The Dominion. FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1903. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FLEET.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 276, 14 August 1908, Page 6

The Dominion. FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1903. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FLEET.

'An Auckland paper, it appears, has published a story purporting to give the real reason for the cruise of the American battleships. AVc have not the details of this statement, but it seems that somebody has discovered a coincidence between tho date of the arrival'-'of the Fleet at Manila and the time fixed for the signing of the Immigration Treaty between America and Japan. Not much importance need bo attached to this interesting suggestion, even although it " finds crcdenco " with the American sailors, most of whom, if report is correct, are firmly convinccd that they aro to fight Japan vory shortly. Governments do not usually confide their secrets to their, bluejackets. The troublo between America and Japan was satisfactorily settled long ago, for the present at any rate, and ro good purpose can be served by representing tho cruiso of tho vessels as a direct menace to the Japanese Government. So crude a plan would almost mean a declaration of war. It iB quite a sufficient explanation of tho cruiso that America, which has very considerable interests in the Pacific, and will have even greater 'interests there when the Panama Canal is finished,' should desiro to give formal notice not to Japan, but to all concerned, that isho has provided for the carc of those .interests in tho usual manner, and does Hot mean to bo shouldered out of tho way by Great Britain, Germany, Japan or France. Tho cruise—if it must be regarded as a " demonstration " against somebody—is addressed to a great many people beside tho Japanese.

The mention of Manila in the Auckland story serve to remind tho public that Ambrica has a very firm Pacific foothold inlthe Philippines. Many .people still refuse to believe that America took chargo oi these islands out of a philanthropic regard for the natives. It was, they say,; part of - a carefully-prepared plan for itho establishment of a strong naval base in anticipation of future developments. "It is an interesting fact that while tho Philippines as a whole are not well looked after, Manila has been the scene of the busiest American progr'ess. Whatever Amorica has omitted to do in the . group, sho has not bcon sluggish'in constructing docks and harbours. The Manila harbour is one of the finest in the world; that of Iloilo, a secondary port, was deepened at a cost of two millions sterling. All this industry has not been undertaken for commercial purposes. The merchant, trade of the group is quite un,appreciable. One writer states the significance' of the doings at MftniLv in these terms:—. - ■ ,

Ships, larg|o ships, aro everywhere pointed to. The Philippines have been prepared long and carefully for big ships. Roads and railways have been neglected, and agriculturo is perishing for want of means if land transport. Tho taxes materialise into great blocks of concrete which aro lowered by Amorican contractors into, the muddy waters.of tho tropic river-mouths. And the ships -firo coining. ! This explanation, if ;t reach the oar of an American, will bo strenuously denied. But tho memory of tho world is short indeed if already wo have forgotten tho story of tho 'colossal' dry dock that was last year towed to Manila round ihe Capo. No one seemed to inquire much why such an enormous and costly piece, of furniture should bo sent to protect tho interests of philanthropic overlords of semi-savagp islands, tho approaches 'to which aro shelving estuaries." > Whether the squadron will continue in this Pacific altogether remains to bo seenj Thoro aro moro improbablo things. No doubt the presonco of a great American naval, force on this side of tho wofld will restore the mental balance of the people who are haunted by bad dreams of an Asiatic invasion. Nobody will grudge thcr.i that comfort, and they may bo left to discover for themselves whether, America is not moro concerned to dominate the commerce of the Pacific than to fold a great white arm round tho timorous people who' seem lately to have forgotten that thcro is such a thing as a British Navy, with British honour behind it.