The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1908-03-27
FLEET GOING TO JAPAN
At MIKADO'S WISH
Invitation Through Ambassador
Accepted by Cabinet.
TO STAY A WEEK AT Y0K0H0MA
Trip Lets Down Bars. and Entire Itin.
erary Must Be Recast - Be-
lieved That Ii Marks End of Eric.
ton and Will Silence "Jingoes."

ton and Will Silence "Jingoes."
Washington, D. c.-The announce
ment was made at the Navy Depart
ment that the President had accepted
the friendly invitation from Japan 20
have the battleship feet visit Japan
csc waters on its way around the
world.
The invitation was delivered 10 the
Secretary Of State by Ambassador
Takahira.
The japanese note follows
japanese Embassy,
Washington. March IS, 1908.
."Sir-Under instruction from His
Maiesty's Minister for Foreign At
fairs ! have the honor 10 commune
cate to you that the Imperial Govern
meut, having learned of the comtem-
plated cruise of the United States
battleship feet from San Francisco
to the Philippine Islands, are sincere
ly anxious to be afforded an opportu-
nifty to cordially welcome that mag
nifoent feet and to give an enthusias-
tic expression to the sentiment of
friendship and admiration invariably
entertained by the people of Japan
toward the people OF the United
States.
Il am further instructed to inform
you that the Imperial Government IS
firmly convinced of the reassuring ef-
feet which the visit of the American
feet to the shores of japan will pro-
duce upon the traditional relations OF
good understanding and mutual SYM
pathy which so happily exist between
the two nations, and to express to
you the hope of the Imperial Govern
ment that the feet may be instructed
to call at the principal ports of Japan
in its extended cruise in the Pacific.
Accept, Sir. the renewed assur-
ance of my highest consideration.
* TAKAHIRA.
Hon. Elihu Root, Secretary of
State
1t was the subject of considerable
discussion at the Cabinet meeting,
and the decision was in favor of ac-
ceptance.
The Official acceptance of the Jap
anese invitation was contained in
letter delivered to Ambassador Taxa
hira. The letter was signed by Rob-
/ ert Bacon as Acting Secretary of State
and was as follows:
"Excellency-I have the honor to
| acknowledge the receipt or your val
ued note of the 18th instant by which
/ you are SO good as to convey on
| behalf of the Imperial Government
I an invitation for the American feet
| now on the Pacific Coast to visit the
! principal ports of Japan.
Il have the honor and pleasure to
say in reply that the President, to
| whom have communicated this cour-
teous and friendly action on the part
Of your Government, highly appre-
ciating this evidence of the hearty
| good will of the Japanese nation, has
charged me TO request you to inform
your Government that the United
States is most happy to accept the in
vitation. 1t gives this Government
peculiar pleasure to accept because
Of the long existing and unbroken
| friendship between the two countries
and the sincere regard of the Amer
lean people for the people of Japan.
Il regret to add, however, that the
limits of time imposed by the ar
rangements for the return of the feet
to the Atlantic Coast of the United
States will not permit visit to more
than one of the ports of Japan.
Accept, Excellency, the renewed
assurances of my highest considera-
ton.
ROBERT BACON,
Acting Secretary"