Omaha daily bee., 1908-03-25
Battlsships May Leave San Frar~
Before July 8.
Nebraska and Wisconsin,
Places Of Alabama and

WASHINGTON. March 2L-The battle
ship fleet VIII visit China as well as Aus
tralia and Japan and will be home on
Washington's birthday, that President
Roosevelt may participate in the welcome
befonS his retirement from office ten days
later.
In deciding at the cabinet session today
to accept the invitation extended by China,
It was also determfned that the limit Of the
social calls had been reached and that all
other invitations, should any be extended,
would be declined with appreciative and
regretflI thanks.
An earlier departure than July from
San Francisco II being contemplated in
arranging the extended itinerary. This.
however, win depend on the repairs neces-
sary when the ships reach that port. Ad-
miral Evans reported today that splendid
progress was being made in the target
practice at Magdalena bay. Nine Of the
ships have already completed their work.
These are the Maine. Alabama, Illinois.
Georgia, Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio. Ken
lucky and Ksarsarse. 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 overhaullng.
Invitation from China.
The Chinese invitation, which was ac-
ceDted today. comes from the ministry Of
foreign affairs in Peling. 1t reads:
AS the American fleet has decided to
Visit the tar east on ita tour around the
world we lave telegraphed instructions TO
the imperial high commissioner OF trade for
the eouthern ports. vicsroy Tuan Fang OF
Nanking 10 mako suitable preparations in
conjunction With Admiral Sab Chen-P Ping
to welcome the leet to our shores. Please
extend rmal INVITATION for the vessels
to visit our potts through the honorable
secretary of rta.e.
In tTars~ it;'ng this invitation through
you to yous government It is hardly neces-
saIy for ne 70 odd that 1t Is the desire of
my goyerRinen9 sps. prarle to give EXPIRES
sion, on thss occasion to the very friendly
feelings which they entertain toward the
American naticn and TO reciprocate fer the
many courteSies which have been extended
TO the representatives OF any country on
their visit to this country. You will remem-
Der Viceroy Tuan Fang as one Of the inn
per'al high commissioners who visited this
land three years ago to make special
study o. ycur laws and institutions. and 1
have no doubt that be considers It a special
P'fffNeN " leTh-NlpdNe IN arranging the re-
ception to your fleet
Trusting that your government Will see
It's way TO accept the invitation and assur-
Ing you. sir. OF my highest consideration -
Reply of Secretary Root.
To this Secretary Root today replied:
II have the honor to acknowledge the re-
ceipt Of the note OF the 2sd inst, oy which
you have conveyed to the government of
the United States the cordial invitation of
the imperial Chinese government for the
American fleet 10 visit China while I'm the
far east.
The communication OF this friendly ac-
ton on the part OF your government was at
once laid before the president. and it is
now my agreeable duty to have the honor
Of informing you that the government of
the United States is most happy TO accent
the Invitation. which Is done with especial
qualification I'm view of the friendship and
mutual good viii which have so long existed
between the American and Chinese govern
ments and peoples.
I'm communicating this reply, am COM
PEELED 20 add. however. that the arrange
ments Tor the cruise OF the fleet VIII make
II impossible tor II to visit more than one
OF the ports OF China.
1T is noted with pleasure that the fleet
Will be welcomed By his ezcenency, Tuan
Fang. the viceroy OF Nanking. who is so
agreeahly recalled as one of the imperial
Chinese high commissioners who visited
the United States a few years ago"