AMERICA’S NAVALS

Grey River Argus, 27 July 1925, Page 5

AMERICA’S NAVALS

MELBOURNE’S WELCOME

Record Crowds

(Received July at p.m j

MELBOVRKE, July 2a,

(Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association.) Despite the fact that procession of the American sailors and marines through Melbourne was not due to start till half past twelve, thousands of spectators had taken up positions m the mai'.i streets by nine o’clock, and the late-comers were hardly able to obtain even a glance at the marching Jack Tars.

Even the guests of the Commonwealth at the saluting base wore in their positions a good two hours befi re the procession was due to pass. Before the final section of the mAw.l

men had got level with the GovernorGeneral, Lord Forster, the crowds hod jostled their way through, and the last unit had to struggle to keep even a semblance of formation. Some of the people were actually getting between the ranks of the bandsmen. Official calls were made by Admiral Cooitz on the Federal Prime Ministir the Victorian State Premier, and other officials, who returned the calls on the battleship Seattle. Later i'i the afternoon, and in the evening the senior officers of the fleet were entertained at dinner by the Governor

OBJECT OF CRUISE. POLITICIAN’S CLAIM. MELBOUNREI, July 25. James V. McClintock, 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 fleet’s cruise was intended as a demonstration of the power of his country in the Pacific, or even an indication that she was seeking to establish naval pre-eminence. He was emphatic in the opinion that the only object of the tour was to increase the general efficiency of the men, j articularly in the direction of giving them experience of long cruises away from the bases.

SAILORS HAVE “SCRAPS.” SYDNEY, July 25. American Jack ashore failed to impress the Sydneyites favourably. Perhaps it. was due to a small minority, but there were many reg.-(?ti r h . brawls, and cases of drunkenness on the first free day the visitors experienced. MELBOURNE FOG “BUSHES” VISITORS. (Received July 26 at 5.-> p.m.) MELBOURNE, Julv 26. A dense fog descended on the city last night, and “bushed" many of the American sailors who were wandering in the city. Mnnv of them found bed s at the Y.M.C.A. Hostel. Some more found other lodgings, but many spent the night in the streets.

Boats sent from the American warships were unable to locate the pier in the fog, thus stranding many ot the units, who otherwise would have been comfortably- in bed aboard.

A SYDNEY BANQUET. (Received July 26 at 5.5 n.m.) SYDNEY, July 25

The oinly serious engagement for the Americans yesterday was the Commercial Travellers’ Association banquet in th e evening at which the chief guest, Admiral Robinson, who was detained by other duties, arriveed later. Three times the band was misled by false reports of his entry, and struck up “The Star Spangled Banner” before lie actually- arrived. MELB OUR NE ENTERT AINMENTS. MELBOURNE, Jnh- 26. The city was lit up by searchlights and was gay last night. The streets everywhere were thronged, and the theatres were crowded, including a big sprinkling of the Americans, who were enjoying shore leave, thousands strong. Many of them were being entertained by- residents at parties and there were other functions in their honour. There was also a special race meeting in honour of the visit, and it proved one of the day’s attractions. During the late hours of Fridaynight and early on Saturday morning the taxi drivers and pie men reaped a rich harvest from hundreds of the hungry benighted seamen, who had lost their bearings in the dense tog, and it was well into, the forenoon before many of them recovered their sail ing directions.

ARRIVAL ON SYDNEY/HARBOUR (Received July 28 at 5.5 p.m;) SYDNEY, July 26. The chief feature of yesterday’s fleet celebrations was a Venetian Carnival at night. The harbour presented a magnificent spectacle, being lit up by the searchlights from the American warships. A splendid display cf fireworks followed. Immense crowds gathered on the foreshores, and at all the commanding positions in the city and the suburbs. JACK’S FLING AT SYDNEY. TRIES EVERYTHING GOING. (Received July 26 at 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, July 26. During Saturday, big batches of American officers and men found their

way to the Randwick Fleet races, and to other sports. Hundreds of the rivals roamed the streets, and at night time they invaded the city. Thousands of them crowded the theatres and picture shows, helped by a big influx 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 i.i clearing up stragglers. Considerable numbers of the visitors are taking full advantage of the open hotels.

Strong appeals are appearing in the press, urging stricter measures on the part of both the local and the Fleet authorities to protect the army of youthful visitors against themselves and those taking advantage of their weaknesses,