THE WHITE ARMADA

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2266, 11 August 1908, Page 2

THE WHITE ARMADA

THE OFFICIAL RECEPTION. A SCENE Oh IENOOR. PRESENTATIONS FROM NEW ZEALAND. (From our Special Commissioner.) AUCKLAND, August 10. To-day I attended tho Military Hall and participated in the reception accortfod by the citizens of A uckland to tho officers of the United States fleet. It certainly was a brilliant function. "The usually bare walls of tho Drill Shod wero hidden by gorgeous decorations, anil the streamers hanging from coiling and rafters transformed it into what might well have been a scene from Fairyland. At one end of the hall, a raised platform contained an orchestra and choir. On one side a raised platform was reserved for the chief guests, and the bjply of the hail was occupied by 5000 or 0000 persons. The fair sox was strongly in evidence and, gaily arrayed ill the latest designs in dress and the most marvellous creations .in millinery, gave to the scone a splendour and beauty that is rarely seen. Beautiful women and lovely dresses were, indeed, the keynote of tho picture, which was one of rare splendor. Gentlemen, ol course, have little choice in tho matter of personal adornment, but within obvious restrictions, they certainly made the most of their opportunity. Surely such an'-array of silk hats was never before seen ill this democratic Dominion, and there was ample evidence of the utmost care ill sprucing up for the occasion. As usual with public- functions, this one was late in starting, and wo hail to wait nearly three-quarters of an hour before the whisper wont round that tho distinguished guests were arriving. The orchestra, which had played divinely in the meantime, now struck up “God Save the King,” and the crowd rose. Unfortunately, this was all -a. mistake. it was only “King” Muliutu, who passed along the aisles, and a few nv mites later the National Anthem had to be repeated is His Excellency the Governor, for whom this courtesy had been intended, arrived on tho scene. The speeches were exceptional!' good, being commcndably brief am' keyed to a commendable tone. Tin Governor seemed nervous, but delivered tho few remarks comprising his speech in a clear and forcible manner, whilst the sentiments to which he give expression were well received. The Mayor (Mr. Myers) was inclined to bo lengthy of speech, but he gave a capital oration which, though sufficiently cautious, was at the same time frankly outspoken, -and evoked considerable enthusiasm. His invocation to his hearers that though only a small country, wo New Zealanders must not rate our destiny too cheaply, was applauded, whilst h:s reference to tho friendliness existing between our people and tho Americans was promptly cheered by the officers of the fleet.

Admiral Sperry was greeted with rousing cheers. . Ho commenced speaking in a dry, slow manner, but gained in force as he proceeded, and strongly impressed the large crowd which listened intently to every word ho uttered. ;It was tho speech rather of a distinguished sailor than the conventional oratory of a politician and, as such, it carried the greater force. Just when he was getting most interesting, lie rather abruptly concluded his speech.

