THE AMERICAN FLEET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13709, 27 March 1908, Page 5

THE AMERICAN FLEET.

VISIT TO CHINA.

INVITATION ACCEPTED.

By Telegraph,— Association.—

(Received March 26, 11 p.m.)

New York, March 26. It is officially announced at Washington that the invitation sent by the Chinese' Government to the American fleet, which is now in the Pacific, to visit Nanking, has been accepted by the Government of the United Stales. The fleet, which consists of 53 vessels, under the command of RearAdmiral Robley D. Evans, will leave San Francisco on July G, and will visit Hawaii, Samoa, Melbourne, and Sydney in that order. After leaving Australia the fleet will proceed to the Philippines for the autumn gunnery practice, thence' visiting Japan and China. The vessels will return to America via the Suez Canal, through the Mediterranean and across the Atlantic. So far Sir Joseph Ward has received no reply to the invitation which be, on behalf of ti'. ? Government, extended to the American ileet to visit New Zealand during its cruise in Australasian- waters. It is reported Unit a Wellington resident who is in close touch with influential Americans in' Australia has been advised that there is a remote chance of Admiral Evans' fleet touching at a New Zealand port. If it is intended to make a deviation in the plans arranged at Washington, by which the officers and men of the American fleet will he enabled to make their acquaintance with New Zealand, Auckland is almost certain, they say, to be the only port that will have the honour of welcoming the visitors.