The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-23
Eventual Movements Not Fix
ed, But Will Likely Return
By Suez Route.
CORDIAL INVITATION
TO VISIT AUSTRALIA
Letter Of Prime Minister Deakin
Made Public After Cabinet
Meeting, and Hope Ex-
pressed That Portion
OF Fleet May Take
the Trip.
" WASHINGTON. D. c., February
21.-Interesting and important

4" TASHlNGION, u. q, teoruar.
A 21.-Interesting and importan
" news relative to the futur
movements OF the American
battlesfip fleet was made public at tn
conclusion of the Cabinet meeting to
day by Secretary Metcalf, comprisin;
an invitation from the Australian gov
eminent to have the feet. or at ieas
some OF It's units. visit that country
After expressing his appreciation o
the invitation, the secretary says:
THE eventual movements OF our flee
have not yet been determined. Will
1t is probable that the vessels vii
return by way of Suez, l would b
glad II some OF them could be sent b.
the Australian route. but 1t would b
premature to promise this"
Australfn's Invitation.
The invitation was first mentioned Il
letter by Hon. Alfred Deakin, prim
minister of Australia, addressed t
John P. Bray, American consul-genera
at Melboure, dated December Gath last
as follows:
THE appearance in the Pacific Of
the great American fleet is an event
in the history not only of the
United States. but of that ocean.
We are naturally deeply interested
III tIIlS blSltp ana are anxious TO
have some opportunity of express
ing our sympathy with our kinsmen
in their demonstration Of naval
power.
There are two sides to the Paci-
fic, and 1t would be pity If only
one OF them were to be favored
with the presence of these ships.
/ propose. therefore, at suitable
time to address formal communi-
ton to the Governor-General. to be
forwarded to the colonial office.
requesting that an invitation be
sent to the President to permit
your feet to call at the Australian
ports.
II think you will be able to tell
your government what an enthu-
siastic, whole-hearted welcome bat
tleships under the American flag
will receive in the Commonwealth.
1t would be further token OF the
close alliance of interests and SYM
pathies which exist between us.
mo other federation of the world
possesses SO many features of like
ness to that OF the United States
as does the Commonwealth Of Aus
tralia, and I doubt whether any
two people could be found who are
in nearer touch with each other.
anu are Iihciy 10 peleuI more Dy
anything that tends to knit their
relations more closely. Australian
ports and portals would be wide
open to your ships and men, and
1t would be matter of great graf
ification If the President could see
his way to direct that the wishes
of this government be met in the
matter.
at is with a view Of enabling
your government to have time to
consider this proposal. which may
be made by cable, that I am now
communicating with you. Relying
on your friendly offices to insure
the most favorable reception pos
sible to this invitation, which
might have momentous and far
reaching consequences, am,
Yours faithfully,
"ALFRED DEAK1N."
Secretary Metcalf. in making the
correspondence public. expressed the
extreme qualification of the Navy De
rartment at the cordially indicated IL
the invitation. and added that the mat
ter would receive the earnest considera
ton of the department..