Evening star., 1901-12-07
WHEREPERRXLANDED
Admiral Beardslee Tells About the
Japanese Ceremonies.
MONUMENT ERECTED =7AF KURIHAMA
Forty-Eighth anniversary. |. of "a
Historic Occasion. sss;i ~. '.'- '''
HOW. THE FUND WAS RAISED

HOW. THE FUND WAS RAISED
Rear Admiral Lester A. Beardslee, re-
tired, is in Washington with Mrs Boards
lee for the first time since his extended
trip to Japan, where he was the leading
American figure in the ceremonies attend
ing the unveiAng Of the Perry monument
at Kurihana, July IA last, the date being
the forty-eighth anniversary of the land
ing of Commodore Perry at that place with
messages from President Fillmore Ito the
Shogunate government.
At that time Admiral Beardsfee was
midshipman in Perry's expedition, and
landed with his commander. When he went
to Japan little more than a year ago he
at once attracted national attention by rea-
son of this fact for Japan popularity re-
CARDS the treaty with the United States
enacted as the result of this landing of
Perry as her awakening to modern civili-
cation,
Spot Where Perry Landed.
Admiral -Beardslee went to Kuriharna
soon after his arrival in Japan. After some
trouble, and with the aid of an old man, a
native, who had also witnessed the landing
of Perry, 1 found the exact spot where
the landing was made" said Admiral
Beardslee to Star reporter this morning.
when asked for his impressions of his re-
cent trip. THE place was recognized by
the natural scenery alone, he continued,
las there had been nothing done to mark
the spot. although in going. to .k-urihama
we passed many splendid new monuments
and testimonials to Japanese valor. This
fact however, should in no wise be attrib-
uted to any, sentiment of ingratitude or in
difference on the part of the Japanese as
the. custom of commemoratfng great names
,fc hN- thes.
ments is only a recent custom in that codr-
try" ..s..r-. ls.,- 80 a.:
Admiral Beardslee's identity with the
young officer who landed with Perry be-
came known to the Japanese government
through. our minister at Toxic. Col. BUCK.
Immediately a round of festivities was in
augurated The honor of an audience with
the emperor and empress was at once De-
slowed on the admiral and Mrs Beardslee.
A grand reception was given in their honor
at the magnificent Park of Uyeno, at which
Admiral Marquis and Marchioness Saigo
acted as host and hostess. Nearly 5000
persons assembled in the garden, includ-
ing cabinet ministers, diet members, milf
tary and naval officers and other promi-
nent persunages. Many speeches and ad-
dresses were delivered, all referring to the
memorable visit Of Commodore Perry.
A Memorial Projected.
After had visited Kurihama,' contin-
ued Admiral Beardslee, II made up my
mind to devote my time while in Japan to
advocating memorial, and calling the at
tention of the Japanese government to the
apparent neglect Of the people. My efforts
were successful, primarily through the
assistance of Baron Kaneko, president of
the Americas Friends Society, called in
Japanese Bei-Yiu-Kyo-Kwai, who ar
ranged for me to make an address before
the members of that. sSefety at a banquet
which was held AS a result that So
ciety adopted nay work as its own, and re-
1iaved from a4l- further RESPONSIBILITY
in the matter. 1t undertook successfully
to raise funds with which to build suit
able monument to commemorate the land
ing of Commodore RsrTN1 .ssia1s .nIs
'"The appeal sent out by the Japanese So
ciety, which resulted in the collection of
sufficen funds to erect the monument in
so short time shows perhaps better than
anything else the sentiment prevailing IN
Japan regarding this incident This appeal
received the emPerors Endorsement through
a substantial subscription. Translated the
pertinent parts read:
The Society's Appeal.
" Forty years ago, on the 14th Of
July. 1858. an American envoy arrived in
Japan on mission which was destined to
become an epoch-making event in the his
tory Of Japan. This envoy was none other
than Commodore Perry U. S. N, who by
order OF the President of the North Amerf-'
can republic came to this country for the
purpose of concluding a treaty Of commerce
and friendly intercourse between the two
nations.
/" True, Japan had not forgotten-nor will
she ever forget-that next to her reignng
and most beloved sovereign, whose high vir-
tues and great wisdom are above all praise.
she owes in no small degree her present
prosperity to the Unfted states OF America
In that the latter rendered her great and
lasting service. After the lapse OF
these forty-eight years her people have,
however. come to entertain but an uncer-
tain memory OF Kurihama, and yet It was
there that Commodore Perry first trod on
the soii of Japan and for the arst ~time
awoke the country from a slumbrous Sc
elusion Of centuries-there it was where
first cleaned the light that has ever since
illumined Japan's way in her new career of
progress. 80"
Last fall we had the pleasure of meet
ing Rear Admiral Beardslee, u 8. NJ. who
as naval cadet and a member of the crew
under Commodore Perry landed at Kuri- |
hama on the historical occasion and who |
after nearly half century once more
came back to pay visit to this country.
Beckoned by the memories Of the past. the
admiral went to Kurihama Immediately |
after his arrival in Japan, but he was only |
able to ascertain the SPOT where the envoy |
and his party had landed ferty-eight years
ago by the help; OF an old survivor Of those
his account of his second visit to the place |
and we inme ediately set on foot move |
ment to erect a fitting monument which |
may perpetuate the place in question IN
the memory of our posterity. 1t Is our de-
termination to accomplish the end in view
with all possible prornptitude and hold the
ceremony Of unveilinS the monument on !
the coming anniversary OF the landing OF |
the American envoy at Kurihama, the 14th
OF july this year. We hope, therefore,
that those who are Interested in. the matter
will favor US by indorsng our undertaking
BARON KENTARo KANEKo.
" President of Amerea's. Friends Society,"
Last July's CeremOnies.
This was in November=a year ago. said
Admiral .Beardslee. sTh mine months from
that date the fundsIhad Ibeen raised and
the monument completed. ready for unveil-
ing.. 1t is a very substantial memoriabs de-
signed in Japanese style. 1t is erected on
the exact spot OF Perry's landing. ~ g
The ceremonies attending the -unveiling
were very impressive:i, aAdmiral Fred Rodg-
ers. commanding ouE Asiatic squadron. who
is a grandson of CoHmadore Perry, Off
cfafed 'fha INV hhvn to1