The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-11-17
JAP SQUADRON COMING HERE
NOT FOR WAR PURPOSES. But ON
4 FRIENDLY VISIT.
MIX Idea Is mat u Won Hurt the
Prestige Of His Empire 10 snow Some
ef TITS Fighting ships in waters Of the
OccIdent-Fieet win visit New York.

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. Is.-The Japanese
Consul General at Honolulu has sent word
to the Japanese Consul in San Francisco
that plans are nearly completed for. the visit
of a Japanese squadron to the United States
in the early part OF next year. II Is an
nounced that the sum OF 500. 900 yen $780,
OOO) has been appropriated by the Toxic
Government to pay the expenses OF the
naval visit.
1t has been decided by the Japanese
naval authorities that the visiting squadron
consist of a first class bsttleship and
two armored cruisers OF the first class.
While il has not been yet determined which
vessels shall be selected for the voyage,
they will all be ships that were fought in
the Russo-Jspanese War and which part ic-
ipated in the battle OF Tsu Shims Straits
when Togo overwhelmed RoJestvensky.
T6 command the squadron the Govern
ment has selected no less a naval parsonage
than vice-Admiral Shichiro Kataoka. Vice
Admiral Kstaoka. though still a compare
lively young man, wa the commander OF
the third squadron Of Togo's feet and took
part in all the principal naval engagements
of the war, including the battle Of Tsu shima
Straits. His squadron wa long on blockade
duty Of Port Arthur. His flagship was the
cruiser Izuino.
Admiral Kataoka's squadron will touch
at Honolulu on its way across the Pacific.
A considerable stay will probably be made
at San Francisco, where it il possible that
the Government will make every effort to
entertain the Japanese visitors properly,
especially in view OF the unfortunate agita-
ton that has attended the action Of the
local school board in s~egregating the Jap
snese pupils.
WithoutRdoubt the INSTRUMENTATION will
be received by an American squadron Of
equal strength in command Of an officer
whose rank equals that Of the japanese
commander.
But it is declared that the Japanese pro-
gramme does not stop with San Francisco.
On the contrary. it provides that Vice
Admiral kataoka's squadron shall make
a Journey around the globe. From San
Francisco it will proceed down the coast
making brief stops at Chilean and Peruvian
ports, around Cape Horn and up. through
"a DOuth ahh iNIdAJlN " ANCW OIh
The present plan c~ontemplates a con
sidera BILE stay on the Eastern seaboard.
after which the squadron will sail for
England. Thence the return to Japan
will be made by way of the Suez Canal.
The voyage thus outlined will be by far
the longest ever undertakes by a japanese
squadron. In fact, nobody hereabouts has
ever seen a japanese flag flying from Il
Japanese warship in these waters.
The journey is doubtless undertaken
from motives OF national pride, it being
the idea Of the Mikado's Government that
the sight Of the Japanese colors borne by
ships that helped to crush Russia will be
an excellent thing for Japanese prestige
in the waters Of the 0ccident. Vice-Ad-
miral Kataoka is said to speak excellent
English as a result Of his early residence
in England, where he obtained his naval
education. His arrival in this port is ex-
pected in March or April.
The squadron will probably be absent
from Japan about eight months.