The San Francisco call., 1896-04-03

! that at this meeting place of the Occident and
the Orient such courtesies should be EXTENDED
to distinguished guests
We have with us to-day a gentleman who
represents in a marked degree the old and new
condition of affairs in that great nation which
has, by force OF charater, placed itself in the
front rank OF the great nations of the earth
When our Commodore Perry gave the right
hand OF fellowship to the japanese Govern
ment forty-two years ago, the American peo-
pie undertook the responsibility OF fathsring
this new nation into the general family and
with what success, careful examination of
national events ION the other side OF the Paci-
fic viii show.
a recent report issued by the Yokohama
Chamber of Commerce sets forth that out of
$123 GOO, 900 of the foreign trade OF Japan for
the year 1894, $41 100000, or one-third, was
with the United States, and this Chamber OF
Commerce only voices the sen ntiments of the
people OF California and the United States at
large in the desire to cultivate the further ex-
tension of such intimate relations.
Our honored guest comes to us as q broad
minded statesman, trus ted councillor and a
victorious general, and to him, in the name of
the City OF San Francisco and the State OF Cali
fornia, we tender our bestwishes for safe and
prosperous journey to his destination at Mos
COW, q safe return to his home in japan and
that he will convey to the Emperor of japan
and his people our best wishes and highest re-
| CARDS Tor the prosperity and growth of their
country.
| Marshal Yamagata responded to the
! greeting, speaking the Japanese language
The speech was repeated in English by the
interpreter. He spoke as if the MARQUIS
himself were speaking and expressed un-
mixed Joy and satisfaction over the hos
pitable and kind reception accorded. and
accepted the demonstration as another
proof of the comfy and courtesy existing
between Japan and the United States.
Nelghbors as We are it is but natural that
we hail you as the harbinger of civiliza-
! ton. History throws more vivid light on
this friendship and development than nv
words can express. can assure you that
sentiments of sympathy and admiration
Tor Americans have been awakened in
Japan. l feel sure that the triple ties of
history, neighborhood and sympathy will
keep alive the cordial amity which has SO
long existed. Of the high eulogistic term
in which your president has spoken of me
personally, can say that do not merit
the eulogy, but the friendly and hospitable
sentiment so expressed for Japan by Mr..
Craig are reciprocated. In thanking YOU
once more let me assure you that in leaving
you take the most agreeable souvenirs
OF the hospitality and courtesy of the
people of California
The speech of the Marquis as inter
preted by his accomplished Interpreter
was greeted with the warmest applause. I.
The president then introduced George
W. McNear, but the grain merchant asked
to be excused from making an address. and
the excuse was granted.
The next speaker introduced was Saburo
Koya. the Consul of Japan in this CITY.
He responded, expressing thanks for the
| honor conferred in being requested to ad
dress an audience of San Francisco mer-
chants. He referred to the kindness which
Japan entertained for the United States
and said that the sent iment OF admiration
for America was understood and appre-
ciated by the Japanese schoolboy. He
assured his listeners that japan would
continue to be the friend of America. He
hoped that the ties of friend ship which
joined the two countries together would
never be broken. He spoke of Commo-
dore Perry. and said his visit enlightened
Japan, not for America alone, but for ali
the world.
AT the conclusion of the Consul's re-
marks Mr.. Craig invited the merchants
and others present to come forward and
receive introduction to the Marquis Yama-
gaia. line was formed and in turn