The Daily News THURSDAY, APRIL 2. THE AMERICAN ARMADA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 88, 2 April 1908, Page 2

The Daily News THURSDAY, APRIL 2. THE AMERICAN ARMADA.

A few months ago the air was filled with rumors of impending war between the United States and Japan, and so strained, to all outward appearances, had the situation become that the wise and far-seeing found it difficult to understand how war could be averted. When first it was announced that it was intended to despatch an American fleet to the 'Pacific coast strong continuation was lent to the prevailing idea. It was concluded that the despatch of the fleet could be designed for no purpose save to protect the western shores from possible Japanese attack or, crossing the broad expanse, to assail the ports of the threatened enemy. Upon this assurances of the continuation of peace quickly followed. There was not to be any war such as that, apprehended, but still tile determination to despatch the ilect remained unchanged. The world has looked with interest at the slow work of preparation for a great event, the opening of a new book in history; it has watched the progress of the fleet along the eastern shores, round the tempestuous Horn and its leisurely advance along the western shore, but still the mystery attaching to the whole movement remains itnfatlioiued. The expense attaching to the whole proceeding must be enormous—even for America; yet no one has been able to say with any delinitencss what purpose is intended to be served.

The absence of a recognisable purpose become more important in view of the fact that the withdrawal of so considerable a proportion of her navy must reduce the naval defence of the eastern and, in every way, more important shore of America to a very weak condition. Happily, far removed from the dark clouds of doubt, jealousy, and intrigue that ever hang over Europe, constantly threatening to burst into Storm, the navy of America has never been so conspicuously powerful as to excite particular attention. America as a Power may be said to stand by herself, alone. Nevertheless, America—and not so very ago—has had very serious complications with European Powers. She went to war with Spain, arid she has been on the brink of a rupture with Germany. Whilst sixteen of her most powerful ships are dillydallying in the Pacific, ■what becomes of her strength in the Atlantic? This is a consideration that »nust have presented itself to her statesmen, and it emphasises the fact that in leaving their country so exposed on the east there must be some important purpose to serve in the west. Possibly America has arranged with England that, in the absence of so large a proportion of her llect from the Atlantic, the interests of the people dwelling under tin Stars and Stripes will be protected and safeguarded,

The Melbourne Age has affirmed that "America, for the first time in history, as a first-class naval Power," and if the making of a demonstration be the only purpose sought then, if it could stand the test of criticism, there can be little doubt that such a display of force would be singularly impressive. But it has been stated that throughout its long progress the ships of the licet have been served with coal by British steamers. The demonstration as a first-class l'ower has therefore served to display a very serious weakness. What is the value of a licet—in the event of a conflict with a distant foe—that cannot go far from home without the support of foreign vessels'/ It would have been more prudent to have confined the demonstration to the Atlantic and left the world to believe that in the event of war in Orient-

al waters she was quite able to sustain her fleet on any prolonged journey necessary to be made from her own resources. Except on the shores of South America Great Britain lias coaling-sta-tions in nearly every part of the world, and this bestows upon her naval power au immeasurable advantage.

The American licet is, in all probability, to visit Auckland, and it is'not at an improbable it will go as far south as Port Nicholson; thence to Australian waters. The number of ships that rounded the Horn was sixteen, Hie finest and most powerful in the American navy. At San Francisco two battleships will attach themselves to the licet, while it is expected that several armored cruisers will lend additional strength. )f, as is claimed, the voyage of the Heel is a great demonstration for America—a sensational history-making event—it is undoubtedly no ordinary visitation for the colonies, such a visitation, indeed, as fir surpasses any similar experience. It is not yet seventy years since England added these islands to her oversea dominions, and no one could ever have dreamed that within so short a period a force representing so large a proportion of a great nation's strength would be seen crowding their harbors. Colonials will remember that the Americans are their cousins; that they descend from the same 'heroic races; speak the same language; boast a common literature, cherish the same chivalrous exalted ideals; and they will extend t* them everywhere a hearty and enthusiastic welcome. Indeed, of the welcome that awaits the Americans whilst in colonial waters there cannot be the shadow ot a shade of doubt.