THE WHITE SQUADRON IMPRESSIONS OF THE VISIT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2811, 26 August 1908, Page 29

THE WHITE SQUADRON IMPRESSIONS OF THE VISIT.

WHAT POLITICIANS THINK.

WELLINGTON, August 18. That the visit of the American fleet "which has just come to a close "is an event of no ordinary significance is obvious to everybody in proportion as the issues, national and international, involved and embodied in the fleet's progress round the world are recognised. To many, no doubt, the visit of the great white squadron of the United States was primarily an occasion for pleasure and holidaymaking ; but legislators have recognised that there was something - above and beyond this — something which, if not immediately, at anyrate in the not distant future, will bs manifest in the political ideals and ambitions of the people and the igrouping of the nations. With this idea in his mind a representative of the Press Association on the trip from Auckland to Welling ton interviewed a number of legislators for the purpose of giving the public some notion of "the views which prevail in the active political world y on a question of first-Tate importance, not only to New Zealand, but also to the Empire. The interviewer reminded membere that Great Britain has contracted an alliance of a very definite nature with Japan, primarily, it is alleged, for the protection of her great Asiatic interests, which interests do not much concern the Australasian dominions of the King, whilst those Dominions are, it wonld seem, becoming more and more conscious of their complete concord with the policy of the United States in the Pacific. Sir Joseph Ward said that in his position as Prime Minister of New Zealand it would be improper for him to express any opinion whatever on the policy of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance. With regard to the visit of the American fleet here, there could be no doubt that all who had seen it in Auckland Harbour had been deeply impressed with the great possibilities of its future growth and development. The whole proceedings dwring the stay of the fleet had been imi bued with a spirit of mutual esteem, ! friendship, and co-operation, and from the Admiral downwards every member of the i fleet had been gratified in the truest sense I with the sterling enthusiasm begotten of 1 natural affinity to the English-speaking 1 races. " There has been nothing sycophantic on either 6ide," said Sir Joseph, " and, let me say, so far as New Zea- ! land is concerned, that while we have a profound respect for our American cousins, we recognise our own Old i Country as the 'right bower' for New Zealand. No one can foresee what the ! future expansion of the trade of the j Pacific will be, but it is quite certain that Great Britain and the United States recognise that their common interests call for the preservation of their territories in the Pacific against the domination of Eastern coloured Taces, and in that aim both our sympathies and efforts go in one direction. The Pacific must be preserved for the -use of the predominant white race, and I have little doubt that the American Admiral and his clever coadjutors holding responsible- positions in the American fleet are fully alive to the fact that Great Britain and her Dominions beyond the sea are, at one with the citizens of the United States of America in upholding that ideal." Mr M-assey, Leader of the Opposition, remarked that the visit of the American fleet would undoubtedly be productive of good. " But," he said, "I am not one of those who think it necessary to cultivate ! friendship with America as provision i against possible trouble in the East. 1 am ! quite certain that America is just as likely v to require the assistance of the British navy as Britain is to require the assistance of the American." Mr Massey also said he hoped the Auckland public, which rose to the occasion, understood that Auckland represented the Dominion on this occasion, just as the Dominion represented the whole Empire. I The Hon. C. Louisson, after expressing his gratification at the highly satisfactory manLr in which the Auckland people had acquitted themselves, said that it was th^duty of both^English- speak mg nations to police the Pacific, and that ?W would do so with moderation and juiice. The present feeling which^ w as bound to remain, was sure to vrwk foi b^ w r^o^rs|r« Carncross declared, -after the way we have received you, would you no -find .t hard to come and bombard this eitrj. Ho thought for a moment, jephed, •• Sir I would not come, ' and Mr Gaincross added, "the earnest manner in which he spoke demonstrated that he spoke from the heart. Mr W Fra.=er said he had no patience with those who affected to find in the Anglo-Japanese alliance a hindrance to good feeling with America or the realisation of coloniel ideals of policy in the East. "We are continuously' told," said Mv Fraser, "that some white nation or other is coming to blows with the Japanese, but I ask why? Japan has no present intention of making a descent upon us. and it does not require extraoidinary pei-spicuily to realise, that when the day comes for a. conflict between the . white and yellow peoples we shall not I have to look to the American fleet but to

the united fleets of Europe to vindicate the titles of white races to supremacy. On the day when the East and West ai\i arrayed against one another the Britisl fleet will be in the Pacific as strong, i( not stronger, than that of any other nation." Mr Lang said the proper colonial point of view was that an alliance with America would effectually restrict coloured immigration, -whereas an Anglo-Japanesa alliance to some extent prevented that restriction. " But," said Mr Lang, " I do not think there is any real danger of a conflict between the- yellow and • the white races. So far as we are concerned! it is to be remembered that if any foreigners send some of their ships heret to attack us, they would weaken their home fleets a.nd expose themselves to a< raid by the British fleet. If war should* ever take nlace between Great Britain and Japan, you may be perfectly certain; that the British fleet woulh be in these waters before the outbreak of hostilities. In any case we are not in a> position to dictate' to the, - Admiralty* The defence of the Empire is in the hands of the Home authorities, who may ba supposed to understand the difficulties' and problems involved, and to have made provision accordingly." _ ' ', Mr Poole said the visit of the fleet was one of the greatest events in the history of New' Zealand. It had intensified the friendship between the^ two people, and" no doubt helped to extend our influence and trade in - other- lands. " The fleet," said -Mr Poole.. " has been a revelation to New Zealand, and New Zealand has been a revelation to the Americans. "It was a sublime * diplomatic move on the part, of Roosevelt to send the white squadron to foreign waters. li> is quite evident from the equipage of the ships and the plans of the cruise that an effort is being made to call the militiary faculties of the East to attention in view of any possible international complications. The absence of any effective British fleet from the Pacific waters and the event of the battleship squadron from, the United States have called forth both regret and delight, and as Australians looks with misgivings upon the present Eastern situation, the most natural development is a closer union with th« Anglo-Saxon people of America. But unfortunately, the Anglo- Japanese alliance seems to be an obstacle in the way to closer union." Mr Ngata said while the material of the fleet satisfied the eye with the out-> ward semblance of t concentrated powvrr, its personnel created an impression" on the Imagination.' and ■ heart of our people that would deepen with growing intercourse, and an enlarged- vision of common interests and aspirations in the Pacific. The predominance' of the Japanese navy and the . insufficiency of the British squadron in the Pacific to protect British interest - presented a problem foY- th« immediate consideration of Australasian statesmen. The United .States seemed to , recognise . the gravity of the situation.