and men of tho United States Fleet which is to visit Auckland during August will present many problems to those who have the arrangements in hand, but tho question of having liquor available for tho visitors at certain functions is the one that will cause tho most thought. The matter was briefly considered at a meeting of the Auckland Reception Committee this afternoon, when communications were received from the Congregational Union and Seventh Day Adventists suggesting that as Prohibition was the law of tho United States no in toxicating liquors should bo offered or supplied to the men of the Fleet. The Mayor (Mr O. Baildon) said.there had never been liquor at civic functions in tho Town Hall. Miss Mowbray said that at the Victoria and Navy League 's ball, to bo held in tho Town Hall, there would be a claret cup and a certain amount of whisky for the older men, and it would be for those who did not desire it to refuse. Mr J. W. Court suggested that the Admiral should be eoinir.-.:iipated with, in order to learn his -wishes in the matter, but Mr A. G. Luim thought that the city should tender the ordinary hospitality. Mr B. M. Brasted: It might not be etiquette to offer them liquor. Mr Lunn: Hospitality consists in giving the best that the city has. The matter was not further pursued, the two letters being received.

(Continued at foot of next column.)

LOCAL ENTERTAINMENT. HARBOUR BOARD GRANTS £IOO. The coming visit of part of the American Fleet to Lyttelton was discussed at yesterday's meeting of the Lyttelton Harbour Board, the subject being introduced by the chairman, Mr W. J. Walter, who said that the Board would have to assist in the entertainment of the men.. Ho moved that the sum of £IOO be granted to the Entertainment Committee at Christchuruk. The motion was. seconded by Mr H. Holland.

Mr F. Horrell moved as an amendment that the slim of £SO bo granted. He said the Board was already placing tho facilities of the port at the disposal of the squadron free of cost. Mr J- Storry: Wo were very anxious in trying to get them here. We must not be niggardly. Mr W. Jv. Mi-Alpine, les, we invited them to come. The .chairman remarked that tuo Auckland Harbour Board was voting £2500. , , The amendment was not seconded, and the motion was carried. Questioned by members as to whether arrangements were being made for tno accommodation of tho public who would bo expected at Lyttelton to see the warships, the secretary said the necessary arrangements were in hand. He did not think that the public would be allowed on the Gladstone Pier, however, as it was still under repair, and would be dangerous. In© public would have ample opportunity of visiting the other vessels, wkicii were all of the same type. The Harbourmaster (Captain 1. MHunter) has arranged to berth the vessels "as follows:—Four at the Gladatone Pier, two at No. 1 breastwork, four at No. 2 east, four at No. 3 we s t> and the supply ship at No. 3 cast. Tins arrangement was approved of at a previous meeting of the Board, and provides for the berthing of fourteen destroyers. As only twelve are coming a slight rearrangement is necessary, and probably only two will be berthed at tho Gladstone Pier.