The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-10
Spsry and His Officers Are Welcomed to Austra-
 Han Waters
PRIME MINISTER WARD
 DELIVERS THE ADDRESS
Immense Crowds Throng Streets and Every Available viewpoint-un- bounded Enthusiasm Pre-
 vails-Sperry Speaks.

Auckland, New Zealand, August b. (Monday)-C Cloudy weather greeted the landing today of Admiral Sperry com mander-in-chief of the United States Att lantic fleet and his officers to receive off cal welcome to Australian waters at the hands of Prime Minister Sir Joseph George Ward, on behalf of the govern ment.
 The landing was made at the newly erected quay at the foot of Queen street. the principal thoroughfare, at the shore end of which an elaborately decorated stand had been erected for the reception. Grouped about the prime minister were the members of the cabinet and refSe- sentatives of various towns. boroughs and co-districts of the dominion.
 Immense crowds thronged the streets and verandas and roofs of houses adja- cent were moving masses of humanity. It was a great reception and unbounded enthusiasm prevailed. In his address Sir George eulogized President Roosevelt as representing the best traditions of the common blood of Anglo-Saxon civiliza- tion. He then presented to Admiral Sper- ry for President Roosevelt a decorated gold and silver album suitably inscribed as a souvenir of the visit of the Amer ican fleet to New Zealand. Then Ad- mral Sperry was given a beautifully illuminated address of welcome enclosed in handsome casket of wood with an inlaid cover having design emblematic of New Zealand.
 Sperry's Reply.
 The American commander-in-ch in replying to the prime minister said that no greeting would appeal more strongly to President Roosevelt than that com- ing from a people small in number but great in achievements. The reception of the American fleet, the admiral contin- ued, showed that the tics of blood and friendship meant more than people gen. erally understood He described Auck- land harbor as magnificent and safe and as exceeding any harbor in the Pacific except that of Sydney and perhaps Ma nila. Every facility the naval commander might desire was to be had here.
 In his address of welcome on behalf of the citizens of New Zealand, Lord Punk it, the governor, said that King Edward and President Roosevelt were honored not because of their positions. but for the noble work they had done and were do- ing for their countries and for humanity. Admiral Sperry in reply dwelt on the great work in furtherance of the peace of the world that is being done by Great Britain and America, and on common in- terests of the two countries in the Pa cific, which he declared were growing in magnitude daily.
 Meeting of Fleets.
 He said the meeting of the British and American fleets at Auckland made for the maintenance of the principles of The Hague peace conference and Anglo-Saxon interests. After the ceremonies of well coming by the government a procession was formed, the route being through Queen street to Drill hall, where Arthur Myers, the mayor, accorded Rear Ad- miral Sperry a civic welcome.
 An artistic souvenir portfolio was pre- scented to the admiral. Queen street was lined by thousands of spectators who en- Enthusiastically cheered the American of f1cers and men as the procession passed. After the ceremony in Drill hall, Rear Admiral Sperry and his staff had lunch at the home of Mayor Myers, where the principal officers of the city were also guests. The remainder of the American officers were entertained at the Auckland and Northern clubs.
 In an interview today, Admiral Sperry said the cruise of the fleet from San Francisco had effected great improve. ment in the active work of the men, The economy in coaling learned made pos sible trips hitherto not possible, and h could now steam from Honolulu to Syd- ney without coaling. The admiral added that splendid results had been attained in tactical work and gunnery during the cruise.