THE GREAT WHITE FLEET.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9173, 24 August 1908, Page 5

THE GREAT WHITE FLEET.

NATURAL ALLIES. AN AUSTRALIAN NAVY. ' SYDNEY, August 22. The guests at the State banquet numbered a thousand. Mr Wade, State Premier, in proposing the toast "King and President," said the feeling of kinship between the United States and Britain was growing; stronger year by year. The British were only too willing to regard their friends across the Atlantic as natural allies. Mr Deakin, Federal Prime Minister, in proposing the health of Lord Northcote, paid a glowing farewell tribute to the departing GovernorGeneral. Continuing, he described the fleet as harbingers of peace, bringing to Australia a message of confidence and carrying throughout the world an assurance of strength. No other flag would have received a welcome like th t being tendered on this occasion. Lord Northcote, replying, said he believed such visits only required devel pment to become an important factor in the peace and progress of the world. He hoped the time would come when the Australian squadron would be able to return the visit of the American fleet. Admiral Sir Harry Rawsori, the State Governor, said the flags of America and Britain were entwined, and he hoped they would always be on the same side. Admiral operry, replying to the toast "Our Guest," said that their welcome had been cordial and enthusiastic beyond measure. Evidently it was from the people, from their representatives, and from the rep:esentatives of the King, and back of all was kinship," common interests, and common Christianity. He hoped the ties, which were strong as steel, would become stronger and more numerous. Admiral Sperry proposed "The British Navy." Admiral Sir R. replying, attributed the enthusiasm and friendship to the interests of the two nations being almost identical, because each was strong and respected e'cri other's strength, and because of their united efforts in the direction of peace. Mr Deakin, responding to the toast of "The Commonwealth," said he looked forward to the day when from our harbour would go forth a fleet worthy to be compared with the magnificent squadron which had reached Australasian shores. A CHURCH PARADE. Received August 24, 1.3 a.m. SYDNEY, August 23. To-day was quiet, so far as the fleet was concerned. The chief function was a church parade of the Commonwealth naval and military forces at Centennial Park. The Governor (Sir Harry Rawson) presented the colours to the Second Infantry Regiment. Over 70,000 spectators were present, including a goodly number of American visitors. '. Many churches arranged special services, extending invitations to, the i fleet. < Over 800 officers and men attended ' High Masa at St. Mark's Cathedral. i 1 PRESS COMMENT. ' i 1 Received August"23, 6.30 p.m. j NEW YORK, August 23 ] Some American newspaper? are inclined to exploit the-visit of the Fleet to Australia politically in a sense hostile to the Anglo-Japanese ; treaty. "The Sun" remarks that 'when ' Australia says "hands across the sea" she means across the sea to ■ America not to the Motherland. ■ "The Sun" adds:—"The occasion shows that the Australians are fly ing ' in the face of the Imperial policy." Other newspapers declare that in the event of any ultimate quarrel between Britain and Japan, involving thp integrity of Australasian territory America will not interfere." LONDON, August 22. The " Daily Telegraph" comments on the total absence of European battleships in the Pacific. Admiral Sperry'a ships are an object lssson to Australians in the cost of battleships. Australia's naval interests at any rate for the present cam best be secure 1 by a generous contribution towards the maintenance of the British navy, which is powerful to protect her even though there are no British battleships to be seen in an Australian port. Moreover, continues the "Daily Telegraph," we have no right to doubt that the thorny Asiatic question can be settled in perfectly honourable terms. President Roosevelt's reference to the cruise as one of peace and justice has the same meaning as Mr A. Deakin's happy Dhrase "the harbingers of arbitration." The battleships can best perform the latter duty when they reach the Japanese waters and find the magnificence of the welcome far exceeding expectations. Received August 23, 4.15 p.m,. SYDNEY, August 22. The officers and man of the fleet were entertained at various outdoor sports held in their honour to-day. In the evening the harbour presented a magnificent spectacle. The night was dark and cloudy. All the ships, British and American, were illuminated and) kept their searchlights criss-crossing, which had a weird effect, while a splendid display of fireworks was maintained. Between 300,000 and 400,000 persons witnessed the spectacle.