THE AMERICAN FLEET

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 206, 20 August 1908, Page 3

THE AMERICAN FLEET

SYDNEY SIMMERING WITH EXCITEMENT.

Th ■. • August 19. in» city is simmering with excitement. Strenuous efforts are being made to complete the preparations beto r the arnvui ot the licet. The transportation of the eaormous crowds -to the coastline aud the narbor foreShores will tax to the utmost the train ajid steamer sir vices. A big fleet of i steamers lias been engaged to meet and escort the warships. Tile weather promises to be fins. The citv wears an ixcevdingly gay appearance. HWsU'ION OF THE FLEET. „ , _ Sydney, August 19. Better's wireless telegram lrom the ,f f' clock last ni S Ut st ates. that the fleet was that time 420 miles from Sydney. A stiff westerly frreeze was blowing, with a heavy sea ?! , y- The breeze moderating. It had caused some reduction of speed, but at eight o'elok in the evenin» the fleet speeded up to 12 knots to arrive to scheduled time.

AIMILRAL SHIMJUKNES S(}LHDKON. TO VISIT""SAMOA. Keceived 19, 10.5 p.m. London, August 19. The Daily Telegraph states that Admiral Swinburne's Squadron, consisting of six of the largest aad most modern armored cruisers and seven destroyers, flflhich will be towed through. the Straits, starts from San Francisco on .Monday for Samoa, at Germany's invitation, thence to San Diego, Magdalena, returning to San Francisco in December.

THE WEAlHfctt BEAUTIFULLY TINE. Received 20. 0.40 a.m. Sydney, August 19. Without approaching in a degree the fine display made in honor of the founding of the Commonwealth, the decorations of that portion of the city through which the procession of the American visitors will pass, have been conceived and executed in a highly artistic manner. The city to-night is undergoing a rehearsal for Friday's displays. Tens of thousands throng the streets. Most of the public buildings and private business houses are brilliantly illuminated with many-hued lamps. The weather is beautifully, fine, but cold. Lord Sorthcote forwarded by wireless the following message to Admiral Kperry, on behalf of tne Commonwealth:—"l tender a hearty welcome from the whole of its people to the 'American lieet, whidta represents so magnificently our friends and kinsmen of the United States, ana hope you have had a good voyage from New Zealand, and that on arrival you will receive an enthusiastic greeting from this part of his Majesty's Empire."

ENSIGN ROBERT EMMET. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. Ensign Hobert Emmet, o! the U.S.A. Connecticut, and a descendant of the famous Irish patriot, will, when on shore in Sydney, be the guest of his Eminence Cardinal Moran. It is estimated that ISOjOOO postcards, chiefly for America, wvre posted last week. *