THE PACIFIC FLEET.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9046, 23 March 1908, Page 5

THE PACIFIC FLEET.

TO VISIT .JAPAN. A CORDIAL INVITATION. Received March .22, 4.5 p.m. NEW YORK, March.2l. A cordial invitation to the.Pacific fleet to visit any port in Japan on the homeward cruise .was presented to Mr Elihu Root,. Secretary of State, on Thursday, ami .accepted .yesterday. The fleet will, therefore, visit Yokohama. Mr Taft, interviewed, .predicted that the Japanese would accord a warm welcome to the fleet, which would surprise the ;pessimist. Mr Taft added.: "There has been no addition to the programme for the fortification of .the Pacific, Coast fixed some years ago." PRESS COMMENTS. LONDON, .March 21. The "Daily Mail" .says the meeting of the Japanese and American fleets will be 'welcomed Jb.y all as a success for British diplomacy. The "Daily News" remarks that the invitation is peasant.and .tactful, and the acceptance .a happytomen fox the future. FROM MAINS TO CALIFORNIA. AMERICA STIRRED. JINGOES EFFECTUALLY SILENCED. LONDON, March .21. The Washington correspondent of the "Chronicle" states that as Mr A. Deakin's invitation for the fleet to visit Austialia was accepted, .the Cabinet judged that it was imperative that no difference should be made in the case of Japan. The decision of the Cabinet has been well received.. It is believed that it will lead to the development of improved relations. The New York correspondent of the "Express" says:-"The fleet's visit to Japan has stirred the whole of the country from Maine to Califor-; nia. The Government has effec'tu-; ally silenced the Jingoes." ! According to naval experts, the: fleet is in a better condition than at the start. The voyage around Cape ; Horn demonstrated *,he thorough seaworthiness of the vessels.