THE AMERICAN FLEET.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 195, 12 May 1908, Page 4

THE AMERICAN FLEET.

PROGRAMME ARRANGEMENTS. lav szLEauirn.—rnEss association.! Auckland, May 11. A Washington dispatch of March 24 stated that the .United States.Cabinet had decided to accept the invitation of China to have the Atlantic battleship fleet visit part of that country.. Invitations so far accopted include Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, Japan; and China. All other stops will bo strictly for coaling, purposes. Tho Sau Francisco reception committeo had adopted a programme • including:—May 6, a reception and- a ball in connection with tlio opening of tho club house for enlisted men, ctc.; May 7, parade, reception by'tho Governor arid Mayor,, Governor's banquet, tne first of nine informal receptions, the first of band concerts; May'B, review of tho fleet by the Secretary of the Navv (Sir. Metcalf), games in-tho Stadium, boat races, banquet to commanding officers; May 9, Oakland day ; May-10,'' Yacht Club cruise, religious services;.May.ll,' auto rido for '100 officers, observations, car rido for one thous4nd enlisted men, reception and ball; boat iaces for Bittanberg Cup, which is the big Navy event; May 12, children's day—3s,ooo children to visit the'battleships; May 13, ft day of athletics at the Stadium-; May' 14, Berkeley day dinner by graduates to tlio U.S.. Naval Academy; May 15, Santo Ror.o day, events, which. will include reception by native sons and illative daughters, c':c. ' :

Mr. C. W. Palmer, secretary of tho Navy League, has written to the headmasters of tho various schools stating that a number of youthful adherents of the Lcaguo would doubtless liko-to seo somo of the battleships, but as matters stand- at present it does not appear likely 'that any of tho warships will como. further south than' Auckland. Ho says it has been suggested that'-'the juvenile members of' the League should 'join in addressing, a ■.letter to thb Right" -Hon., the 'Premier (in bis capacity as president of the Navy League throughout New ■ Zealand) asking whether there is not a prospect of arranging for some of the battleships 1 to visit Wellington before leaving New Zealand waters. If tho • suggestion meets-with .'.approval tho addressees arc requested to obtain signatures to bo attached to the letter referred to.