Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-03-16
AUSTRALIA IS HAPPY
British Subjects in Big Island
Cheercd Because American
Fleet is Coming
FEAR JAPANESE AGGRESSION
United States Considered Protection
Need Friend in the Pacific-Aus-
traIans Also Distrust Germany -
Dramatic Scenes When News is
Received.
Received.

Sydney, March 1G.--There was a
gathering of citizens when ut the con-
clusion of an address on the subject
of national defense the premier, AL
fred Deallin, read a cablegram an
nouncing that the American feet of
battle ships would visit sydney and
Melbourne. He called for three cheers
for the United States. and the audience
rose en- masse and responded with
deafening hurrahs
The prime minister said that he
was sure that such a welcome as an
American fleet had never known out
side of its own country would be &C
corded it by Australia, and the cheer
ing that followed this statement
seemed evidence of the fact that the
Australians, one and all, have a feel
ing stronger than mere friendship for
the American people and their navy.
Melbourne, March 16.-The Aus
tralian commonwealth, officially and
generally, halls with pleasure the an
nouncement from Washington that the
American battle ship fleet will visit
the antipodes next July or August.
The federal ministers are delighted
with the idea of such a visit. the min
lister of defense. Thomas Ewing, say
ing that the presence of Americas
fleet would be most gratifying to all
Australians.
1--WE feel that our future in the Pa
citic,' he said lis bound up with that
of the United States"
There are several reasons for this
feeling of satisfaction. Australians of
all classes have decided liking and
admiration for Americans due to sem
timental. commercial and political
causes. In the first place. as Austral-
asian newspaper and orators not in
frequently observe whenever the ques-
ton of Asiatic Immigration to Aus
tralia comes up, or that OF Austral-
asian national defense. America is the
nearest Caucasian neighbor and friend
that the commonwealth has. This fact
is given added strength because.
speaking broadly. Australians are al
most representative over Asiatic proX-
unity. prestige and influence, and
whether there Is ground for such feel
ing or not. they are apprehensively
mindful of their great physical sep
aration from any cognate people. This
feeling, 1t may be added, is fostcred
by leading politicians. especially those
In the powerful labor party, and this
feeling Of distrust includes the Jap
anese regardless of the Anglo British
alliance.
This distrustful attitude toward
things Asiatic and this strong leaning
toward things American. has a corol-
larry in Australian jealousy of Euro
pean colonization in the South Pa
citic Whereas the commonwealth has
always been complaisant over Amer
ica's possession of Pago Page. Samoa
which the fleet will visit--it has never
been overly pleased at Germanys pos
session of Apia. and the commonwealth
manifested so much feeling over terri
torial rights in the new Hebrides and
trading privileges in the Marshall Is
lands that the imperial government
was forced to treat with France and
Germany respectively regarding these
disputes.
In brief the United States is the only
foreign power with territory in the
Pacific for which Australia has a dis
tinct liking. But there are other con-
siderations. Australian coal is shipped
in large quantities to the Pacific coast
and Australian meat goes to the Phil
;ppipac IF T.. felt here that cOmmer-
cial intercourse with America is bound
to grow and all are eager to do their
utmost to promote friendly relations.