UNITED STATES FLEET.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2277, 24 August 1908, Page 2

UNITED STATES FLEET.

BATTLESHIP ILLUMINATIONS.

THE FIREWORKS DISPLAY.

United Press Association, Copyright (Received August 23, 4.15 p.m.)

SYDNEY, August 23. Yosterday afternoon the officers and men of tho fleet were entertained at various outdoor sports in their honor. :

In tho evening the harbor presented a magnificent spectacle, tho night being dark and cloudy. All of the ships, British and American, were illuminated, and kept tlieir searchlights criss-crossing, presenting a weird effect, while a splendid display of fireworks was maintained. Between 300,000 and 400,000 peoplo witnessed tho spectacle. COMMONWEALTH CHURCH PARADE.

THE VISITORS AT CHURCH

United Press Association, Copyright

(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 the church parade of the Commonwealth naval and military forces at Centennial Park, When tho Governor presented the colors to the Second Infantry Regiment. Over 70,000 spectators wore present, including a goodly number of American visitors.

Many of the churches arranged special services, extending inyjtar—tions to the fleet. Over 800 officers and men attended high; mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral, and a subsequent banquet arranged by tho Catholic community.

AUSTRALIA’S ATTITUDE. United Press Association, Copyright (Received August 23, 4.15 p.m.)

NEW YORK, August 23.

Some of the American newspapers are inclined to exploit the fleet’s visit politically in a sense hostile to the Anglo-Japanese treaty. Tho “Sun” remarks that Australia says “hands across tho sea,” meaning the sea to America, not to the Motherland. It adds that the occasion shows the Australians are flying in the face of the Imperial policy. Other newspapers declare that in the event of any ultimate quarrel between Britain and Japan, involving the integrity of Australasian territorv, America would not interfere, v; ‘ LONDON, August 22.

The “Daily Telegraph,” comment-' ing on the total absence of European battleships from the Pacific, says Admiral Sperry’s ships are an objectlesson to Australians in the cost of battleships. Australia’s naval inter- _ ests. at any rate for the present, can best be secured by a generous contribution to the maintenance of the British navy, which is powerful- enough to protect her, even though no British battleships may be seen in an Australian port. Moreover, it is not right to doubt that the thorny Asiatic question can be settled perfectly- on honorable terms. The great fleets on both sides of the Pacific, and the leagues of ocean separating them, were almost as good as to impose a reasonable temper on those in authority.... President’s Roosevelt’s reference to the cruise as one of peace and of justice has tliesame meaning as Mr. Deakin’s happy phrase that the fleet was a harbinger of arbitration. The battleships were best to perform the latter duty. When they would- reach Japanese waters they" would find a magnificence of welcome far exceeding expectations.