The American Fleet.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXIV, Issue 3781, 14 May 1908, Page 2

The American Fleet.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. The American Consul-General, Mr W. A. Prickitt, has received a telegram from the United States Department of State confirming the information that the American fleet will be at Auckland on August 9, and will stay till August 15. American files to hand give particulars relating to the route the fleet will traverse. From San Francisco the ships will proceed to Honolulu, a distance of 2098 miles. Then the course is to America's Samoan possessions, 2251 miles. After sailing these 4300 miles without entering alien waters, the fleet will come straight across to Auckland, a distance of 1575 miles. After leaving Auckland the fleet will visit Sydney and Melbourne. Then comes the longest stretch of the whole cruise—from Melbourne to Manila, by way of Torres Strait, a distance of 4511 miles. The route from Manila westward has not yet been definitely decided. Japan will be visited, and probably China also. In that case the distance from Manila to Hongkong and Canton would be 640 miles, and from Hongkong to Yokohama and Tokio, 1580 miles, with the necessity of doubling those distances for the return trip. There is also the possibility of a visit to Bombay. If the ships went direct home from Manila the route would be first to Singapore, 1345 miles; thence to Aden, 2113 miles. Bombay may be called at. From Aden to Suez through the Red Sea is 1310 miles. From Port Said to Gibraltar is 1906 miles, and' thence to New York 3206 miles. The distance covered by the fleet by the time it returns home will not be less than 87,000 miles, and may easily extend to more than 40,000 miles. Referring to the visit to New Zealadn and the Commonwealth, one of the American papers says that the fleet will be successively the guest of the two great Powers which are to share with the United States the ' dominance of the Pacific. The same journal, writing of the visit to Japan, declares that it is not unfitting that the fleet should visit a port of what i may be described as a great country > and people rather than a great Power —the most populous nation seated on ' the shores of the Pacific, with perhaps the greatest future possibih- ' ties.

The much-vexed question'as to how to coal the United States fleet while in the Waitemata Harbour has not quite been solved, though it is not anticipated that much difficulty will be experiencid in the undertaking. It has been urged that Wellington, through its proximity to Westport, offers better facilities for the coaling, but local experts hold that just as it could be done in Wellington it could be accomplished in Auckland. At the same time arrangements would have to be made for storage, but this is not considered a matter presenting any difficulties. It might be obviated altogether if direct discharge into the warships was adopted instead of storing, and this is a proposal that finds considerable favour with shipping men and coal merchants.