Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-21

public reception to the officers and men
of the fleet in the Domain after luncheon
was served at Mrs. Macquarries Point,
both OF which functions were attended
by great throngs of residents eager to
show their friendship for the visitors.
Prominence Of Australia.
The local press today reflects the gen
aEal feeling here that American sea
power aids the security of Australasian
interests in the Pacific. The Daily Tele-
graph says: THE commemorative de-
velopment is made apparent when con-
sidered against the grim background of
Asiatic emergence from oriental seclusion
1t is palpably country not to be desert
ed. and therefore to be protected, so as
to be preserved to the race possessing it,
Had not events thrown Australia INTO
silhouetted prominence. the United States
would not have sent the fleet here. 1t
has done so In recognition of the fact
that Australia is destined to play nota-
be par; in the theater of the Pacific
The Telegraph, referring to Rear Ad-
mral Evans advocacy of the two ocean
standard policy, says: There is no visi-
BILE European peril. but anything might
happen on the Asiatic side. The probable
growth of he Asiatic danger cannot be
ignored The voyage is plain intimatiOn
that the United Sta,es is not to be bluffed
out of her rights on this side or caught
unprepared for serious emergency.
1t is estimated that the crowds witness
ing the fleets arrival and thronging the
streets here exceeded ,bo,VU. 1t IS no
eXaggeration to say that the reception
exceeds anything in the history OF tue
fleets world cruise.
Spectacle in the Harbor.
The vessels of the fleet were illumi-
mated last night, creating a brilliant
spectacle. The electrical illumination of
the p and O., steamers with welcome
signs made an equally fine show from
the shore. Until midnight the streets
were as densely crowded as in New York
on election night Block after BLOCK was
lined with white Wreathed Columns, sur
mounted by eagles and imperial crowns.
A large replica of the Statue of Liberty
was erected by the Daily Telegraph:
The electrical greeting, Australia Wei
comes the American Fleet. lis displayed
on the post office. Business houses are
deliberately Illuminated There were
scenes of enthusiasm at the theaters last
might THE Star Spangled Banner" be-
ing Justify sung by the entire audience at
American play.
Shore leave began on the fleet today.
The patrol landed under the command of
Lieut.. Vogelgesang of the Wisconsin.
The American sailors were much attract
ed by the novelty of the pretty barmaids
and they own the town. The Americans
fraternize easily with the British seamen
here. -Four hundred men were entertain
ed at smoker by the women of the
British Empire League, at the Royal
Navy House, which is similar to that in
Auckland.
Sperry Is Outranked.
Rear admiral Sperry is outranked by
Vice Admiral Poore. commanding the
Australian squadron, which is of only
one-tenth the strength of the American
hot loo,
obliged to pay the first official calls and
yield precedence at all Official functions.
This embarrassing situation will be du-
plicated in all ports visited by the fleet
in Japan and China, and also in Europe.
unless Congress revives the rank of vice
admiral.
London Press Comment.
LONDON. August 21.-The London
morning newspapers give great promi-
hence to reports of the American fleets
reception in Australia. EditOrialy they
express the fullest satisfaction at the
warmth and brillance of the welcome ac-
corded the visitors. The Chronicle SAYS:
That the American sailors will take
Australia by storm is certain. They
have done it already: they have con-
determination is very gratifying 10 this
country. where the maintenance of the
most friendly relations with the Amer
lean people and government is an object
of universal desire and an axiom Of our
policy.
The Morning Post remarks that the
visit will encourage Australian states
men to promote the naval policy they
have at heart. namely. the creation of an
Australian navy. which says the Post.
hitherto has met with the great oh,
struction from the home government
which is anxious to impose on the colo
MES the duty of substituting the British
navy
Open Door in the East.
Then. referring to the feeling OF en-
thusiasm shown by Australia on the
ground Of sympathy between the United
States and Australia for the exclusion
of Asiatics. the Post declines to believe
that there is any real resentment in Asia
at the adoption by Anglo-Saxons of this
additionally Asiatic principle and saws:
Inc only real danger Of active enmity
arising comes from the reckless asser-
ton still sometimes made in this country.
that the British policy is to insist upon
the open door in the east, while barring
the doors in the colonies
In conclusion the Post says: 1.-THE
thronging thousands who watched the
entry OF the American armada cannot fail
to be dreaming Of the day when the finest
harbor in the southern hemisphere will
again be the base and it's shores the home
Of British fleet dominating the Pacific"
The Big Stick Ahoat.
The Daily Graphic. under the caption
THE big stick af1oat." says: 1T is not
surprising that the American sailors find
warm welcome in a British port. but
the present welcome is vitalized by
special circumstances, notably by the
fine performance of Sperry's fleet in the
around he-world voyage and by certain
community interests and aspirations in
Pacific politics.
THE American fleet is symbol; it en-
bodies the determination of the white
man to keep what he has got on the
shores of the Pacific; 1t is Roosevet's
contribution to the cry for white Amer
lea and white Australia.
Yellow Peril Real Indeed.
Discreet attempts have been made to
veil this aspect of the denonstr ration. but
they cannot impose on the citizens of
California and British Columbia and on
Aust ralia. 10 whom the yellow peril is a
very real peril indeed.
"The phenomenal festivities at Sydney
yesterday show how deeply Englishmen
In the Pacific feel in this matter, and in
this sense they have grave significance
for British statesmen"
GREETINGS TO THE PRESIDENT
ARE REPLIED TO IN KIND