THE ARMADA ARRIVES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19366, 24 July 1925, Page 5

THE ARMADA ARRIVES

SYDNEY AND MELBOURNE GREET THE AMERICANS A MERRY TIME IN STORE The much talked of American fleet arrived in Australian harbours yesterday —half at Sydney and half at Melbourne at the same time. In Sydney there was bright sunshine and in Melbourne there was a howling gale. The receptions in both cities were very cordial, but not gushing. Naturally, the appearance of the men in the route inarching is compared with the ever-popular British bluejackets, with a preference for the latter. A noticeable fea.tnre about the Americans is their youth. That the cruise will be of great educational value to the crews will be one of its not unimportant results. ARRIVAL AT MELBOURNE A MAGNIFICENT SPECTACLE FLEET DRIVES THROUGH RAGING GALE. By Telegraph Per Press Assn. Copyright. Received Julv 23, 10.45 p.m. MELBOURNE. July 23. The American fleet, arrived in heavy rain, icy weather and a raging gale. Notwithstanding the inclement weather conditions enormous crowds view ed the magnificent, spectacle of the ships driving through the boiling cauldron of the entrance to Port Phillip. Inside the heads the weather was slightly clearer and. braving the rain, an enormous flotilla of small craft met the fleet and accompanied it up tho harbour. SAMPLE OF SMALL-MINDEDNESS Received Julv 23. 10.15 p.m. MELBOURNE, July 2.3. The steamer Weorona. with over a thousand notabilities aboard to view the entry of the American Fleet was held up, the seamen refusing to take the, vessel to sea until Mr Bruce, who they thought was aboard, had publicly apologised for his remarks concerning the seamen made, in the House of Representatives during the debate on tho Immigration Bill. The demand was disdainfully refused and the guests came ashore. Eater the party embarked on another steamer.

2000 MARCH THROUGH SYDNEY “WE ALL LOVE JACK’’ A FINE DEMONSTRATION Received Julv 23, 10.45 p.m. SYDNEY, July 23. The march of America’s two thousand naval men was not marked by an overflow of enthusiasm. Cheering on the part of the. spectators was not greatly in evidence but it was still sufficient to demonstrate “We all love Jack” whatever may be his nationality. The route was one from the landing point at Wool 1 oom oolob Bay through the, principal streets to Town Hall, thence round to tho, starting point, yet every inch was packed with onlookers. The long blue column swung past with line rhythm, responsive to the welcome given them. Bands brayed out “Yankee Doodle,’’ “Star Spangled Banner,” “Way Down in Dixie,” ami other tunes dear to their hearts and banners across tho streets and upon buildings carried “Welcome to Uncle Sam’s Boys,” ‘’Welcome to Our American Cousins.” and other similar devices. A I matter of comment was the youthfuli ness of Ihe great bulk of the Americans. The march was a very fine demonstration of tho efficiency of tho fleet's ratings but it lacked just that last little touch of daredevil rolling wherewith tho salted British naval ratings carry it off with their bell-mouthed trousers. All street traflic stopped during the, march. To-night’s functions include a dinner at tho Town Hall to the Admiral and officers of the fleet By the Federal and State Governments and a dinner to a thousand petty officers and mon. THE AUSTRALIAN VIEWPOINT An Australian business man now visiting Wanganui, Mr T. 11. Watson, when asked with what degree of enthusiasm the American Fleet, would be met with in Australia, stated that Australians lived for the moment, fa nd enthused in the, reception of any iforeign elements—bp they of arms or I commerce. “We in tho Commonwealth,” he said, “welcome strangers ! —we are proud to extend our hospital ity. We do not regard the visit as an instance coated with any degree of '•major significance. The Americans speak our mother tongue, and our boys, on the way to tho front, in the Great War, or returning, were always rcceivled in the best of spirit at *ll (a 'American ports en route. We do not regard the visit as a pageant, of war. or suggestive of such, nor do we look upon 'the advent of the. American Fleet as indicating America’s power in the Pacific. It is a friendly visit and we, just as New Zealanders do, look upon jthe visit as an appreciation of the 'spirit of our Imperial integrity. The fleet will be tho means of a wonderful advertisement both for Australia and New Zealand.”