AMERICAN FLEET VISIT

Evening Star, Issue 19003, 27 July 1925, Page 6

AMERICAN FLEET VISIT

WELCOME IN AUSTRALIA FRIDAY’S STREET ACCIDENT VISITORS’ PROMPT ACTION Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Press Association. MELBOURNE, July 26. The liveliest remembrance of the march of 2,000 Americans through the city on Friday is the prompt and effective aid rendered in rescuing wounded and preventing a, stampede when the verandah collapsed. This action has won for the visitors warm nlaees- in tho hearts of Victorians. The procession wasifeld up for forty minutes till the injured had been removed and the lino of march cleared from the invading crowds. During tho long, cold wait both tho seamen and the spectators showed commendable reserve and patience. After tho accident Admiral Coontz sent the- Lord Mayor the fleet’s sympathy with tho injured, adding: “If anything can ho done to assist, consider us all at vour immediate service.”

Tho police in both Sydney and Melbourne have received numerous complaints that the visiting sailors are being taken down by sharpers, some of largo sums. They advised them to leave their money, bevond their actual requirements, in a safe place. ' MELBOURNE, July 26. (Received July 27, at 1.30 a.m.)

Excepting tho three people who are still in a serious condition, all the victims of the verandah collapse are progressing satisfactorily. GAY MELBOURNE. MELBOURNE. July 26. The city, lit up by searchlights, was gay last night, and the streets everywhere were thronged and theatres crowded, including a big sprinkling of Americans, who were enjoying shore leave thousands strong. Many were being entertained by residents at parties and other functions in their honor. A special race meeting proved one of tho day’s attractions. During tho late hours of Fridav niirht and early on Saturday morning the taxi drivers and piecart men reaped a rich harvest from hundreds of hungry, benighted sailormcu, who had lost their hearings in the dense fog. ]t was well into the forenoon before many recovered' their sailing directions. DENSE FOG OVER CITY. MELBOURNE, July 25. Dense fog descended on the city last night, and “bushed” many of the American sailors who wore wandering in tho city. Many found beds at the Y.M.C.A. ‘hostel. Others found lodgings, hut many spent the nMit in the streets. Boats sent from the warships were unable to locate the pier, thus stranding many units, who otherwise would have been comfortably bedded aboard. DELAYED BY STORM. MELBOURNE, July 27. (Received July 27, at 10.40 a.m.) Delayed by stormy weather, the last unit of the United Slates fleet, the repair ship Altnir, reached Melbourne two drlys after the other ships. From Tuesday till Friday the A Hair battled against strong pales and heavy seas, and gradually fell behind. No fear, however, was'felt for her safety, as she is a. solidly-built vessel, capable of riding a storm such ns she met. WEEK-END AMUSEMENTS. MELBOURNE, July 27. (Received July 27, at 10.40 a.m.) The week-end was practically free from official functions. A large number of the officers and men of the fleet attended the Moonee Valley races on Saturday. Tho destroyers, which had boon brought up tho river in hatches, wore thrown open for inspection, and were visited by large crowds. A baseball team from tho fleet met an Australian team. After an exciting exhibition the game ended in a draw.

AT SYDNEY HOTELS WELL PATRONISED. SYDNEY, July 26. During Saturday big batches of American officers and men found their way to the Randwick races and other sports. Hundreds roamed the streets, and at night time- invaded the city. Thousands crowded the theatres and picture shows, helped by a big in flux of people who had come to view the fireworks display. Strong patrols from the warships, who make short work of any recalcitrants, had a busy time clearing up stragglers. A considerable number of the visitors are taking full advantage of the open hotels. Strong appeals are appearing in tbo Press urging stricter measures on the part of both local and fleet authorities to protect the army of youthful visitors against themselves and those taking advantage of their weakness. VENETIAN CARNIVAL. SYDNEY, July 25. The chief feature of yesterday’s fleet celebrations was the Venetian carnival. At night the harbor presented a magnificent spectacle, lit up bv searchliglits from the worships. A splendid displnv of fireworks followed. Immense crowds gathered on the foreshores and all commanding positions in the city and suburbs. COMMER CIA LTP A VELLER S’ BANQUET. SYDNEY. July 26. The only serious engagement for the Americans yesterday was the Commercial Travellers’ Association bannuiet in the evening, at which the chief guest was Admiral Robison, who was detained by other duties, and arrived late. Three times the band was misled by false reports of his entry, and struck up the * Star-spangled Banner ’ before ho actually arrived. FUNCTION OF FIGHTING FORCES. SYDNEY, July 27. i (Received July 27, at 10.40 a.m.) Speaking at the Commercial Travellers’ Club banquet. Admiral Robison 1 said there was an idea that navies and armies created war. A search of history would prove that they never , created, produced, or fomented wars, ! but were called in to finish them. “ When racial or religious prejudices or other things that make for war are in search of" trouble,” continued the admiral, “we are called in to finish the job.” SPECIAL CHURCH SERVICES. SYDNEY, July 26. There were no official fleet engagements in either Sydney or Melbourne to-day. Religious organisations and the churches combined m looking after the men’s moral interest, making them feel at home. Specially attractive ser- j vices were held in many churches, the | Americans being present, in goodly 1 numbers. The streets and holiday resorts of the two cities disclose a good sprinkling of visitors, and thus early in their stay they have managed to pick up lady consorts. CROWDS VISIT WARSHIPS. SYDNEY, July 26. (Received July 27, at 1.30 a.m.) Thousands of visitors inspected the i American warships.