U.S.A. FLEET

Grey River Argus, 23 April 1925, Page 5

U.S.A. FLEET

WILL IT BE CURTAILED ? FEARS OF FAR EAST FEELING. (Received April 22 at 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORK. April 2L The opposition to the American Fleet’s visit to Australia and Now Zealand appears to have been revived in a new form. Rumours have suddenly become current that President Cog! idge may cased, or may modify, il - 1 fleet’s proposed Australian and N w Zealand itinerary. It is Ist cresting to note how these rumours spring up. The Australian Press Association received a wireless message from the warship Tennessee, now in Hawaiian waters, saying that a report to this effect was current in the Fleet, Indicating, so one rumour alleges, that only five battleships will ultimately be sent to Australia and New Zealand, and that the same vessel? will also visit Japan, in order io nullify the Japanese feeling. The Naval Intelligence Office at Washington, commenting on the roporl. said that there is no present change in the plans. Various Now York newspapers are now printing despatches from Washington reiterating the same rumours, hut also pointing out that there is little likelihood that President Coolidge will make any changes in the plans. These have been so far advanc ed that changes would ho mis-intor-preted, or oven would react unfavourably upon the fleet personnel. Some press correspondents intimate 1 that it is feared that Australia and New Zealand osthusia.sm at the fleet reception would be misconstrued by Japan, or that impolite utterances during the Fleet’s stay would have a had effect in the Far East. The best opinion definitely indicates that the plans will ho carried out ns announced, without any important, modifications. President Coolidge may personally’ reiterate to the Japanese Ambassador what the Navy has already made clear, namely, that the cruise is only a technical manoeuvre, without any other purpose. The official Japanese opinion, moreover, seems to have .also been definitely convinced of the sincerity of this position.