U.S. FLEET

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19368, 27 July 1925, Page 5

U.S. FLEET

SYDNEY INVADED VISITORS ENJOYING “WET” CONDITIONS. By Telegraph—Per Press Assn.—Copyright. Received July 26, 5.5 p.m. SYDNEY, July 25. During Saturday, big batches of American officers and men found their way to Randwick races and other sports, while hundreds roamed the streets. At night time sailors invaded the city. Thousands crowded the theatres and picture shows, the visitors being swollen by a big influx of people who had come to view the fireworks display. Strong patrols from the warships, who make short work of any recalcitrants. had a busy time clearing up stragglers. Considerable numbers of the visitors are taking full advantage of the open hotels. Strong appeals are appearing in the press urging stricter measures on the part of both local and fleet authorities to protect the army of youthful visitors against themselves and those taking advantage of their weaknesses. THE CELEBRATIONS. VENETIAN CARNIVAL AT SYDNEY. Received Julv 26. 5.5 p.m. SYDNEY, .July 26. I The chief feature of yesterday’s fleet | celebrations was a Venetian carnival at j tight. The harbour presented a mag- I nificent spectacle lit up by searchlights | from the warships. A splendid display of fireworks followed. Immense crowds gathered on the foreshore and on all commanding positions in the city and suburbs. SUNDAY FOR THE SAILORS. Received Julv 26. 11 47> p.m. SYDNEY, Julv 26. ' There were no official fleet engagements in either Sydney or Melbourne ■ to-day. The religious organisations and churches combinefl in looking after I Ihe men’s moral interest and making I them feel at home. Specially attractive ' SIT i ces were held in many of the j churches, and the Americans were, present in goodly numbers. The streets and holiday resorts of the ] two cities disclose a good sprinkling of i visitors. Thus early in their stay they have i managed to pick up lady consorts. INNOCENTS ABROAD. Waived Julv 26, 11.15 p.m. , SYDNEY, July 26. I The police in both Sydney and Melbourne have received numerous com- . plaints that visiting sailors have been taken down by sharpers, some of large sums. They advised them to leave in a safe place the money beyond their requirements. SHIPS OPEN TO VISITORS. ' Received July 27, 1.10 a.m. SYDNEY, July 26. Thousands of visitors inspected the American warships. SAILORS “BUSHED.” MELBOURNE IN A FOG. Received Julv 26, 5.5 p.m. MELBOURNE, July 26. A dense fog descended on the city last night and bushed joucy American sailors wandering in tin* city. Many found beds at the Y.M.C.A. hostel. Others found lodgings but many spent the night in the streets. Boats sent from warships were unable to locate the pier, thus stranding many units who otherwise would have been comfortably bedded aboard. C.T.’S BANQUET. STAR SPANGLED BANNER.'' THREE FALSE STARTS. Received Julv 26. 5.5 p.m. SYDNEY, July 26. The only serious engagement for the Americans yesterday was the Commercial Travellers’ Association banquet in the evening at which the chief guest was Admiral Robison, who was detained by other duties ami arrived late. Three times the band was misled by false reports of his entry and st rue - up the “Star Spangled Banner’’ before! he actually arrived. MELBOURNE IS GAY. TAXIS AND PIE-MEN REAP HARVEST. Received Julv 26. 5.5 p.m. MELBOURNE, July 26. The city was lit up by searchlights and was gay last night. The streets everywhere were thronged and Ike theatres crowded, including a big sprinkling of Americans who were enjoying shore leave, thousands strong. Many were being entertained by residents at parties and other functions in , their honour. The special race meeting proved one of the day’s attractions. During "the late hours of Friday night and early on Saturday morning the taxi drivers and pie-men'reaped a rich harvest from hundreds of hungry i and benighted sailormen who had lost their bearings in the dense fog. Jt was

i well into the forenoon before many recovered their sailing directions. GREAT INTEREST IN THE TARS EAGER CROWDS IN MELBOURNE MELBOURNE, July 25. Despite the fact that the procession of sailors and marines was not due to start till 12.30 p.m. thousands of spectators had taken up positions in the main, streets by nine o’clock and late coiners were hardly able to obtain ; even a glance at the marching tars. Even the guests of the Commonwealth ■it the saluting base were in their positions a good two hours before the procession was due to pass. Before the final section had got level with the Governor-General (Lord Eorster) the crowds had jostled their way through and the last unit had to struggle to keep even a semblance of formation, some people actually getting between the ranks of the bandsmen. Official calls were made by the Admiral ou the Prime Minister, the State Premier and other officials who returned the calls on the Seattle later in the afternoon, and in the evening the senior officers of the fleet were entertained at dinner by the Governor. PURPOSE OF THE CRUISE. [ONLY TO INCREASE EFFICIENCY MELBOURNE, July 25. i Mr James McClintiek, a member of the United States Congress, who is a passenger aboard the Oklahama states: “This visit is not a demonstration of the naval power of the United States, and it is wrong to allege that against us.” He deprecated any suggestion that the fleet’s cruise was intended as a demonstration of the power of his country in the Pacific, or even as an indication that she was seeking to establish naval pre-eminence. He was emphatic in the opinion that the only object of the cruise was to increase the general efficiency of the men, particu- ; iarly in the direction of giving them the experience of long cruises away from bases.