The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-05-17
JOURNALISTS Of JAPAN
THE PRESS GIVES 4 BANQUET TO
VISITORS.
\ Brilliant Affair at the Hotel-Local
Journalists and Visiting Cores
dents Have Il Good Time.

The hand of good-fellowship was
extended among some thirty newspa-
permen of more than half dozen
nationalities, gathered about the
banquet board at the Hawaiian Hotel
on Saturday evening.
The banquet was complimentary to
the visiting representatives of the
japanese Press and it was the initial
function of its kind that was ever Civ
en- by the Press of Honolulu. 1t was
a genuine success and is certain to
prove the nucleus for the Honolulu
Press.
The large front dining room of the
hotel was used for the occasion. The
decorations were unique and appro-
pirate consisting chiefly of flags. An
American and an Hawaiian flag start
ed from the center of the hall and eX-
tended along the walls in opposite di
verse side by British and Portuguese
flags, which were joined together in
the center by a large Danish flag. \
big japanese flag had the position of
honor, being hung at the head of the
room just back of the toastmaster
Councillor Altiyama, and Editor Ishi-
kawa. On the side facing were hung
the Chinese colors.
In the corners of the hall were sta
toned large palms and ferns. \ bower
of these plants running along the
Hotel street side of the hall almost
completely hid the National Quintette
Club from view. The orchestra was
stationed on the lanai and during the
entire evening provided excellent mu-
sic. After playing Hawaii Ponoi the
club concluded with the strains of the
japanese National Anthem.
The table was artistically adorned
with large punches of flowers and
floral pieces. Beautiful Japanese and
| Hawaiian flags made out of flowers
by Florist Rhodes occupied positions
near the center of the board. At the
plate of each guest lay a quill pen
with yellow ribbon attached; also
the cards giving Inc menu and toasts.
The emblem at the top of the menu
card consisted of a pen uniting the
Hawaiian and Japanese flags with the
inscription: "The pen is mightier than
the sword"
The merry banqueters began feast
ing at o'clock 1t was fully two
began. Alatau T. Atkinson. editor of
The Star, occupied the head of the
table and made an excellent master
of toasts. On his left sat Councillor
Akiyama and Editor Wallace II. Far
rington of the Advertiser. On his right
Y. Ishikawa of Japan and Editor Lo-
gan of the Bulletin. The other guests
We're: Suzaki, b. Seki, S. Furuya and
n. Nishi of Japan; Whitney, Hogs,
Shingle, Travis, Norrie, Nivas, Adams,
Yaknam, Luke Chan, Monting, Mizu-
no, Takihashi, Shiozawa, Gallagher,
Sato, Finney, Gear, Poepoe, and
Stacker of the city.
Councillor Akiyama, in responding
to the tost, Our Guests" spoke as
follows:
Il venture to say that | have travel
ed much of the world in comparison to
my age and every place where | was
| found that among editors and the
Press there is no wall according to
the difference of nationalities. The
reason why, | suppose, is that they
are leaders of correct social opinion
educators of the general public and
, , benefactors of the world. Without
the Press the public would be kept il
ignorance, their knowledge would no
be cultivated and the world itseli
would remain in darkness.
Fortunately, we japanese have
been very eager to adopt the Western
civilization and now there are many
papers in my country; and | am glaC
to see, as one of Japan's subjects anC
citizen of Toxic, that many news
papers in Toxic are represented herr
and that they are entertained 81
: friendly and cordially by the editor
of the Press of Hawaii. / will neve
forget this memorable banquet"
Y. Ishikama, editor of the Financ
a Department of the Chuo Shimbun
published in Toxic, responded hap
PLY. He began speaking in his nativ
tongue, but had not proceeded far be
:. fore he changed to English and said
81 beg to express my heartfelt
y thanks for the kind courtcsies yo
: have this evening extended to us
Apart from the grateful feelings tina