Los Angeles herald., 1908-03-21
BATTLESHIP
FLEET WILL
VISIT JAPAN
MIKAD0'S INVITATION TO NAVY
ACCEPTED
WAR VESSELS TO PASS WEEK IN
NIPPoNEsE PORT
Secretary Root, Acting on Advice Of
President, Sends Notification
to Ambassador
Takahira

BY Associated Press.
WASHINGTON, March 2O-The
American battleship fleet is to visit
Japan. The desire of the emperor OF
the island kingdom to play host to
the fleet was laid before Secretary
Root yesterday by Baron Takahira,
the Japanese ambassador
The invitation, which was couched
in most cordial terms, was made the
subject of extended consideration by
President Roosevelt and his entire cab
met today.
Secretary Root was directed to ac-
cept the invitation and the acceptance
was laid before the Japanese ambassa-
dor late today.
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 invi-
tation will be accepted.
Arranging itinerary
Secretary Metcalf and Admiral Pills.
bury chief of navigation, are arrang-
ing the details of the new itinerary
With the exception of China 1t is de-
termined that all other invitations,
should any be received, will be de-
clined, for at the best the fleet Will
not now 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 the Ha-
Waiian islands, Samoa, Melbourne, Sgd
ney, Manila, Yokohama (should that
port be selected as the stopping place
in Japan, possibly a Chinese port.
back to the Philippines and then nome
by way of the Suez canal, with only
such stops as are necessary for coal
ing.
The fall target practice has been
MANNED to occupy a month at Manila,
either before or after the visit 10
Japan. Although target practice Is re-
earded as decidedly important. ana the
custom Is to have the ships occupy
a month each spring and fall IN gun
practice, the desire to have the neet
return to it's home station may leao
to a curtailment of the month planned
for Manila.
Weeks Visit to Japan
Japan will have the ships week. ac-
cordinp TO the tentative plans. While
the stops In foreign ports so far made
have been on an average OF ten Gays
duration, a part of that time was oc-
cupied in taking on coal. with q Vlsi,
to Manila no coaling operations WI,
he necessary in Yokohama. This wouio
enable the entire stay there to be given
IN to the festivities and show features
of the visit. -,
The acceptance of the Japanese invi-
tation Is regarded in official circles as
of considerable Importance In tne way
of showing the cordiality existing pc
tween Japan and the United states.
The added trip is nearly equal In dls-
tahoe to a voyage from New YORK 10
Europe. a tho
,.a,,i,, has been withheld from publica-
tion nv the department of state, penu-
ing it's receipt by the Japanese govern
ment.
Letter from Japan
gIote tonight the state department
.o.'a ont the Japanese note inviting the
4 r,erican ships to visit Japan ana the
-,rasident's response. accepting the IN
Citation. The correspondence Is as ioi-
JAPANESE EMBASSY, Washing
TON March 1S.-Sir: Under lnstructloIls
from his majesty's minister FOR 1oreisil
AFFAIRS | have the honor TO comnlumi
cata m vou that the imperial govern
s,aan+ having learned of the contem-
Mated cruise of the United States bat
tIashin fleet from San Francisco TO tne
phiIinnine islands, are sincerely anxious
IN he afforded an opportunity TO cor
diaiIv welcome that magnificent meet
and to give an expression TO the seIiti-
ment of friendship and admiration IN
variably entertained by the people "a
Japan toward the people OF tne oiii'eu
States. a 20 ;nform
"I am further instructed TO INFORM
vo, that the imperial government Is
ARMY convinced of the reassuring Ell :
fact which the visit of the American
deet 10 the shores of Japan VIII pro-
duce upon the traditional relations oi
good understanding and mutual SYM
nathy which 50 happily exists petWeen
The two nations, and to express 10 you
the hone of the imperial government
tat the fleet may be instructed 10 eau
at the principal ports of Japan IN lts
extended cruise in the Pacif1c.
ACCEPT, sir the renewed assurance
of nv highest consideration.
" I'M. TAKAHIRA.
"Elihu Root, secretary of state
Bacon Sends Reply
Though Secretary Root is in the city
tho reply to the Japanese note was pre-
pared and signed by Assistant Secre-
tary Bacon: sr rr, xuosh-
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, vast
ington, March 20.-I have the honor 10
the receipt of your vaiueu
,,bte az the 18th inst, by which you are
60 good as to convey, on behalf of the
imperial i government, an invitation for
ths American fleet, now on the Pacific
coast, to visit the principal ports OF
IT have the honor and the pleasure
Ia saw in reply that the president, to
teo,,s mou,' and friendly action on the part
of ofo Your government, highly appreciat;,
ing this evidence of the hearty gpod
vii of the Japanese nation, mas
cha Jml rged me to request you to inform
vnur @ government that the United states
Is most happy to accept the invitation.
II n gives this government peculiar
pleasure to accept because OF the long
evisting and unbroken friendship be-
tween fhe two countries and the sin.
fcontinued on Page TW0)