AMERICA’S NAVAL CRUISE

Evening Star, Issue 19002, 25 July 1925, Page 9

AMERICA’S NAVAL CRUISE

NO SINISTER MOTIVE Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Press Association. MELBOURNE, July 25. (Received July 25, at noon.) Mr James V. M'Clintick, a member of the United States Congress, who is a passenger aboard the Oklahoma, states:—“ This visit is not a demonstration of the naval power of the United States, and it is wrong to allege that against us.” He deprecated any suggestion that the cruise was intended as a demonstration of the power of his country in the Pacific, or even as an 'indication that she was seeking to establish naval pre-eminence. He was emphatic in the opinion that the only object of the cruise was to increase the general efficiency of the men, particularly in the direction of giving them experience of long cruises away from the bases.

CROWDS IN THE STREETS

MELBOURNE, July 25

(Received July 25, at 11.30' a.m.) Despite the fact that the procession of sailors and marines was not due to start 'till half-past 12 thousands of spectators had taken up their positions in the main streets by 9 o’clock, and the late-comers were hardly able to obtain a glance at the inarching tars. Even the guests of the Commonwealth at the saluting base were in their positions a good two hours before the procession was due to pass. Before the final sections had got level with the Governor-General (Lord Forster) the crowds had jostled their way through, and the last unit had to struggle to keep even a semblance of formation. Some people actually got between the ranks of the bandsmen. Official calls were made by Admiral Coontz on the Prime Minister, the State Premier, and other officials, who returned the calls on the Seattle later in the afternoon. In the evening the senior officers of the fleet were entertained at dinner by the Governor.