THE AMERICAN FLEET.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9164, 12 August 1908, Page 5

THE AMERICAN FLEET.

SAILORS SEEING THE SIGHTS. BT TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, August 11. After the imposing celebrations of yesterday, Auckland is to-day comparatively quiet. Sixteen hundred sailors of the visiting fleet are ashore having leave for the whole day. This morning a thousand were taken for tram ride's in the city and suburbs, and entertained at lunch at Onehunga and in the city. Eleven hundred were the city's guests at a matinee at His Majesty's Theatre. The Mayor and Mayoress are giving an official reception this afternoon. Further entertainments have been arranged for the eveninir, and the State ball at Government House promises to be a particulary brilliant function. A MESSAGE TO METHODISTS. FEILDING, August In. The Rev. C. E. Beecroft, president of the Methodist Conference of New Zealand has sent the following greeting to the Methodists of the American fleet:—"Lads, live up to your name!"

DEFENCE COUNCIL RECEIVED KY ADMIRAL. AUCKLAND. August 11. Admiral Sperry received the members of the Defence Council on board the flagship this morning. Colonels Robins, Collins, and Davies were present, also Lieut.-Co'onel Wolfe, officer commanding the Auckland district. This afternoon the Admiral received the Ministers, members of j Parliament and wives on hoard the Connecticut. The party went out in thi? Government steamer Tutanekai. When a Supreme Court criminal sesuion opened today, Mr Justice Edwards expressed keen regret that it was necessary for the court to sit during Fleet veek. He said he had never met a more manly, frank, unspoilt body of gentlemen than the officers of the American Navy, and "we should do our utmost to entertain them.'" He would make the duties of jurors as light as possible, to enable them to devote as much time as possible to the entertainment of their American guests.

ENTERTAINING THE VISITORS. AUCKLAND, August 11. About 3,000 mcn-o'-warsmen, mostly American, were entertained ashore to-day. Thousands were taken round trips in gaily decorated tramcars. Eleven hundred witnessed a matinee performance at His Majesty's Theatre, and others attended concerts in the evening. This morning Admiral Sperry received members of the New Zealand Council of Defence on his Flagship, and this afternoon he extended the same courtesy to the Premier, members of the Legislature and their wives. The Mayoral reception in the afternoon was largely attended, and the ball at Government House at night was crowded, and it was a brilliant function. The warships and the city were again illuminated, and the streets densely thronged throughout the evening. PRESS COMMENT. THE YELLOW PERIL. Received August 11, 10.30 p.m. NEW YORK, Augus*: 11. The American press bestow far less notice on the New Zealand reception of the fleet than the British newspapers. The "New York Herald" and "Philadelphia Inquirer" refer to the common bond that Australia especi- J ally and New Zealand have with the United States, owing to exposure to the Yellow peril. Both journals say that the whites in the Antipodes are obviously intensely pleased at the tangible evidence that the United States means to become powerful enough in the Pacific to be, if not their champion, a leader in any impending race struggle. A GREAT NAVAL ENTERPRISE. Received August 11, 10.35 p.m. LONDON, August 11. The "Daily l'elegraph" refers to the cruise as one of the greatest naval enterprises the world has ever known. Nothing but good can result from the historic incident.

• Received August 11, 10.35 p.m. NEW YORK, August 11. The "New York Herald" remarks that the American strength in the Eastern waters should do much to ensure peace.