THE FLEET BOOM. ENORMOUS ENTHUSIASM. Tlie fleet boom is fairly launched in Auckland. To-day was a general holiday, and the streets were thronged as they have never been before. The inevitable comparison has been sought for, with the result that it is unanimously agreed that oven the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York did not arouse the interest and enthusiasm which has been caused by the presence in Auckland harbor of the White Armada. To-night the streets were illuminated, and the effect is marvellously 'brilliant. The whole scheme has been well thought out, and carried through with wonderful completeness.- The result is a scone of surprising splendor, that will remain on the minds of thoso who witness it for many years to come. Fully a mile of Queen Street is decorated and illuminated, besides the water front and some of the side streets. In its main street Aucklanders have one of the linest thoroughfares in the Dominion, and it- is surprising what a crowd it will accommodate. All the same the street was so densely thronged at eight o’clock to-night that at the wharf end one could almost have walked on the heads of the people, so closely were they wedged, the special attraction being a great- display of fireworks. Many an Aucklander, as well as thousands of visitors, landed home footsore and weary to-night. The tram system is working beautifully, but the cars cannot accommodate a quarter of the people who would like to travel on them. The result is un» fortunate. The would-be sight-seer sots off at perhaps nine in the morning to ride his threo or four miles into town. Car after car passes him full, and after hoping against hope for better luck, ho ultimately settles down to use “shanks pony” into town. The day is spent trudging through the streets and fighting his way to a decent position to see the licet. If he is very fortunate, he may get a bite of lunch in the over-crowded restaurants. ( Then lie . makes one of the crowd which aimlessly wanders up and down, -and long before o p.m. ho decides that he’ll get away home, have a rest and some tea. before venturing out to see the illuminations at night. Here, again, lie is met with the transit difficulty, and in all probability he has had quite enough ot the business by the time lie has footed the journey home. However, like a true Britisher, he sticks to his guns, and, probably accompanied by the family this time, bios him again to the city to neo the fireworks. In this event his troubles aro multiplied, for the task of keeping lrs flock together in the hurly-burly of the surging mob is something that no one can contemplate with equanimity. Many a time before lie again finds himself at home, sweet home", lie curses with fervent maledictions the tramway authorities, the American licet, and particularly himself, for being sufficient of an ass to tackle such a big contract in holi-day-making. THE GOVERNOR’S RECEPTION. A BRILLIANT GATHERING. NOTABLE SPEECHES. To-night the chief official function was the Governor’s reception, at which 800 guests were present. The Military Hall had in a Jew hours undergone another transformation, and looked what it was intended to be, a huge banquetting hall. This, like the functions of the morning, was most successfully carried out. His Excellency the Governor made an Imperialistic speech, couched in excellent terms, which evoked great enthusiasm. His statement that New Zealand viewed with genuine, hearty and undistuvbed satisfation the growing power of the American navy, was the signal for a special round of applause, whilst his tribute to Theodore Roosevelt was also the subject of an appreciative outburst. His -Excelency made a decided hit, and was cheered on resuming his seat. Sir Joseph Wil'd made a lengthy speech, brimful of facts, and impressively delivered. His tribute to the amazingly rapid growth of the United States navy to the position of a world Power impressed his hearers, who cheered vociferously when lie mentioned that no navy, save the British, could have been so he irtily welcomed by New Zealand as was that of the United States. His statement that the American Government was determined to have a nivy second to none in the world, excepting the British, and that its reasons for not seeking to rival the British navy would be appreciated by all, was a notable point of speech. Sir Joseph Ward touched upon the obligation of the

United States to take up the white man’s burden, and bis declaration that blood is thicker than water was llio concluding theme of a powerful ami telling oration. The Admiral, on rising to respond, received a great reception, and one that should have been gratifying to any man as the representative of any nation, lie declared that it would have made a dead man talk, and certainly naval officers wore not dead men. (Laughter). His next opening statement, that iho navy stood for justice with jicace was well-timed, and prepared his hearers for iximothing worth listening to. Slowly, but impressively, bo wont on in a wonderfully pleasant monotone, his hearers dwelling on every word as bo reminded them of how Nelson, saved Britain with bis navy from the Grand Army of Napoleon that be never saw. “Our ships are human,” bo declared, adding, amidst laughter, “and they do queer tilings sometimes, but,” continued be, “I would much sooner talk of tins fine country rather than of ships. Because of the way we have boon treated by the people of the Dominion I shall call it a new America,” he said, and fairly brought down tho house when he. added that he'knew nothing would he dearer to the heart of the President of the United States than to hear of the cordial and generous reception which it had received from New Zealand. Tho Admiral was almost immediately called 1o his feet again to propose the toast of the British Navy, which he did suitably and briefly. Then followed a perfect furore as Vice-Admiral Poore, of the Australasian squadron, rose to respond. At the outset the Vice-Admiral paid a tribute to Rear-Admral Sperry, and in it brief address laid special stress on tho contention that .naval strength made for the peace of tho world. Gisborne was officially represented at .to-day’s functions by His Worship the Mayor (Mr. W. D. Lysnar), who was accompanied by Airs. Lysnar in tho morning. Visiting sailors took advantage today of free postcards ■ issued by the Government to tho extent of about twenty thousand-

