The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-03-25
WILL GO OUT IN
BLAZE OF GLORY
Roosevelt to Welcome War
ships Before Returning to
Private Life.
FEBRUARY % THE DAY SET
INVITATION OF CHINA ACCEPT
ED BY SECRETARY ROOT.

Washington. March 24-The battle
shin fleet will visit China as wei as
Australia and Japan, and will be home
on Washington's birthday. that Presi-
dent Roosevelt may participate in tie
welcome before his retirement from of
fee ten days later.
In deciding at the cabinet session To-
day 10 accept the invitation EXTENDED
by China, ii was also determined that
the limit of the social calls has been
reached, and that all other invitations,
should any be extended. would be de-
ciined with appreciative and TeEreTful
thanks"
Early Start Necessary.
An earlier departure than July 6
from San Francisco is being cOntem-
plated in arranging the extended itin-
erary. This. however. Will depend on
the repairs necessary when the ships
reach that port. Admiral Evans Ie-
ported today that splendid progress
was being made in the target practice
al Magdalena bay.
Nine of the ships have already com
pleted their work. These are the
Maine, Alabama, Illinois, Georgia,
Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio, Kentucky
and Kearsarge. The impression pre-
walls at the department that the Maine
and Alabama may be detached from
the fleet and their places taken by the
Nebraska and Wisconsin. The two
former ships may be in need OF over
hauling.
chlna's Invitations.
The Chinese invitation, which was
acceI Ted today, comes from the minis
Ter of foreign affairs in Pekin, through
Minister WI 1t reads.
AS the American fleet has decided 10
visit the far east on its tour around the
world, We have telegraphed instruc-
lions to the imperial high commissioner
of trade for the southern pOrTs, Vice
roy Tuan Fang Of Marking, 10 make
suitable preparations in conjunction
with Admiral Sab Chen-Ping, to well
come the fleet to our shores. Please
extend a formal invitation Tor tie YES
sells TO visit our ports through the hon
Orable secretary of state"
Minister Wu's Words.
in transmitting this invitation
through you to your government, it is
hardly necessary for me to add that it
IS the desire of my government and my
people to give expression on this Occa-
sion TO the very friendly feelings which
they entertain toward the American
nation, and to reciprocate for the many
cOurtesies which have been extended 10
the representatives of my country on
their visit to this country. You will re
member NicerOy Tuan Fang as one of
the imperial high commissioners who
visited this land three years ago to
make a special study of your laws and
institutions. and l have no doubt mat
he considers it a special privilege to
participate in arranging the reception
TO your fleet
Trusting that your government VIII
see its way TO accept the invitation,
and assuring you, sir, of my highest
consideration"
Reply to Secretary Root.
To this Secretary Root today replied:
Il have the honor to acknowleGg e
the receipt of the note of the 23d in
slant, by which you have conveyed TO
the government of the United States
the cordial invitation of the imperial
Chinese government for the American
fleet to visit China While in the far
east.
The communication of this friendly
action on the part of your government
was at once laid before the president,
and il is now my agreeable duty to
have the honor of informing you that
the government of the United states
is most happy to accept the invitation,
which is done with especial sratifica-
ton in view of the friendship and mu-
tual good will which have so long ex-
listed between the American and Chi
nese governments and peoples.
In communicating this reply, / am
compelled to add, however, that the
arrangements for the cruise of the fleet
Will make IL impossible for 1t to visit
more than one of the ports of China.
III is noted with pleasure that the
fleet will be welcomed by his excellen-
cy, Tuan Fang, the ViceTOy of Nam
king who is so agreeably recalled as
one of the imperial Chinese high COM
missioners who visited the United
States few years ago"
Music Festival, April I and 2.
Special rate of 15c and 25c TO all