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Australians Speak of McKinley
One Prominent Member from N. S. W. Calls Him “The
Ruler of the Century.”
With her national, signal and quarantine
flags flying half mast in respect of our late President, the E and
A steamer “Australian,” arrived in port Sunday.
That popular skipper, Captain P. I.
Helms, is still in command. He states that good weather was experienced
throughout the voyage. The Australian has a full complement of passengers
for Hongkong and Japan, among whom are: Hon. William Hay, M. L.
A. for the Murray electorate in N S W, and Mr. Walter S Howard Smith,
member of the great Australian shipping firm, W. Howard Smith and
Co.
Mr. Hay, when asked by a T
reporter as to how he thought the news of the assassination of the
President would be received in the Colonies, replied: “I am sure
that all Australians greatly deplore the loss the United States
has sustained. There are many large business houses owned by Americans
throughout Australasia. They have lived years out there, conducting
their business in such a manner as to make the Australians appreciate
Americans. I never had the honor of knowing Mr. McKinley personally,
but from his past career and the progress made by the United States
during his term of office I have stamped him as ‘The ruler of the
century,’ and the Australians mourn with the American nation in
their sad bereavement.
Mr. Walter Howard Smith was interrogated
as to his opinion of Mr. McKinley. Mr. Smith said: “In the death
of the President the people of the United States have not only lost
a statesman but a Christian gentleman. His record stands out bright,
clear, and honorable. I consider that Mr. McKinley during his term
as President has done more for the masses than any ruler of this
generation. Although the nation has lost him, from what I know of
Americans, it will never cease to honor and revere his name.”
Many were the expressions of sorrow
when the passengers heard of the dastardly act committed by the
assassin, one gentleman expressing himself so strongly as to say
he should like to have the job of dispatching Nieman, the assassin.
The “Australian” will sail for Hongkong
at 4 o’clock this afternoon.
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