[Press Association.] AUCKLAND. August 10. The streets and wharves were densely crowded this morning, roofs, balconies and windows ail Doing packed with spectators on the occasion of the iflieiai landing of Admiral Sperry and ..is officers. Queen Street and Queen’s iv iiarf were lined with volunteers and a Jine of veterans from the Veterans' Homo was drawn up on the wharf.' lion. IS. Mitcheison, chairman of the Harbor Board, and several members of the same body met the Admiral at the landing stage, under a beautifully decorated canopy, and conducted them to tho dais, where they were awaited by the Premier, members of the Ministry, the Speaker of tho House of Representatives, Mr. Massey, the principal military commanders of the Dominion, Lady Ward and several other ladies.

When Admiral Sperry and four other Admirals mounted the dais, the Premier read an address to President Roosevelt, and presented a handsome casket. Tlie address eulogised Air. Roosevelt as one who represented the best traditions of our common blood and civilisation," and who was sincerely honored by all Now Zealanders. This casket, said Sir Joseph Ward, in handing it to the Admiral, consists of our own gold, our own silver, our own wood, and our own workmanship. Admiral Sperry, in reply, said no greeting could appeal more strongly to President Roosevelt than this from a people, small in numbers, but great in achievement. The beautiful present typified everything that was good in national life.

At this point Messrs Maliuta and Kaihau mounted the dais at the request of tlie Premier. An address to Admiral Sperry was read by Sir Joseph Ward. The crowd which tilled all tho avenues commanded by the dais cheered frequently. The address stated the visit added to the solid friendship of America and the British Empire. It made special allusion to the share of tho Alaori race in the national life of New Zealand.

Concluding, Sir Joseph Ward presented to Admiral Sperry a handsome ■trophy of New Zealand workmanship. Admiral Sperry, in reply, said the reception given the oincers and men of the fleet was an earnest of the reality of the ties of blood and friendship, "and meant more to them than people could understand. The ships were tho body of the fleet, the officers and men its soul. He realised that the splendid race of Maoris had established a .tradition of loyalty and faithfulness. (Applause.) On the call of tho Premier, threo cheers were given for Admiral Sperry and his officers.'

lion. E. Mitcheison, Chairman of the Harbor Board, then read an address of welcome, and presented a silver casket to Admiral Sperry. Tlie Admiral, in expressing thanks, spoke of the magnificent safety of Auckland harbor. There was no such harbor in the Pacific, except Sydney and, perhaps, Manila. It was an ideal harbor, and possessed every facility a naval commander could desire.

The hand played bars of American and British National Anthems, “Yankee Doodle,” and other airs, as the official party left the wharf. The lino of march to tho military Hall was crowded with a cheering line of spectators, overlooked by thousands from windows, balconies, and parapets.

