Omaha daily bee., 1908-03-16
Premier's Announcement Of Its Com.
ing Greeted with Cheers.
GARNET MINISTERS DELIGHTED
Americans Nearest Caucasian Neigh
bors Of the Island Federation.
FUTURE OF THE PACIFIC
Vast international Problems In which
Governments Have Identical In
terests--Many Reasons
for FriendshIp.

SYDNEY. March i6-There was a dra-
matte scene today at a great gathering OF
citizens, when az the conclusion OF an ad-
dress on the subject OF national defense.
the premier. Alfred Deakin. read a cable
gram ann ouncing that the American fleet
Of battleships would visit sydney and Mel
bourne. 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 that an
American fleet had never known outside Of
its own country would be accorded Il by
Australia, and the cheering that followed
this statement seemed evidence OF the fact
that the Australians, one and ALL have a
feeling stronger than mere friendship for
the American people and their navy.
Permier Deakin in his speech advocated
greater expenditures for national defense.
He said that the burden imposed upon the
people OF Great Britain for the maintenance
of their naval and military forces was be-
ginning to tell. and that wealthy Australians
could not expect to enjoy the privileges OF
the protection against invasion without
bearing their share OF the cost The ex-
penditure recommended is 100000 annually
for army OF 1900 men and fifteen coast
defense vessels
Federal Ministers Delegated.
MELBOURNE March l5.-The Australian
commonwealth, officially and generally,
halls with pleasure the announcement from
Washington that the American battieship
fleet viii visit the antipodes next July or
August. The federal ministers are delighted
with the idea OF such a visit. the minister
OF defense, Thomas Ewing. saying that the
presence OF Americas fleet would be most
gratifying TO all Australians.
I'VE feel that our future in the Pacific"
he said. lis bound up with that Of the
United States"
There are several reasons for the salts
faction experienced by Australians Premier
Alfred Deakin was not fiattering the
American people In the Communication he
addressed TO their government through Con-
sui General John p. Bray here last Deccm-
Der. to have the warships come to this
quarter of the globe. In his invitation, he
said:
| No other federation in the world possesses
| 80 many features OF likeness to that OF
the United States as does the commonwealth
Of Australia, and ! doubt whether any two
peoples could be found who are in nearer
/ touch with each other and are likely to
benefit more by anything that tends 70 kni1
their relations more closely.
Many Things I'm Common.
I AuSuhlianh OF al CidSSeat unueeus nave
decided liking and admiration for Ameri-
/ cans. due TO sentimental, commercial and
even political causes. In the first place.
as Australian newspapers and orators not
infrequentIy observe whenever the question
/ Of Asiatlc immigration to Australia comes
up, or that of Australian defense, America
is the nearest Caucasian neighbor and
/ friend that the commonwealth has. This
fact is given added strength because. speak
ing broadly. Australians are almost super
] sensitive over Asiatic proximity. prestige
and influence; and whether there is ground
for such feeling, they apprehensively
mindful OF their great physical separation
] from any cognate people. This feeling. 1t
may be added. is fostered by leading pol
iticians, especially those in the powerful
labor party. and 1t includes the Japanese.
although regardless OF the Anglo-Japanese
alliance.
In brief. the United States Is the only
foreign power in the territory OF the Pacific
for which Australia has a distinct liking.
Governments Are Alike.
But there are other considerations than
these Aside from the cardinal one that the
commemorative whole scheme of govern
ment is patterned after that OF the United
States there are strong commercial and
| other ties AUSTRALIAN coai - shspped IN
large quantities to the Pacific coast, and
Australian meat goes to the Philippines.
Australia's irrigation experts study the i'm
mense schemes for watering the arid tracts
In the American western states. and Aus
tralian students and educators go to Amer
lea to learn American methods and systems.
Mr.. Deakin himself is an enthusiast over
the United states. He visited America for
the Victorian government in the SOS to in
spect its Irrigation works, and he has never
forgotten the country or its greatness.
Hence the American fleet viii surely have
lavish welcome in Australian waters. The
Australian people are notably hospitable
and they will outdo themselves IN enter
tanning the American officers and sailors