THE AMERICAN FLEET.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2637, 20 October 1909, Page 3

THE AMERICAN FLEET.

LETTER FROM ADMIRAL SPERRY

On October 7 Mr G. 11. Reid, M.P. (New South Wales) received the following letter from Admiral Sperry, who commanded the American Fleet, which visited Australia last year: —“U.o. Naval War College, Newpbrt, R. 1., Sept! 3,1909. Dear Mr Reid,—Your little note expressing satisfaction with my remarks in Australia and New Zealand, “as one of the public men of Australia,’ lies before me, and is,almost the pleasantest souvenir of the visit when coupled with your article in the ‘North American Review’-for last March. Such approval coining from one who,so fully recognises the complex political and diplonTatic situation lying under the surface of the sincere and generous hospitality extended, is most grateful. Curiously enough, but happily it seems to be expected with profound conviction in this country that the cruise of that heavy armament promoted peace, not by reason of its strength, but because‘of the tone and temper of your people, and of our people, and because no one on either side could believe that either temper or malice or pretence had any part in the demonstration. On our part it has created such a trained seagoing body of seamen and gunners as our navy never before possessed. And in Manila Bay 'the gunnery scores of the previous year were actually doubled. To have been instrumental in such Vueeessful work makes a very comforting conclusion to my. active career as a naval officer. Believe me, yonrs very sincerely, C, S. Sperry.”