The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-04-10
MONUMENT TO AMERICANS.
Japan to Erect One in Honor of the
Perry EXPEDITION.

Baron Eentaro Kaneko, President of
the American Association Of Japan. has
written to Postmaster General Smith,
advising the latter OF steps that have
| been taken to erect d suitable monument
| AT kurihama TO commemorate the land
ing of Commodore Perry in that country
in July. 1853 Baron Kaneko writes from
Tokyo as follows:
''Forty-eight years ago. on the Sth of
July. in the sixth year of kayei. an
American envoy arrived in Japan on a
mission which WAS destined TO become an
epoch making event in the history of ia
pan.
This envoy was none other than Com
modore Perry, L S n. who, by order of
the President of the North American Re
public, came 10 this country for the pur-
pose Of concluding a treaty of commerce
and establishing friendly intercourse be
tween the two nations. On the 14th of
the month above mentioned the envoy
landed at Kurihama. MiUra-gori. in the
Province OF Lagami, and there held con-
ferences repeatedly with the officials of
the Tokugawa Regency The object of
I his mission successfully accomplished. the
commodore sailed home shortly after.
The visit of Commodore Perry was. in
4 word, the turning Of the key which
to friendly intercourse with the United
States. and subsequently to the rest Of
the nations OF Europe on similar terms.
and mag in truth be regarded as the most
memorable event IN our annalS-an event
which paved the way for and accelerated
the Introduction of new order of things,
an event that enabled the country TO en-
ter upon the unprecedented era of ma
tionai ascendaucy in which We are now
living. There is reason. then-a strong
reason-that this visit Of Commodore Per
~, no less than the SPOT where those
memorable conferences took place. should
be pernetuated IN the memory of the Jap
anese people
True, Japan has not forgotten, nor viii
she ever forget. that next to her reiguing
and most beloved sovereign, whose high
virtues and great wisdom are above all
praise. she owes. in no s.ssaH degree, her
present prosperity TO the United States of
America. in that the latter rendered her
the great and lasting service already re-
ferred 30. After the lapse Of these forty
eight years her people have, however,
come to entertain but an uncertain mem
DRY of kuriharns. and yet it vas there
that Commodore Perry first trod on the
soil of Japan, and for the first time aWoke
the country from a slumbr0uS secIusion of
tLAEc ttittltIIsS- mere u was where IIsSt
CLEANED the light that has ever since Hlu-
mined JaDan'S way in her-neW career of
progress Even writer's seldom mention
the place now. and the spot where the
American envoy landed. and which should
forever be remembered in our history
threatens to be forgotten altogether
Last fail we had The pleasure of meet
ing Rear Admiral Beardsiee L $. N
who as Il naval cadet and member Of
the crew under Commodore Perry. landed
at K8rIhama or the historical occasion,
and who after these fnrty-eight years
once more came back TO pay 2, visit to
This country BeckoHed BY the memories
OF the past the admiral went to kuri-
hama Immediately after his arrival in ia
pan, but he was only able TO ascertain the
spot where the envoy and his party had
landed half a century ago by the help Of
an old survivor OF those bygOne days
y - were greatly moved by his account Of
MS second visit TO kurihama. and We i'm
meGiaJelE set foot q movement to
erect - fitting monument which may per
petuate the place in question in the mem
org Of our pDst=rIty-
We have since made such progress
with this movement that a site for the
monument has already been selected. It
Is our GeterE0 nation to accomplish the
end in view With ali possible prUrnptitude
and 10 hold the ceremony Of uHVeiing
the monument on the coming anniversary
of the landing Of the American envoy al
kurihama. the 18th Of. July. this year.
We hope that those who are interested in
the matter VIII favor US by endorsing our
undertak king in 4 most substantial man
ner-"