Weekly Arizona journal-miner. [volume] (Prescott, Ariz.) 1903-1908, 1908-04-01
AN EPOCH MAKING CRUISE.

pIeIe1, HccofulhR 10 tue route pI'H'HD
ed, the feet will have travelled 1906
miles, or, in round numbers, $1,000.
The New York Herald pronounccs this
"the greatest cruise in history
When we consider the number and size
of these mighty vessels, their arma-
ment and equipment, and tne thousa nds
of trained men they carry, this cruise,
If successfully completed, win be ne
tirely without parallel in preceding his
tory, and it may fairly be called an
epoch making event.
No voyage heretofore undertaken has
ever, to anything like equal degree, en-
listed the attention and awakened the
interest of the world II is just now
the most extensively interesting event
Transporting anywhere in the world. II
is exceedingly pleasing to note the es.
tremely friendly comments made by
the officials and the newspapers Of all
countries, and 20 be assured OF the
warm welcome that awaits our fleet al
every port waere il may call.
Cordial invitations and offers Of hos.
Pitality have already boen extended, or
are about to be extended, by. every i'm.
portant country along whose shores
our ships may sail, or ut whose ports
they may think well TO call. SO far
the cruise has been an ovation, the
South American states vying with one
another in the effort 10 show honor
and hospitality, and this ovation is Ger.
tain 20 grow in earnestness and spleu.
dor as the feet proceeds.
II was thought in some quarters that
this cruise would be regarded by the
world as threatening exhibition Of
our naval power, and rather as sort
Of challenge TO all nations, especially
10 Japan. IL never had such a purpose,
and We are glad TO know that no such
purpose il thought Of by any. This
voyage is now regarded by all nations
as splendid expedition in the inter.
est Of peace and good will to all men.
Because there has been some sligni
friction in our relations with Japan, il
was feared by some that this great
cruise in Pacific waters might 70 con.
strued by that empire, especially rs
spectacular warning, and, in fact, as a
bit Of banter. Japan has had too much
sense to think Of any such thing. Jap.
an made haste TO send most hearty
invitation to the fleet 10 visit one of
her chief ports, in order tnat that eoun.
try might be able to show friendship
and hospitality.
This invitation has been promptly
accepted, and the effect IL most happy
in both countries. The japanese min.
lister Of marine says: "Japan greatly
desires that the American fleet shall
VISIT one OF her principal ports in or.
der that there may be a practical dem.
onstration for the United States and
tnc American people. The foreign
office has said: "Tne decision Of the
American government TO send the feet
on the tour of the world should finally
silence all war talk II is a guaranty
OF the peace Of the world. Military
and naval officers are unanimous in
pronouncing the proposed tour az one
OF the greatest achievements of his.
tory"
The German officials and newspapers
are speaking Of the cruise and Of the
ieet in the most friendly and fatterinp
Terms. Newspapers in Berlin are de. |
'iaring that "the fleets performances
IRE certain to place the American navy |
m nigh level in the worlds opinion,
md add to the esprit de corps for
which its personnel has long been ia.
nous.
The British government is being
rged TO extend an invitation TO the
'attleships to come To England, and
uch invitation we are told is being
repaired. Other nations are preparing
o follow the example.
We believe il is the first time In
istory when any nation sent out
reat feet Of warships, when the action
'as not looked upon as a threat, and
'hen otaer nations did not keep a
harp and jealous watch of the pro.
eedings. Such q thing, even on n
mall scale, was always regarded with
cen suspicion. The very opposite is
rue now, and of our fleet. Nobody
oubts our peaceful intentions, and
verybody regards this, not as war.
Ike demonstration, but as a great pro.
of peace with all nations.
The track laid down to be followed
y this great fleet is very much the
anne as that followed by Drake. who
the first war aeot TINT