Arrived at the Military Hall, the Governor, in a speech, welcomed the visitors. Ho alluded to New Zealand as not the least loyal of the King’s dominions. King Edward and Mr. Roosevelt were honored not only for their positions hut for the noble work they liad done for humanity. The Mayor having read the citizens’ address. Admiral Sperry rose. Ho said:“Nothing can give me more pleasure than; to accept this address as a most cordial and gracious souvenir of welcome extended to tho fleet which 1 have .the honor to represent. It is peculiarly fitting that there should bo tho strongest possible ties of amity and friendship between two nations of common ancestry,- common blood, common traditions, and common aspirations, and that friendship is doubly cemented by the fact that we realise that tho two nations have done so much for tho peace of the world, and aro a large factor in everything that tends to happiness and progress throughout the world. (Applause). The Imperial interests of both great nations .in the Pacific are tho same, from New Zealand at the lowest point to tho uttermost point of the Philippines, and from New Zealand in the north-east towards Hawaii and tlie coast of the United States there is an unbroken chain of common interests—common interests which to-day are only beginning to develop. Common interests, the magnitude of which it is almost impossible for us to appreciate, were growing from day to day with the expansion of trade and the opening of the Panama Canal, and common interests need common protection. It is essential that the principles of peace should bo settled by tlie Hague Conference, but it is essential that there should he some guarantee that those principles will be followed and the two great fleets which meet together in Auckland and with common interests make for that peace. They make for Anglo-Saxon peace throughout the Pacific a.ncl throughout the world. It is ftttifig that Imperial interests should lie recognised as common, and aro being promoted by our two executive heads, but it is peculiarly fitting that on this occasion we should recognise tlie fact that the basis of friendship between our two great nations must lay in the people, and it is particularly acceptable that we should find hero a greeting extended to us from every city, from boroughs and municipalities in every part of New Zealand. In the streets it is peculiarly gratifying to see that each county, each borough, and each municipality has sent a token of its welcome. They are from representatives of the people, who are in close touch with the people, and represent their sentiments where the people aro unable to represent themselves byword of mouth as tliev have been doing all this morning in tlie streets —(laughter and cheers) —to our very groat gratification. Ships can be bought with money, but men and souls famwt he bought with wo tie J’—

(applause)—and the life of our fleet, which wo cannot replace if it is illtrained and not celf-respecting, lies in tho men of the fleet to whom you have extended so cordial, gracious, and generous a welcome. On: behalf of the officers and men I thank you all most cordially for your welcome. Nothing has been left undone or unplanned that tho heart can desire.”

MILITARY REVIEW. A SPLENDID DISPLAY. [Press Association.] AUCKLAND, August 10. Tlio troops were reviewed on the Domain this afternoon by tho Governor, Lord Plunket, and Admiral Sperry. There were three thousand oil parade,divided into three brigades, the first being the public school cadets, under Lieutenant-Colonel Lovoday, and the second tho mounted brigade,, under Lieutenant-Colonel Idolgate, including tlie whole of the regiments of tlie Auckland Mounted Rifles and the A Battery of field artillery. Tho third brigade was mnde up of the Auckland divisions of garrison artillery, the first and second infantry battalions, and the defence cadets. Tho display was a splendid one, and was witnessed by over 20,000 people. A MAGNIFICENT SPECTACLE. BRILLIANT ILLUMINATIONS. DISPLAY BY WARSHIPS. [Press Association.] AUCKLAND, August 10. It was a sight in fair Auckland. The city itself, with the tower of the Government Buildings outlined in electric lights, the mammoth “Welcome” blazing hospitably from everywhere and all the streets a-glitter with myriads of lights outlining tlie most prominent buildings and thoroughfares, present a rare spectacle, but'-the great vessels; of the fleet outlined in lights outdid the most pretential efforts of the city in the way of illuminating. With every spar and stack outlined in lights, their names blazing from the signs on their forward turrets, the warships looked like a glimpse into some land controlled bv folks other than those of this material earth. Each vessel stood out distinctly in the water, which was as calm as a lake. Not a wave disturbed the surface of tlie bay except those made by the small launches that darted in and out of tlie fcirclc of light around the warships. Thousands thronged along the water-front to see the wonderful sight of tho brightly illuminated ships, and the displays of fireworks on land. . The illumination was almost as brilliant. The public offices, outlined in electric lights, presented a spectacle 6ucli as lias seldom been seen in tlie city. Queen Street, strung with streamers of incandescent globes, was a blaze of light. Besides tlie big arches at the street corners, there were festoons of lights all tlie way down the streets on every block, and many business people had outlined tlieir shops and offices in lights. Tens of thousands of people aro in tlie streets. From 8 o’clock until 8.30 the battleships engaged in searchlight exercise. Two lights from every ship, and three or four from most of them, threw out great wide streamers of light that swept tlie bay and tlie sky, making a display that could he seen for miles. There was no order in the searchlight exercise. Each vessel did as it pleased with its great eyes, and some of the times, when the lights crossed each other, there was a blaze of whiteness that showed every fold in the clouds and frightened birds to tlie cover of darkness.

