THE AMERICAN FLEET.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 169, 16 July 1908, Page 5

THE AMERICAN FLEET.

THE VISIT TO CHINA. £40,000 FOR ENTERTAINING. The editor of the "Tung Wah Times' 1 ' mentioned to a, Sydney "Daily Telegraph.*' representative that the Pekin correspondent of his paper had that day informed him that the Chinese Government purposed making extensive preparations for the reception of the fleet, which is to call in at Ainoy, the port of the province of Fukien. The Minister of the Treasury is asked to supply 400,000 dollar* (£40,000), for the entertainment of the visitors. It is 'rexpected-that the fleet will reach the Chinese port on October 28, and will remain as the guests ol tho Chinese Empire-■ for- six- days. Tha paper's Pekin' "correspondent" fnrtheF states that the British authorities in Hongkong have invited the fleet to make a short stay there, but a-reply~has been received that the time is so limited that they will not be abletb accept. " '"There is great rejoicing in China," the correspondent states, "at the ~ forthcoming visit of a fleet whose Government is on such good terms with China." , VIEWED THROUGH -JJIENCH SPECTACI/liS:' "_''_ _ AFFRONT TO GREAT" BB_TA_N. . '___SMANTJ_E,rj»I_r 10. According to -files just--to-hand, on June 9, "the Paris "Temps," which recently played the part of candid friend with regard to the British army, stated that the American navy i." now the second in importance, in the "world, but is liable to be surprised, by."that of Germany. America asserts her naval rank by a piece of bluff, namely, the naval voyage round the world.. In connection with this voyage, the Americans really are too boastful, says the;."Temps.'* Nevertheless, the. naval parade has a peculiar significance of .its own,; ; For instance, Australia's invitation was accept* ed with enthusiasm,, yet the "invitation of the British Government; has, been refused. In this Great-Britain was affronted by America, though in- the Atlantic .and her dependencies Great Britain maintains her supremacy.- Still,--America ia threatened by the ever-increasing German naval power, and ah armed conflict is inevitable sooner 'or later. -The' two countries' interests - are too much op» • posed' for' an .entente, to' be' possible.