The Florida star., 1908-07-31
HONOR FOR THE FLEET
AustraIia's Grand Preparations
For American Warships' Visit.
FINE SPECTACLE At SYDNEY,
MilIions of Electric Lights to Be Used
In IIluEinationS-Larss Display Of
FirsworLs-Foundatio Stone of Per-
manent Memorial 10 BE Laid.

FireWorkS-Foundatio Stone OF Per-
mAnsnt Memorial to BE Laid.
The reception Of the United States
battleship feet at Sydney, Australia,
during its world cruise will provide
notable spectacle. The whole Of the
coast line, many miles in length, Of
the fine harbor Is to be brilliantly illu-
minated. the numerous headlands at
the expense Of the federal and state
governments and the intervening
shores by public subscription. NIL
lions Of electric lights viii be used.
In addition the British and other
warships In the harbor will be ablaze
with light, as will the merchant YES
sells, ferry steamers and other craft
There will also be a display Of fire.
works on a large scale, In which the
vessels OF the Australian squadron
wfll participate.
In the city Of Sydney itself the deco
rations and illuminations will surpass
those on the occasion Of the centenary
OF the state or the proclamation Of the
commonwealth, says a Sydney special
correspondent Of the New York Times.
Special arrangements are making for
entertaining the officers and men.
Rear Admiral Charles s. Sperry and
his captains are to be the guests Of the
Ear Of Dudley. governor general elect,
and the Countess Of Dudley and will
be entertained at a grand ball In the
grounds Of the government house by
Lord Northcote. the present governor
general, and Lady Northcote.
A magnificent ball is also to be given
In the Sydney town hall by the lord
mayor and the city corporation, and a
large number Of dances, dinners and
other entertainments are being ar
ranged by the citizens. All the the
aters and other places Of amusement
viii be thrown open free to the visit
ors. who Will also be invited to attend
the great sport carnival in which sew
eral thousand public school children
will take part
The leading cities and townships in
the interior are most anxious that ar
rangements should be made for en-
ablIng portions Of the crews to see
something Of the scenic wonders Of
the state, especially the Blue noun
talns and the Zenolan caves, and 1t 10
understood that all accepting the invi-
tatiOns will be conveyed to the various
points Of interest and banqueted free
of cost. There is, however, great dis
appointment In Queensland by reason
Of Brisbane not being included In the
itinerary. 1t Is proposed to ask the
American admiral TO permit a party
Of his officers and men to visit the
state metropolis. 1t is doubtful wheth-
er it will be in his power to do so.
1t is estimated that there will be
over thirty war vessels of American.
British and other nationalities in Sgd
ney harbor at one time, and a con-
siderable amount OF water space will
have to be set apart for their accommo-
dation. The vessels will probably be
arranged in two lines. each about a
mile In length. north and south Of the
harbor
The official landing will be an impOS-
Ing affair, the visitors marching in
procession To the Domain. Sydney's
largest and oldest park. under tri-
umphal arches and past beautifully
decorated buildings. where they will
be received with acclamation 10y the
thousands Of Australians assembled
from all parts Of. he commonwealth.
The Earl of dudley. I",d Northrote
and Admiral EawSnn. thu STAT" gov
ernor. accompanied by fhe federal
prime minister. th, state premier and
leading federal and state pticil'>. viii
form The reception parry There will
also be several thousand troops on the
ground.
In anticipation of The event there
has been IN unprecedented deE.and for
the stars and stripes aid extensive
IrGorS have been raJ.yi t. Kew York
AMI London. IN all The public schools
The children ar" 'c1Ti'G to sing Tie
Star SpauC'ed Banner" Hail Column
bia" and other American patriotic
sons. Practically sydney will he
fognL completely AmcricauiEcd during
the stay II the dcct At the ccre-
moLial pJrade OF the commonwealth
forces Rear Admiral Spcrry will be
asked TO allow detachments from his
vessels to march past with the Austria
liam troops.
Perhaps the most Interesting feature
uf the visit will l." the laying OF the
foundation sf"nc of a permanent me
mortal the c>It I uat;:re Of which has
yet TO hc de .dcd. The ceremony will
Le pcrfurI"cj by Kear Admiral Spcrry
and Admiral RawSoH. Ii will proba-
hly take the form Of colonnade. with
a large central arch constructed OF Aus
Iralian white marble. forming the en-.