CONTROL OF THE PACIFIC.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2273, 19 August 1908, Page 2

CONTROL OF THE PACIFIC.

AN ANGLO-SAXON ALLIANCE. RESULT OF AMERICAN- FLEET’S VISIT. [Press Association.] WELLINGTON, August 18.

That the visit of the American fleet which lias just come to a close is an event of no ordinary significance is obvious to everybody in proportion as the issues, national and international, involved and embodied ill the fleet s progress round the world are recognesod. To many, no doubt, tho visit of tile great white squadron of tho United States was unmanly an occasion for pleasure and holiday-making/ but legislators have recognised that there was something above and beyond this, something which, if not immediately at ally rato< in the not distant future will bo manifest in the political ideals and ambitions of the people. AVitli these ideas in his mind, a representative of the Press Association on the trip from Auckland to Wellington interviewed a number• of I legislators for tho purpose of giving the public some notion of the views which prevail in the active political world on a question of first great importance, not only to New Zealand, but also to tho Empire. The interviewer reminded members that Great Britain has contracted an alliance of a very definite nature with Japan, primarily, it is alleged, for tho protection for her great Asiatic interests, which interests do not much concern tiie Australasian dominions of the King, whilst those dominions ill turn are. it would seem, becoming more and more conscious of their complete concord with the policy of the United States in the Pacific.

Sir J. Ward said that in bis position as Prime" Minister-of New Zealand it would be improper for him to express any opinion whatever on the policy of the Anglo-Japanese alliance. With regard to the visit of the American fleet here there could be no doubt that all who had seen it in Auckland harbor had been deeply impressed with the great possibilities of its future growth and development. Tho whole proceedings during the stay of the fleet had been performed with a spirit of mutual esteem, friendship, and co-operation, and from Admiral downwards every member of the fleet, had been gratified, in the truest sense, with the sterling enthusiasm begotten of natural affinity to English-speaking races. “There has been nothing sycophantic on either side,” said Sir Joseph, “and let mo say, so far as New Zealand is concerned, that while we have a profound respect for our American cousins we recognise our own Old Country as the ‘right bower’ for New Zealand. No one can foresee what the future expansion of the trade of the Pacific will be, but it is quite certain that both Great Britain and the United States recognise that tliejr common interest call for preservation of territories in the Pacific against dominion of Eastern colored races, and in that aim both our sympathies and efforts go ill one direction.- The Pacific must be .preserved for the use of the predominating white race, and I have little doubt that the American admiral and his clever coadjutors holding responsible positions in America- are fully alive to tho fact 'that Great Britain and her dominions beyond the seas are at one with the citizens _of the United States of America in upholding that ideal.”

Air. Massey. Leader of the Opposition, remarked that the visit of the American (fleet would undoubtedly be productive of good, “but,” he 6aid. “I am not one of those who think it necessary to cultivate friendship with America a 6 provision against possible trouble in the East. lam quite certain that America is just as likely to require the assistance of Britain’s navy as Britain is to require the assistance of the American.” Mr. Massey also said he hoped the Auckland public, which rose to the occasion, -understood ■ that Auckland represented the Dominion on this occasion just as the Dominion represented the whole Empire. The Hon. C. Louisson, after expressing gratification at. the highly satisfactory manner in which the Auckland people had acquitted themselves, said it wa6 tho duty of both English-speaking nations to poltice the Pacific, and that they would do with moderation and justice. The present feeling, which was bound to remain, was sure to work for the good of humanity. In his opinion, he continued, tho friendship of England with both Japan and America would go in the direction of smoothing over and preventing trouble which otherwise might arise between two of those nations. He was confident at any rate that British diplomacy would be exercised in that direction.

The Hon. AV. F. Carncross looks upon the visit of tho fleet as a very significant event. A union of the English-speaking nations must have the effect of bringing about the peace of tho world. “Speaking to an American officer,” Mr. Carncross declared , “I asked him if, after the way we received them, would he not find it hard to come and bombard Auckland. He thought for a moment, and replied, “Sir, I wouldn’t come,” “and,” Mr. Carncross added, “the earnest manner in which lie spoke demonstrated that he spoke from the heart.” Mr. AV. Fraser said he had no patience with those who affected to find in the Anglo-Japanese alliance ■ a lainderance to tlio good feeling/ of America or a realisation of colonial ideals of policy in the East. “AVe are continually told,” said Mr. Fraser, “that some white nation or other is coming to blows .with the Japs, but I ask why? Japan has no present intention of making a descent upon us, and it does not require any extraordinary perspicuity to realise that when the day comes for a conflict between tlie‘ white and yellow peoples we shall not have to look to the American fleet or to the united fleets of Europe to vindicate the titles of the white races for supremacy. AVlien East and AVest- are arrayed against one another the British fleet will ho in the Pacific as strong as that of any other nation. ” Mr. F. AV. Lang said that the proper colonial point of view was that •in alliance .with America would-effec-tually restrict colored immigration, whereas the Anglo-Japanese alliance to some extent prevented that restriction, “but,” said Air: Lang, “I do not think there is any danger of a conflict between tho yellow and the white races. So far.as wo ourselves are concerned, it *is to he remembered that if any foreigners sent some of their ships here to attack us they would weaken the home fleets and expose themselves to a raid by the British fleet. If war should ever take place between Great Britain and Japan you can bo perfectly certain that the British fleet would bo in these waters before the outbreak of hostilities. In any case, wo arc not in a position to dictate to the Admiralty. The defence of tho Empire is in the hands of tho Home authorities, who may be supposed to understand the difficulties and problems involved and to have made provision accordingly.” Air. 0. 11. Poole said that the visit of the fleet was one of the greatest events in the history of Nw Zealand. It intensified the friendship between the two peoples, and no doubt helped to extend our own trade influence in other lauds. “The fleet,” said Air. Poole, “has been a revelation to New Zealand, and New Zealand has been ia revelation to the Americans. It was a sublime and diplomatic move on the part of President Roosevelt to send the white fleet to foreign waters. It is quite evident, from the equipage of the ships and the plans of the cruise, that an effort is being made to call the military faculties of the East to attention in view of any possible internal complications. The absence of any effective British fleet from the Pacific waters and the advent of the battleship squadron from tlie United States have called forth both regret and delight, and as Australia looks with misgiving upon the Eastern situation, the most natural development would be a closer union of the AngloSaxon people. Unfortunately, tlie Anglo-Japanese alliance seems to be an obstacle in tlie way of closer union.” ,

. Air. A. T. Ngata said that while the material fleet satisfied the eye with its outward semblance of coucou-

trated power, it created an imiression on the imagination and the icarts of our people that would deepen with growing intercourse. Tho predominance of tho Japanese navy and the insufficiency of tho British squadron in the Pacific to protect Jliitish into!ests presented a problem tor the immediate consideration of ■Australasian statesmen. The United states seemed- to riicognis© tho cravitv ol' tho situation. J