The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-10-20
Then Make Voyage to
the Pacific Through
Panama Canal.
PRESIDENT SENDS
OUT INVITATIONS
Greatest International Fleet Ever
Gathered in American Waters
Will Be One Feature of Cele-
bration in Connection With
Completion Of New Wa
terway on Isthmus.

Washington, October 19-Anchored
in Hampton Roads early in 1915 will
be the greatest international feet ever
gathered In American waters. assem-
bled In answer to the invitation of the
United states government to celebrate
the completion of the Panama Canal
by making voyage to the Pacific
through the new waterway.
The precise, number of vessels which
VIII lie'in the famous roadstead is not
yet known to the officers OF the Navy
Department in charge of the arrange
mcnts for the rendezvous. as so far
there have been no formal responses
received to the Invitations dispatched
by the State Department to ali Of the
nations OF the world. Some of the
nations, with great navies may be
represented by SQuadrons of four or
more warships.; others by only ono or
Two, and some of the countries prac-
tically without navies Including YES
seis OF the first class will be repre-
sented only In the personnel OF their
Legations and commissions to the pan
anna Pacific Exposition
Invitations Sent Out.
The exact date of the rendezvous
probably will be announced within tho
next TWO months. The formal invi-
tation of the United States was die
OF the United States abroad September
Z last by Secretary Bryan II recited
the fact that In the navy act of 1911
the President was authorized and re-
quested In extending his invitation to
foreign nations to participate in the
exposition. also Ito invite their repre-
scntativesa and their fleets to assemble
at Hampton Roads Va. and from there
come to the city of Washington, there
10 DC formally welcomed by the Presi :
dent" The President also is to go to
hampton Roads TO srcvieW the as
semoied fleets ms they start on their
voyage to San Francisco
IT Is expected that the American IN
Vltation Will meet with general ac
ceptance. and the result will be tho
gathering OF fleet of perhaps seven
ty-hve or one hundred warships OF the
pest type. for the reason that slow
and antiquated vessels would he nm
aole TO keep pace with the rest of the
meet In the cruise from Hampton Roads
to the Golden Gate.
In Command of Vice-Admirnl
Inc International fleet will prob
aoly be under command OF an American
vice admiral. in all likelihood, Cameron
NICK. Winslow, for IT is expected that
Congress. which has authorized the n
sembly. will make provision Tor this
new grade, rather than have the Amer
lcan commander outranked by some
foreign naval officer. The ceremonies
at Hampton Roads and tho time re-
CURED for visit to Washington bv
the foreign visitors will consume about
Il week or ten days. and then headed
by the American fleet, probably with
the superdreadnaugh New York. nt
the right of the column, the great
armada will take Its way southward
for Colon.
1t is estimated that about four DAYS
VIII be required to pass the tieet
through the locks and the canal, and
about twice that length OF time will
suffice to reDlendish the coal bunkers
and oil tanks OF the ships, before they
resume their cruise, this time steaminr
northward for San Francisco. Alto
gether II Is planned to make the com
plete voyage from Hampton Roads to
the Golden Gate In forty-two DAYS.
which Will include a stop of a day or
two at some harbor or roadstead on
the Pacific Coast, probably Magdalena
BAY, for additional fuel and supplies.
AT San Francisco. there will be elabo-
rate ceremonies conducted under the
auspices of the management of the ex-
position, and when these have con.
cluded the great fleet will break up
and the different squadrons start for
their respective home ports.