The British Ambassador to the Secretary of State.
Washington , March 1, 1905 .
Sir: By instructions from His Majesty’s principal secretary of state for foreign affairs, I have the honor to inform you that it is in contemplation to arrange for a cruise by the second cruiser squadron, under the command of Rear-Admiral His Serene Highness Prince Louis of Battenberg, G. C. B., G. C. V. O., during the ensuing autumn.
It is proposed that this squadron should visit the ports of Newport, New York, and Annapolis, and the lords commissioners of the admiralty suggest that, in the event of these visits meeting with the acquiescence of the United States Government, the President should be asked to receive the rear-admiral and his officers at Washington.
I am instructed therefore to inquire of the United States Government whether the contemplated visits to the three American ports mentioned would be acceptable and whether the President would be willing to receive the rear-admiral and his officers, and if so, what date would be most convenient.
The lords commissioners are prepared, as soon as the wishes of the President and the United States Government are known, to furnish the names, ranks, and seniority of the members of the rear-admiral’s staff and of the captains of the several ships. They have suggested to Lord Lansdowne that perhaps the month of October would be the most convenient period.
The squadron will consist of the following first-class armored cruisers: His Majesty’s ships Drake, Cornwall, Essex, Berwick, Cumberland, and Suffolk.
I have, etc.,