Show mum TO JAPAN 1 is I 1 ACCEPTED AC UL TD F TD details of new itinerary ar ara ranged by pillsbury ry and metcalf washington march 20 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 ladd before secretary root hoot yesterday by baron takahara lra the japanese ambassador the invitation which was couched in most cordial terms was made the subject of extended consideration by president roosevel and andnis his entire cabinet today secretary root was directed to accept the invitation and the acceptance was alaid laid before the J japanese japanese ambassador late today it is regarded in official circles as more than likely that china will be next to bid for 9 a laok at the fleet and that should this be the case the invitation vi would be accepted secretary Ilet calf and admiral pillsbury Pill abury chief of navigation are arranging the details of the now new itinerary with the exception of china it is believed to have been determined that all other should any be received will be declined for at best the fleet will not be able to roach reach the atlantic seaboard before the of next larch the itinerary which seems seema to be I 1 the most direct includes stops at the hawaiian islands samoa melbourne sydney manila yokohama should that port be selected as the stopping place in japan possibly a chinese port back to the philippines and then home by way of the suea canal with only such stops as are necessary for coaling the fall target practice has been planned to occupy a full month at manila either before or after jhb th e visit to japan although tho the ta et practice 6 is regarded as decidedly important por tant and the custom Is to haye have the ships occupy a month eich each spring and tall fall in gun practice the desire to have the fleet return to its home station may lead to a curtailment of vie the month planned for ml manila anila japan will have the he ships a week according to tentative plans while the stops in foreign ports so far made have been on an average of ten days daya duration a part of that time was occupied in taking on coal with a visit to manila first no coaling operations would be necessary at least to any consid considerable emble extent in Yoko yokohama hapia this would en enable able the entire stay the there re to be given up to the festivities and show features of the visit the acceptance of the Japa japanese neso invitation vi Is regarded in official circles as of considerable importance in the ahe way of a demonstration of the cordiality exist existing lug between tho Ame american and japanese governments the added trip is neatly nearly equal in distance to a voyage from new york to europe the text of the invitation and nd of tho the reply has been withheld i from publication li cation by the departs department ae nt of slate 1 I pending ing its receipt by the ia japanese government late tonight the state department gave out the japanese note in biting tho fleet etto to visit japan and the presidents response accepting epting the invitation tho correspondence to la as fol follows loWA japanese embassy washington D C march 18 1 sir under instructions efrom his maje minister tor for foreign affairs 1 I 1 have the honor boner to communicate to you that the imperial government having learned of the contemplated cruise of the united states battleship fleet from san francisco to the philippine islands are sincerely anxious to he be afforded an opportunity to cordially dial welcome that magnificent fleet and to give an enthusiastic expression to tho the I 1 sentiment of friendship and admiration mi ration invariably entertained by the people of japan toward the people of the united states 1 01 I am further instructed to inform you that the imperial government is firmly convinced of the reassuring effect which the visit of the american fleet to the shores of japan will produce upon the traditional relations of good understanding and mutual sympathy so happily exists between the two nations and to express to you tho the hope of the imperial government that the fleet may be instructed to call at the principal ports of japan in its oate extended nad cruise in the pacific accept sir the renewed assurance of my highest cop consideration signed K ELIHU ROOT secretary of state though secretary root is in the cit city Y the reply Keply to the japanese n note 0 te was prepared and signed by assistant secretary bacon department of state washington march 20 1908 1 I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your valued note of the dinst by which you are so go good as to cony convey on behalf of the imperial government an invitation for the american fleet now on the pacific bacille coabe to visit the principal ports of japan 1 I have the honor and nd pleasure to lo say in reply that tho the president to whom I 1 have bave communicated this cour tyous and friendly action on the part dart of your government highly appreciating this evidence of the hearty good will of the japanese nation has charged me to request you to inform your government m that t the united states Is most happy to accept the invitation vi it gives this government peculiar pleasure to accept because of the long existing and unbroken friendship between the two countries and tho the sincere sincere I 1 regard of the american people for the people of japan 1 I regret to add however th that at the limits of oc time imposed by the arrangements for the return of the fleet to the atlantic coast of the united states will not permit a visit to more thai than ono one of the ports of japan accept excellency the renewed assurances su rances of my highest consideration signed ROBERT BACON acting secretary |