The Washington herald., 1908-02-22
route. It would be premature to premise

route. 1t would be premature 10 premise
this"
The notice Of the Australian govern
ment's intention TO invite the feet there
was first made known on December "a
;ast to John P. Bray. American consul
general at Melbourne. by Alfred Deakin,
prime minister Of Australia, in which he
said
Il think You win be able to tell your
government what an enthusiastic. whole
hearted welcome the battle ships under
the American flag will receive in the
commonwealth. II would be a further
token of the close alliance OF interests
and sympathies which exists between us.
NO other federation in the world pos
sesses so many features OF likeness TO
that of the United States as does the
commonwealth OF Australia. and I doubt
whether any two peoples could be found
who are in nearer touch with each other
and are likely to benefit more by any
thing that tends to knit their relations
more closely. Australian ports and por-
tails would be wide open 20 your ships
and men, and Il would be a matter Of
great qualification IL the President could
see his way to direct that the wishes OF
this government be met In the matter
Anxious for Favorable Confederation
Consul General Bray transmitted Dea-
kin's letter to the State Department. accom-
panied by a communication in which he
said Deakin had called upon him per-
sOnally 10 urge that the invitation be
favorably received.
The proposed invitation of the prime
minister of Australia. Bray said. voiced
the general sentiment Of the people of
Australia. He added that If the invitation
was accepted. the heartiest welcome will
await the feet at Australian ports.
Secretary Root transmitted the CORE
spondence on the subject to Secretary Of
the Navy Metcalf in order that the pro-
posed invitation might have the consid-
Grafton of the proper naval officials.
1t is not regarded likely the invitation
can be accepted unless it is finally deter
mined to have the fleet return by way OF
the Cape of Good Hope route This Is
regarded as extremely improbable. and is
dependent only upon an emergency, as
the breaking out OF an epidemic Of con-
tagiOus disease at some Oriental port
where the fleet will be required TO stop.
Way Out of Proposed Course.
The chief ports of Australia are ap-
proximately 1900 miles south of Manila.
and out of the course OF the battle ships
in case the Suez course is chosen for the
return trip. The question of accepting or
rejecting the invitation from Australia is
for future settlement.
II has not vet been determined how long
the fleet will remain in the Philippines.
Until this matter has been reached il
cannot be said definitely whether the invi-
tation can be accepted
The present plan of the department is
10 have feet maneuvers and probably tar
get practice in the Philippines some time
next fall 1t would not be surprising il
the invitation were accepted. so that the
feet could engage in maneuvers and drills
on the way from the Philippines to Aus
tralian ports
There is a plentiful supply Of coal on
hand at Manila for long cruise in Orien-
tai waters. BY April next the Bureau OF
Equipment will have gathered a supply Of
$4,000 tons at Manila. which will be suffi-
cient 70 enable the fleet 10 cruise several
months without stopping to replenish
its fuel supply.