THE GREAT WHITE ARMADA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 208, 24 August 1908, Page 2

THE GREAT WHITE ARMADA.

THE STATE JUNKET. FJiLICJU'OLS SPEISUihS. Sydney, August 2ii. the guests at the state banquet numbered one thousand. -Mr. Wade, Premier of .New South Waluf), in proposing '"i'Jio King und I'residenl," said the feeling of kinship between the United States and liritaiu

was growing stronger year by year. Tlie iJritWlii Navy were only too willing to regard their friends across the Atlantic as natural cnomics.

Air. A. Deakin, Funeral Premier, in proposing Lord Korlhcote's Health, paid a glowing farewell tribute to the departing tiovcrnor-Uencral. He described the fleet as tho harbinger of peace, bringing to Australia a message of conlidenee and carrying (Jiirougnout the world the assurance of strength. A'o other flag, he said, would have received the welcome that was behg tendared on this occasion.

Lord Northeote said ho believed suciii visits .only required development to become an important factor in promoting peace and progress throughout the world. Ho hoped the time would come when the Australian squaditon would be able to return the visit.

Sir Harry Itawson said the flags of Ajmeriea and llritain were entwined, and he hoped they would always be on the same side. Admiral Sperry, replying to the toast "Our Uuests,' said their welcome had I been cordial and enthusiastic beyond measure. All was kinship, common interest, and blood and common Lnrrstianity. He hoped tiiat ties which were strong as steel would become stronger and moiv numerous. Admiral Sperry proposed "The British Navy." Admiral Poorc, in replying, said he attributed the enthusiasm and friendship shown to the tact of tike two people's interests being almost identical. Each was strong and respectedthe other's strength, and their unitedelforts were in the direction of peace. Mr. Deakin, responding iio the toast of Wio Commonwealth, said: "Wu are looking forward to the tune when from our own harbor will go forth a fleet worthy to be compared with tlrs magnificent squadron wWeh has reached Australian shores."

PRESS OPINION.

Sydney, August 22. The D.iily Telegraph, "uVnimg with the American licet banquet, says: "in truth the coming of the fleet brings new aspects in'.o the Australian outlook and giyes Australia new intertill and aspirations. The Americans have appreciated the importance of the Pacific problems which in Australia have for years been an important factor but an unrecognised one. The people of Australia are clearly aware of this and know vwll enough that tile neet would not have been authorised to visit them dad not their country been recognised in America as one of great potential importance in these seas. The visit will certainly be instrumental in awakening the Commonwealth to a proper realisation of its place in the world and the responsibilities that attach to it. The army of'men that mnrdhed through Sydney yesterday was but the advance guard of tho great forco that is essential if the Do'lttinion of the Pacific is to be' safeguarded."

EXPLOITING THE FLEET'S \ ISltt'. SENSATIONALISM IN AMERICA. .THE ANGLO-JAPANESE TREAT V.'. Received 23, 4.30 p.m. Now iork, August 23. Sojine of the American newspapers are inclined to exploit the visit politically in a seuse hostile to the AngloJapaneso Treaty. The Sun remarks: "Australia says, .'Hands across the sea,' meaning the sea to America, not to the Motherland." The Sun adds that the occasion shows that Australians are flying in the face oi the Imperial policy.

Other newspapers dec|are that in tho event of any ultimate quarrel between Britain and Japan involving Wie integrity of Australasian territory, America would not interfere.

AUSTRALIA'S NAVAL INTERESTS. POWER OF THE BRITISH FLEET. BRITISH PAPERS CRITICISM. Received 23, 4.30 p.in. London, August 22. The Daily Telegraph, commenting oil the total absence oi European battleships Irom tlhe Pacilie, says that Admiral Sperry's ships are an object lesson ito Australasians in regard/ |oo the cost of battleships. Australia's naval interests, at any rate lor the present, can, the paper says, best be secured by a generous contribution towards .the maintenance of the British Navy, which is powerful enough to protect her even though no British battleships are seen in nil Australian port. "Moreover," concludes the "Telegraph, "wo have no right to doubt that thie thorny Asiatic question can be. pitied on perfectly honorable terms. ' The great fleets of botli sides of the Pacific and leagues of ocean separating them aiv almost as good as to impose reasonable temper oa those in authority. President Roosevelt's reference to the cruise being one of peace and of justice has the same meaning as Mr. Deaki»f's 'happy phrase regarding the American warships being harbingers of arbitration. The battleship* will best perform the latter duty when they reach Japanese waters and find a mngnilicenco of welcome far exceeding expectations."

SATUIIDAK'S ENXEKTAIMMENTS. ILLUMINATIONS BYJ NltiHT. ' Received 23, 4.15 p.m. Sydney, August 23. The ilcot were entertained at various outdoor sports in their honor on Saturday. In the evening the harbor presented a magnificent spectacle. The night was dark and cloudy. All the ships, British and American, were illuminated and kept their searchlights cheek-crossing, with weird cilcct, while a Splendid display -of fireworks was maintained. Between 300,000 and 400,000 witnessed the spectacle.

YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. Received 24, 1.3 a.m. • Sydney, Last Night. To-day was quiet so "far as the fleet was concerned. The chief function was the church parade of the Commonwealth naval and military forces at Centennial Park. The Governor presented the colors to the Second Infantry Regiment. .Over seventy thousand spectators were present, including a goodly number of the American visitors. Many of the churclies arranged special services, extending invitations to members of the fleet. Over eight hundred olficers and men attended High Mass ,it Saint Mark's Cathedral. Subsequently a banquet was arranged by the Catholic community in honor o£ the visitors.