GOVERNMENT BANQUET. OFFICERS ENTERTAINED. [Press Association.] AUCKLAND., August 10 In the evening Admiral Sperry and the officers of the American fleet were entertained at a banquet in the Drill Hall by the Government of New Zealand. The largo building was prettily decorated, and about 1500 guests sat down. The Premier presided, having on his right the Governor and on his left Admiral Sperry. The proceedings generally were of a most enthusiastic character, and the toasts of “The King,” and “President Roosevelt,” “The Governor,” “United States Navy,” and “British Navy” were honored.

The Governor, in reply to the toast, made a particularly happy speech, referring to tho sincerity of New Zealand’s welcome to the American fleet, and the friendship of the British Empire to other great Anglo-Saxon people. Sir Joseph Ward, in proposing the toast of Admiral Sperry, said that the navies of enlightened nations did not exist for aggrandisement or conquest, but for protection against oppression and for safeguarding the nation’s greatest asset, its national honor. Rear-Admiral Sperry, in reply, said that the mission of tlie American fleet was peace with justice, and so long as it floated Undefeated no enemy could cross the seas either to America or New Zealand. He thanked New Zealand for the magnificent reception accorded the visiting battleships.

UNCLE SAM’S PAY DAY.

£BO,OOO POCKET MONEY.

[Press Association.]

AUCKLAND, August 10. To-day the sixteen paymasters of tlie fleet visited tho Bank of New South Wales, each accompanied by a sturdy sailor carrying a suggestivelooking stout leather bag. Last week the pay day of the fleet fell due, and as Uncle Sam’s sailorman draws about the most liberal pay of any tar in the world, the pocket money of over twelve thousand men, is not a little item. For the purpose a store of specie had been collected at the Bank, some from Wellington, and some arriving yesterday from Sydney, for nroliably the biggest cash payment ever made in Australasia. At a quarter past nine, Consular-General Prickett, of the United States of America, walked into the Bank, introduced the chief paymaster to the manager, and the process of counting out over 80,000 sovereigns began. As it was told out it was promptly bagged and locked, and the whole glittering process was over quicker than it will tako even tho American Jack Tans to spend it. The money is exchanged Into American coin oil hoard, and probably a large part of it will filter back to "the shore and the coffers of the Bank in the course of .the next- week. JACK ASHORE. NAVAL TOLICE. (Special to “Times.”) AUCKLAND. August 10. Over four thousand of the American Jack Tars arc ashore to-night. Tlie navy is itself policing the town, tlie main streets Icing regularly patrolled. A PRACTICAL TEST. RESULTS OF THE CRUISE. [Pres( Association.] AUCKLAND, August 10. Admiral Sperry, interviewed, said the cruise had shown a great ini pro veil cut in active work and in economy if coaling, and had made possible tries not hitherto possible. They could steam from Honolulu to Sydney without coaling. It was a splendid result. There wore similar results ill tactical work and gunnery. AUSTRALIAN COMMENT. A POPULAR VISIT. r United Press Association. Copyright SYDNEY, August-10.

The “Herald” says those who know New Zealand 'know the Dominion will strain every nerve to make the stay of the fleet at Auckland a memorable one. If the visit was popular with Americans before they arrived, it is certain to bo 60 with them when they *tea»i Oivay,

A NATIONAL WELCOME. AUSTRALASIA ENVIED. United Press Association. Copyright (Received August 10, 0.32 p.m.) . LONDON, August 10. Hie ‘Tunes” says that Britain rather envies Australasia in having tho first opportunity of welcoming the American fleet. It considers the Admiralty acted wisely in not attempting to equal the display of naval force in Australasian waters. It was bettor to defer full greetings until tho Mediterranean Sea was reached, when tho British fleet of ironclads will accord a warm welcome to tho visiting fleet. All residents in the British Isles wish to associate themselves with Australasia’s warm welcome.