New-York tribune., 1908-03-21
FLEET TO VISIT JAPAN
INITIATION ACCEPTED.
Neso Proof of Friendship Berzceen
the T7co Nations May 90 to China.

the I5CO NdtlOnS-.N0y CO to hinG.
Washington March 2o-The American battle
ship fleet is to visit Japan. The desire of the
Emperor to play host to the Blk Sixteen was
expressed to Secretary Root yesterday by Baron
Takahira, the Japanese Ambassador 1he IN
vitation which in the most cordial terms,
was considered by President Roosevelt and the
Cabinet to-day. Secretary Root was directed to
accept the invitation, and the acceptance was
communicated to Baron Takahira this after
noon.
1t is regarded in official circles here as more
than likely that China will be next to bid for
look at the fleet and that should this be the
case the invitation would be accepted.
Secretary Metcalf and Admiral Pillsbury, chiet
of the bureau of navigation. are arranging the
details of the new itinerary. With the eXcep-
ton of China it is believed to have been decided
that all other invitations. should any be re-
ceived, must be declined. for at best the fleet
will now not be able to reach the Atlantic sea-
board before the first of next March.
The itinerary which seems to be the most
direct includes stops at the Hawaiian Islands.
Samoa, Melbourne Sydney, Manila, Yokohama
should that port be selected the stopping
place in Japan-possibly a Chinese port, back
to the Philippines. and then home by way of the
Suez Canal, with only such stops as are neces-
sary for coalng.
The fall target practice has been planned TO
occupy month at Manila either before or after
the visit to Japan Although target practice is
regarded decidedly important. and the GUS
tom is to have the ships occupy month each
spring and fall in it. the desire to have the
fleet return to its home station may lead to a
curtailment of the month planned for Manila.
Japan will have the ships a week, according
to tentative plans. While the stops in foreign
ports far made have been on an average of
ten days each, part of that time was occupied
in taking on coal With a visit to Manila first.
no coaling would be necessary, at least to any
considerable extent. in Yokohama. This would
enable the entire stay there to be given up to
festivities and show features of the visit
The acceptance of the Japanese invitation IS
regarded in official circles here Of considerable
Importance demonstration of the cordial
ity existing between the American and japanese
governments The added trip is nearly equal In
distance to a voyage from New York to Eu-
rope
THE INVITATION AND THE REPLY
Late tonight the State Department gave out
the note inviting the fleet to visit Japan and
the Presidents response accepting the invitation,
The correspondence is follows:
Japanese Embassy,
Washington, March IS, 1908.
Sir: Under instruction from his majesty s
Minister for Foreign Affairs, have the honor
to communicate to you that the imperial gov
ernment having learned of the contemplated
cruise of the United States battleship fleet from
San Francisco to the Philippine Islands. are
sincerely anxious to be afforded opportunity
cordially to welcome that magnificent fleet and
to give enthusiastic expression to the senti-
ment of friendship and admiration Invariably
entertained by the people of Japan toward the
people of the United States
/ further instructed to inform you that
the reassuring effect which the visit of the
American fleet to the shores of Japan will pro-
duce upon the traditional relations of good Un
derstanding and mutual sympathy which so
happily exist between the two nations, and to
express to you the hope of the imperial gov
ernment that the fleet may be instructed to
call at the principal ports Of Japan in its ex-
tended cruise in the Pacific.
highest consideration X TAKAHIRA.
Hon. Elihu Root. Secretary of State.
Although Secretary Root is in the city, the re-
ply to the Japanese note was prepared and
signed by Assistant Secretary Bacon. 1t is
follows:
Department of state,
Washington. March 20, 1908.
have the honor to acknowledge the receipt
of your valued note of the 18th inst. by which
you good to convey. on behalf of the
imperial government, an invitation for the
American fleet now on the Pacific Coast to Visit
the principal ports of Japan
/ have the honor and pleasure to say in reply
that the President, to whom | have commun-
Gated this courteous and friendly action on the
part of your government. highly appreciating
this evidence of the hearty good VIII of the
Japanese nation has charged me TO request you
to inform your government that the United
States is most happy TO accept the invitation
1t gives this government peculiar pleasure 10
accent because of the long existing and un
broken friendship between the two countries and
the sincere regard of the American people for
the people of Japan
7 regret to add, however the limits of time i'm
posed by the arrangements for the return of the
fleet 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 consideration
ROBERT BACON. Acting Secretary.
His Excellency. Baron Kogoro Takahira, Am
bassador of japan
Ambassador Takahira, on being officially in
formed tonight of this governments accept
ance of the invitation to the fleet, said:
Had 1 known earlier that the battleship fleet
was going visit the Orient the invitation from
our government would have been extended ear
lier 1t is a matter of great satisfaction to our
people to have the battleShp fleet visit Japan.
The Emperor and the people of Japan will ex-
tend a hoSpitablc welcome to the officers and
men of the fleet l personally am glad that the
invitation has been accepted. it Will give the
Japanese people an opportunity to show their
cordial good will toward America.
BRITISH VIEWS OF TISIT.