THE AMERICAN FLEET.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12145, 4 September 1908, Page 5

THE AMERICAN FLEET.

(United Press Association—Copyright

_ The '"Standard," in a sympathetic article, says the ovation accorded to Admiral Sparry shows that th.3 Australians are a practical people. Australia's case, as regards' tho defensive measures whereon hor safety must partly depend, is the case of ' all the self-governing States of the Empire. Australia intends to build and equip her own squadron, and where she leads, the rest of. the oversea States will probably follow. It 'will-bean interesting experie.mnt. (Canada has had her own squadron of cruisers for some time.) The • "Pall :Mall Gazettes. Washington correspondent .says that the American newspapers consider the demonstrations denote the popular conviction in Australasia that American naval power would, in an emergency, become a barrier against the extension of.Japanese rule in the Pacific. Some people consider that Australians cherish the samo ideals as the United States, to which they are closer'than to England.

Another writer declares that there is no sentimentalism about the "blood is thicker tlinn water" saying, but only an enlightened sel finterest.

Sober writers suggest the existence in Australasia of a lack of confidence in the willingness and ability of the Motherland to protect Australasia- against what is described as the "Eastern Peril."

The correspondent emphasises the exceedingly embarrassing consequences of tho tour to the Washington Government.

MELBOURNE, September 3. In a baseball match America defeated Victoria by 6 to 5.