Omaha daily bee., 1896-05-10

| General Grant showed great eloquence. What
| pleased him most, he said, was the unmis-
| taxable friendship toward America. and he
assured the emperor that the same feeling
existed in the United States for the welfare
! and advancement of the Japanese.
America 10 your nearest neighbor,' said
| the general in concluding, and will always
extend her sympathy and support to Japan
| in her efforts to advance and become one OF
| the great civilized nations.
FOURTH OF JULY IN JAPAN.
"The emperor then informed his guest that
| he had observed that the next day would
be the anniversary of the birth of American
| independence, and that arrangements had
| been made to make it a general fete day
in his honor. The general, recognizing the
motive that had prompted these prepara-
TONS seemed overcome with pleasure. He
thanked the emperor many times, and then
retired to his quarters to rest himself. See
ing how much he needed the rest, the en-
peror left strict orders that no one disturb
him.
and clear, and it was welcomed by the firing
of guns from the forts and ships of the
navy in the bay. Many fireworks were set
off all over the city and especially near the
palace, where the great man lived, SO as TO
make him feel as much at home as possible.
1t Is said that some boys went and bought
the largest firecracker they could find in
the shops Of the Gina, and then forming in
military line, marched to the Eurorio Kwan
to give a large salute to the great hero
before the entrance. AS they approached
they saw the general seated on the lawn.
Removing their head coverings they pro-
ceeded to plant the big cracker in some loose
soil and when this had been done, touched
some fire to the stem. AS they had expected
the cracker made large report and they saw
that they had attracted the attention of the
general, who hadlbeen interested in reading
a newspaper. The boys were much pleased
and stood and gazed at him, but when he
started to come toward them, became fright
ened and ran as fast as they could.
"All this great day the fete was kept up.
In the afternoon the general, accompanied
by the emperor, reviewed a parade OF the
soldiers of Toxic, Ra1d was again applauded
many times by the people. Speeches were
again exchanged,
BANQUETs AND THEATER PARTIES.
ION the 7th OF July a grand banquet
was arranged by the citizens of Toxic 1t
was the best feast Japan could prepare and
was given in the great hall of the Kobu Dia
Gaku. This was public reception and
many people who came late were unable to
get seat at the tables.
"A few days after this the general was
banqueted by the European and Imperial
family In the urene Seyoken, on which oc-
casion the emperor had prepared surprise
for his guest. number of dancing girls
had been dressed In robes of the American
stars and stripes and at a signal from his
majesty appeared n the opposite side of the
hall This pleased the general very much
and the emperor was gratifed to see him
clap his hands
"one night during the visit of the famous
soldier a military drama known as The Two
Brothers OF Soga,' was presented at the
Shintomi theater in his honor. The house
was decorated for the occasion with many
hags The leading Japanese actors, Sojluro
and Narataya, we're engaged to play the
principal roles and the imperial family at
tended with the nations greatest guest.
Indeed Genersl Grant was SO beloved in