LESSONS OF THE VISIT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9318, 19 August 1908, Page 1

LESSONS OF THE VISIT.

INTERVIEWS WITH POLITICIANS. VIEWS OF MEMBERS. [Peh Press Association.] WELLINGTON. Aivmst !*.'■ . That the f isit of the American fleet, which "has just como to a close, is an event of no ordinary Bi<rnifuynce is obvious to everybody in proportion as the! issues, national and international, involvf<d and embodied in the fleet's prepress round the vrorld are recognised,. To many, no doubt, the visit of the great white squadron of the United States -was primarily -win "occasion, for pleasure and holiday-making, b'lt legislators have recognised that there was something above and beyond this, something which, if not immediately, at any rate, in the not distant future, will be manifest in the political ideals and ambitions of the people and the grouping of nations. With this idea in his mind, a representative of the Press Association on 'the trip from Auckland to Wellington interviewed a number of legislators for the purpose of affording; the public some notion of the views which prevail in the active political world on a question of first-rate importance, not only to New Zealand, but also to the Empire. The interviewer reminded members that Great Britain has contracted an alliance of a very definite' nature with Japan primarily, it is asserted, for the protection of her great Asiatic interests, which interests do not > much concern the Australasian dominions .. of the King, whilst those dominions in time are, it would 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 Anelo-Jaoanese alliance. With regard £0 the visit of the American fleet here there would be no doubt that all who had seen it in Auckland harbour had been d a -M>ly imnressed with the great possibilities of its future growth and development. The whole proceedings during the stay of the fleet had been marked with a spirit of mutual esteem, friendship and co-operation, and from the admiral downwards every member of the fleet had been gratified in 'the truest sense with the sterling enthusiasm begotten of the natural affinity of English-sneaking races. "There has been nothing sycophantic on either side," said Sir Josenh", " and let me say, so far as New Zealand is concerned, that while we have t>ro-' found resneet for our American cousins, we recoernise our own Old Counfr-v as the 'right bower* for New Zealand. No one. can foresee what the future exnansion of the trade of the Pacific will be. hut it is quite CArtnin that Great Britain and the United States r<w><rriise that their common interests call for the preservation of their territories in +hp Pacific asrainst the domination of Eastern coloured races, a"d in that aim both out svmpathiws and efforts ero in one direction. The Pacific mnst he preserved for the nse of t^e or er^^i in ant white race, and T hnve little* doubt that the American fdimiral and hi" clever ooadintors holding responsible positions in the American fleet ore fnllv alive to the fact that Great Britain and her dominions beyond the kw»« are nt one with the citizens of the United States of America in upholding that i<Wl." • S Mr Mf>ssev, leadeT of the Opposition, remarked that the visit of the American fleet would n^doubtedlv be productive of erood. "But." he«said, "I am not o"p of those who think it necessary' to cultivate friendship with America as a provision against possible tronble in tho East. I am omite* certain that America is .iufit as liVolv to require the assistance of the British Naw as Britain is to require the J'pfsistance of the American Naw-rU^Mr Massev also s»id ho honed that the Auckland public, who rose to the occasion, understood fVi.nt A « "Moth? r<vvrpc""+'vi : l - 11 - - ' ■'■n. ion on this occasion, just as the dominion represented the whole Empire. The Hou 0. Louisson, after expressing gratification at the highly satisfactory manner in which the Auckland neople had acquitted themselvp.« *-id that it was the duty of both Ehglishrcpeaking nations to police the Pacific. That they would do with moderation and justice. The j>resent feeling, which.

was bound to remain, was 6ure to work for the good of humanity. In his opinionl the continued friendship of Britain with both Japan and America would gp in the direction of smoothing over and preventing trouble which otherwise might arise between two of those nations. He was confident, at , any rate, that British diplomacy would be exercised in that direction. . The HonW. C. F. Carncross said that he looked upon the visit of the Fleet las a very significant event. A union of English-speaking nations must have an effect in bringing about the peace of the world. "I said to one of the American officers/ Mr Carncross declared, "'After the way we received you, would you not find it hard to come and bombard this city?' Ine officer thought for a moment, and replied: 'Sir, I wouldn't come.' Mr Carncross added: "The earnest manner in which he spoke demonstrated that he spoke from the heart." Mr W. Fraser said he had no patience with those who affected to find in the Anglo-Japanese alliance a hindrance to good feeling with America I or the realisation of colonial ideals of ■ policy in the East. "We are continui ally told/ said Mr Fraser, " that some white nation or other is coming to blows with the Japs, but I ask -why? Japan has no present intention of making a descent upon us, and it does not require extraordinary perspicacity to realise that when the* day comes for a conflict between the white and yellow peoples we shall not have to look to the American Fleet, but to the united fleets of Europe to vindicate the titles of the white race's supremacy. On the day when Eaet and West are arrayed against one another the British Fleet ' will be in the Pacific as strong, if not stronger, than that of any other nation. 1 ' Mr Lang said that the proper colonial point of view was that. an alliance with America would effectually restrict coloured immigration , whereas the Anglo- Japanese alliance to some extent prevented that restriction. " But," said Mr Lang, " I do not think there is any real danger of a conflict between tlie yellow and white races. So far as we are concerned, it is to be ' remembered that if aiiy foreigners send some of their ships here to attack us they would weaken their home fleets and expose themselves to a raid by the British fleet. If war should ever take place between Great Britain and Japan you may be perfectly certain that the British fleet would be in these waters before the outbreak or hostilities. In any case, wo 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 \be supposed to understand the difficulties and problems involved and to have made provision accordingly." Mr Poole said that the visit of the fleet was one of the greatest o vents m the history of New Zealand. It had intensified the friendship between the two . peoples, and no doubt had helped to extend New Zealand's influence and trade in other lands. ; "The fleet," said Mr Poole, "has been , a revelation to New Zeai land, and New Zealand hae been a revelation to the Americans. It v^as a sublime diplomatic move on the part iof President Roosevelt to send the I White Squadron to foreign waters. It f*is quite z evident "from the equipage of I the ships and the plans of the cruiss, I that an effort is being made to call , the military faculties of the East to attention, in view of any possible^international complications. The absence of any effective British fleet fiom Pacific waters and the advent of a battleship squadron from the United have called forth- both regret and delight,' and as Australasia looks with misgiving upon the present Eastern situation, the most natural development is closer union ■ with the Anglo-Saxon people of America, but unfortunately the Anglo- Japanese alliance seems to be an obstacle in the way I of closer union." Mr Nocata. member for the Eastern Maori District, said that while , the material of the fleet satisfied the eye with the outward semblance of concentrated power, the personnel created an impression on the imagination and heart of New Zealand 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 sqiiadrons in the Pacific to protect British interests, these presented a problem for the immediate consideration of Australasian statesmen. The United States seemed to recognise the gravity of the situation."