THE FLEET IF SYDNEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13834, 21 August 1908, Page 4

THE FLEET IF SYDNEY.

The welcome given to the American Fleet in Sydney justices the confident anticipation that Australia is no less sympathetic with ance in the Pacific than is New Zealand. The much greater population of Sydney and New South Wales has enabled the reception to attain much vaster proportions than were possible in Auckland. But we need not fear any comparison in the minds of our departed guests, for we did all that we could do to make their stay in our port pleasurable, and their kindly appreciation of this was proof that we succeeded to the utmost. We can therefore unite in hearty congratulations to our Australian neighbours upon having made such a magnificent and truly national demonstration of friendship and goodwill. This must impress the Americans with the fact that it is not Auckland or Sydney or any other mere city which is glad to greet, them, but that it is the entire

population of Australasia which acknowledges their kinship and sees their display of naval strength with approval and satisfaction. As we pointed out last week, and as Admiral Sperry promptly repeated, the bonds between us are stronger than treaties and more lasting than conventions. The remarkable outburst of public feeling which accompanies the progress of the American battleship fleet from colonial port to colonial port is inevitably influencing international diplomacy, and is establishing a tacit compact between the English-speaking nations which must greatly strengthen the British and American Governments in their consistent efforts to preserve peace in the Pacific.