Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-03-21
THE PACIFIC FLEET
Will VISIT JAPAN.
Cordial Invitation From the Mikado
Promptly Accepted by United States
h Token Of Our Friendship.

Washington, March 20-The Ameri-
can battleship fleet is to visit Japan
The desire of the Emperor of the island
Kingdom to be host to the WarshpS
was laid before Secretary Root yester-
day by Baron Takahira the Japanese
Ambassador. The invitation, which was
couched in most cordial terms, was
made the subject of extended con-
sideration by President Roosevelt and
his entire cabinet today. Secretary
Root was directed to accept the invi-
tatiOn and the acceptance was laid be-
fore the Japanese ambassador late to-
DAG. Ii is regarded in official circles
here as more than likely that China
will be next to seek to entertain the
fleet and that should this be the case,
the invitation would be accepted
Secretary Metcalf and Admiral Pills
bury, chief of navigation, are arrang-
ing the details of the new itinerary.
Aside from China, it is believed, it has
been determined that all other invita-
tons, should any be received, will he
declined, because at best the fleet will
now not be able to reach the Atlantic
seaboard before the first of next March.
The itinerary which seems to be the
most direct includes stops at Hawaii,
Samoa, Melbourne, Sydney, Manila,
Yokohoma-should that port be Sc
lected as the stopping place iii Japan--
possibly a Chinese port, the Philippines
again and then home by the way of
the SueZ canal, with only such stops
as are necessary for coaling.
The fall target practice has been
planned to take month at Manila,
either before or after the visit to jan
an. Although target practice is re-
garded as decidedly important and the
custom is to have the ships take a
month at it each spring and fall. the
desire to have the fleet return to its
home station may lead to its curtail-
mcnt of the month planned for Manila.
Japan will have the ships a week,
to tentative plans. With
visit to Manila first no coaling opera
items will be necessary. at least to any
considerable extent in Yokohama This
would enable the entire stay there to
be given up to festivities and other
programs of the visit.
The acceptance of the Japanese in
vitation is regarded in official circles
as OF considerable Importance in the
way of demonstration of the cor
diality existing between the American
and japanese governments. The added
trip is nearly equal in distance to a
voyage from New York to Europe.
Late tonight, the state department
made public the Japanese note invit-
ing the American battleship fleet to
visit japan and the Presidents re-
Spouse accepting the invitation. The
correspondence is as follows:
Japanese Embassy, Washington,
March IS. 1908.
Sir: Under instruction from His
Majestys minister for foreign affairs,
| have the honor to communicate to
you that the imperial government,
having learned of the contemplated
cruise of the United States battleship
fleet from San Francisco to the Philip
pine islands are sincerely anxious to
be afforded an opportunity to cordially
welcome that magnificent fleet and to
give an enthusiastic expression to the
sentiment of friendship and admiration
invariably entertained by the people
of Japan towards the people of the
United States. / am further instructed
to inform you that the imperial gov
eminent are firmly convinced of the re-
assuring effect which the visit of Am
erican fleet to the shores of Japan will