THE PACIFIC.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 282, 22 August 1908, Page 5

THE PACIFIC.

SOME PRESS OPINIONS ON ITS FUTURE MEANING OF THE CRUISE. 'AUSTRALASIA AND THE UNITED STATES. A COMMONWEALTH NAVY. fni TEI.EBUAPII—PRESS ASSOCIATION—Cori'IIICUr.) (Rec. August 21, 9.40 p.m.) London, August 21. Tho "Chronicle," commenting on the reception given to' Admiral Sperry's United States Fleet in New Zealand and Australia, says that this Colonial fraternisation with tho Americans is very gratifying in Britain, where maintenance of the most friendly relations with tho American people and Government is the object of universal desire, and aii axiom of our policy. Tho "Daily Graphic" remarks that tho phenomenal festivities at Sydney show how deeply the Englishman in the Pacific feels that ho must regard tho yellow peril as tho problem which is paramount there; and in this sense they have a grave significance for the statesmen of the Motherland. Imperial Naval Alliance. The "Morning Post" refors to the probable assistance which the Fleet's presence will lead to the Commonwealth's statesmen in promoting Mr. Deakin's naval policy. The paper notes with satisfaction that the Admiralty have latterly shown a greater disposition to meet the neods of the case. No greater disservice could bo rendered by any State department here to the United Kingdom or the Empiro than to delay or prevent the beginnings of an Imperial Naval Alliance.

Tho "Morning Post" continues: —"lf English Cabinet Ministers dictate, as they ought, tho hypothesis of an Imperial alliance, not of colonial dependence, then the problem for naval experts is not how to secure ono navy under ono control in pcaco time, but how to promote the utmost efficiency of the allied navies, taking' it for granted that there will be a unified control in wartime." The American papers contain glowing accounts of Australia's reception of the Fleet. The "New York Herald's" correspondent describes tho reception as surpassing anything encountered since tho Fleet loft Hampton Roads. The "Herald," "Tribune," and other contain notable leading articles. Eastern Troubles: A New Element. The "Now York Times" says that this manifestation of Australian friendship will not bo forgotten. Tho Australians aro truly kinsmen of tho Americans, and their greeting to tho Fleot may be taken as a notification to all tho powers that, in any futuro international complications involving the Far East, tho Commonwealth is to be reckoned with. As the battleships carrying a message of pcaco ■ around the world anchored in-Sydney Harbour, tho cheers and salutes from tho shores had a significance which will not bo missed by the nations." TWO COASTS TO DEFEND. FORTY-EIGHT BATTLESHIPS WANTED. New York, August 20. Admiral Robley Evans, who retired after taking tho United States battleship fleet to San .Francisco, in accepting a "loving cup" from his ■ friends, urged that tho proper standard of tho American Navy was 16 battleships commissioned in the Pacific and 16 in tho Atlantic, and eight in ' each ocean to bo held in reservo.