The herald., 1896-08-06
THE DISTINGUISHED VISITORS
s. ASANO

the foreign trade of the island empire.
1t is especially designed to establish
line of steamers to ply between Japanese
ports and the west coast of America.
The object of Mr.. Asano's visit to this
country is to select port which is to be
the eastern terminus of the proposed
trans-Pacific line. He has already in
spected the ports of Seattle, Tacoma,
Portland and San Francisco, and is now
on the way to San Diego to see what ad-
vantages that place has to offer.
Mr. Tomioka, who accompanies Mr.
Asano in the capacity of confidential adj
wiser, is a -faring man and has COM
manded some big vessels. He is a share
holder in the Togo Kisen Kaisha, and
will probably have command of its feet.
Mr.. Ottawa Is also a leading shareholder
in the steamship company, and is inter-
ested with Mr.. Asano in the manufac-
ture of cement and other enterprises.
Mr.. Ottawa was educated in the United
States, and speaks English fluently. Mr..
Tomioka also speaks good English Mr.
Asano discourses only in the vernacular
of his native country, but all who meet
him are impressed with the fact that he
is a shrewd and observing man.
The Japanese dignitaries are chaper-
oned during their tour OF the coast by
Mr.. and Mrs. a. H. Butler. formerly OF
San Diego but now of Japan. Mr.. But
Ter is the gentlemen who several years
ago removed the old Otay watch factory
from San Jose, where it had been tempo
rarily established after being taken
away from San Diego, to Japan. This
factory is now being successfully oper-
ated by Japanese labor and Mr. Butlcr'5
connection with it has given him the op-
70 1,n ntt 4.
anese capitalists to the possibility Of
closer commercial relations with the
United States. 1t was mainly owing to
mis- suggestion that Mr.. Asano and assoc
ciates decided to visit San Diego with
the view of making that city terminal
port or the new steamship line. Mr. Bur
Ter accordingly accepted the invitation
to accompany Mr.. Asano on his tour Of
inspection, and is proving a valuable
guide owing to his wide acquaintance
with the people here and the existing
trade conditions.
Another distinguished member of the
party which arrived yesterday Is James
r. Morse of Yokohama, who has spent
the best part of twenty-five years in
Japan as an exporter of Japanese goods.
Mr.. Morse left Yokohama last May ami
was In New York attending to the bus
mess OF his house there when he received
telegram from Mr.. Asano requesting
him to meet the party in San Francisco
IN order to assist them in the selection
OF terminal port. Mr.. Morse COMPLIED
with the request and is taking great in
terest in the establishment of a perma-
nent line OF steamers between this coast
and Japan.
Fl. c. Bush, assistant freight and mas
senger agent of the Atlantic and Pacific
road also accompanied the party from
san francisco. III. Kobayashi. Mr.
Asanos secretary. remained in San
francisco to attend to some unfinished
business there.
RECEPTION OF THE VISIvOpc
The visitors were received at the Ar
Gaze depot by w. G.. Patterson. presj
cent OF the chamber of commerce. TT w
FRANK. president of the Merchants and
manufacturers associations: several cit
IAens ana railroad men and COMMITTEES
from san Diego. After introductions
and handshaklng they were escorted r.
tne Hotel Westminster where more bus.
them. " iheet
After luncheon the visitors were teksn
IN mana by PRESIDENT Frank and s r.
LEWIS VI tne merchants and Manufac-
turers association and escorted to tba
chamber of commerce, where the boar1
or directors was in session. Presidert
Patterson extended to them a. formal
welcome, and they We're then turnod
over to superintendent Virgins who PRO.
SocuSu " 9ioW tIleHl eNfythlQC in tha
exhibit hall from the walnut elenhant
down to the chuckawallas, which came
in for no small part of wonder and adm
ration. The gentlemen from the orient
went into ecstacies over the display of
citrus and deciduous fruits, and declsre,i
that any country which could produce
such variety of good things was to be
envied
INTEREST IN OIL.
visit to the oil fields was next in or
der and awakened even greater interest
on the part of the Japs than did the
chamber of commerce exhibit It was
Herald reporters good fortune to ride
in carriage with Mr.. Asano through
the oil district, and the scribe was kept
busy answering questions about the oil
industry. Instead of being interviewed
the oriental steamship magnate turned
interviewer, and through his interpreter
Mr.. Ottawa. asked for every conceivable
item Conformation concerning the pro-