The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-04-24
THE MONUMENT To PERRY.
japan Determined That Il Shall BE
Magnificent Testimonial


Magnificent Testimonial
The monument that the Japanese propose
to erect At KuTihama to the memory ot
Commodore Perry. L 8 y. to com4uemo-
rate his expedition to Japan in 1859. is tc
be fitting tribute to the distinguished
American naval officer and those who
took part in the expedition with him
Funds for the memorial are being collect
ed of japanese residents Of this cc,Iutry
and of both Americans and japanese in
Japan as well as from all others inter
ested in the movement
The work is being carried on under the
auspices of the Bei-yu Nyo-kai. or the
American Association of Japan. of which
RarOn Kentaro KanekO * president In
connection with the matter Baron KanekO
has sent out the following circuIar-letter
to members of the American Association
and others who it is thought would like
to contribute to such a cause:
'Forty-eight years ago. on the Sth of
July, in the sixth year Of Kayei, an Amer
lean envoy arrived in Japan, on a mission
which was destined to become an epoch
making event in the history of Japan.
This envoy was none other than Commo-
dore Perry, L 5 N who. by order of the
lie. came to this country for the purpose
of concluding a treaty of commerce and
friendly intercourse between the two ma
tions. On the 18th of the month above
mentioned. the envoy landed at Kuri-
hama, Miura-gori. in the province of Sa-
gami, and there held conferences repeat
edIy with the officials of the TokIgawa
Regency. The object of his mission sue
cessfully accomplished, the Commodore
sailed home shortly after.
This visit Of Commodore Perry was in
a word the turning of the key which
opened the doors of the Japanese Empire
to friendly Intercourse with the United
States, and subsequently to the rest of
the nations Of Europe on similar terms,
and may in truth be regarded as the most
memorable event in our annals-au event
which paved the way for and accelerated
the introduction Of a new order Of things
an event that enabled the country to en-
ter upon the unprecedented era of ma
tionaI ascendency in which we are now
living. There is a reason then-a strong
reason-that this visit of Commodore Per
~, no less than the spot where those
memorable conferences took place. should
be peTpetuated in the memory of the Jap
anese people
True, Japan has not forgotten-nor Will
she ever fOrget-tilat next to her reigning
and most beloved sovereign whose high
virtues and great wisdom are above all
praise. she owes in no small degree. her
present prosperity to the United States
of America. in that the latter rendered
her the great and lasting service already
referred to. After the lapse Of these for
ty-eight years her people have, however.
come to entertain but an uncertain mem
DRY Of kuTihama. and yet il was there
that Commodore Perry first trod on the
soil Of Japan and for the first time awoke
the country from a sIumbrOus seclusion of
three centuries-there it was where first
CLEANED the light that has ever since
iIIumiued Japan's way in her new career
of progress Even writers seldom men
ton the place nov. and the spot where
the American envoy landed. and which
should forever be remembered in our his
tory. threatens to be forgotten altogether.
Last fall we had the pleasure OF
meeting Rear Admiral BeardsIee, L. 5.
Navy, who as naval cadet and mem
Der Of the crew under Commodore Perry,
landed at Euribama on the historical &C
Casion and who after these forty-eight
years once more came back to pay visit
to this country. BeCkOned by the mem
kuTihama Immediately after his arrival
in Japan. but he was only able to as
certain the spot where the envoy and his
party had landed half century ago, by
the help of an old survivor of those by
gone days We were greatly moved by
his account of his second visit to kuri-
hama and We Immediately set on foot a
movement 70 erect fitting monument
which may PeTpetuate the place in ques-
ton in the memory OF our Posterity. We
have since made such progress with this
movement that site for the monument
mas already been selected. 1t is our de-
termination 10 accomplish the end in
view with all possible promptitude and 10
hold the ceremony of unwilling the monu-
ment on the coming anniversary of the
landing Of the American envoy at Kuri-
hama the 18th Of July this year We hope
that those who are Interested in the mat
ter viii favor US by endorsing our under
taking - substantial manner
subscriptions should be sent to the Of
nee Of Bei-yu ky0-kai, Z Yamashiro-chO.
& yobashi-ku, Tokyo. Subscription list
VIII be closed on the Goth of Nav 1901
Rear Admiral Remey. COMMUNICATIVE
Chief OF the ASiatiC feet. has informed
the Navy Depa Ttmeut that certain vessels
OF the naval force under his command
VIII attend the unveiliug of the monu-
meHt to Commodore Perry at Eurihama
Japan, on July Il next. In a letter 70
Secretary Long on the subject the admi-
Believing it TO be for the best interests
OF the United States to be well repre-
5euted OF this occasion, il is my intention
to attend the ceremony with the Brooklyn
and such other vessels as conditions at
that time may enable me TO take in COM
DduE. starting from ChefOO. and making,
this Ht IN as part of the squadron drill
aad cruising which I have planned for
this summer.
1t IS apparent from the fact that the
admiral Is arranging for summer maneu-
yres on the part OF his feet that he re-
CARDS the Philippine instruction as end
I'd - IS INV on his way to Australia in
The Brooklyn to participate in the recep-
lion to the Duke and Duchess of Corn
wall and York. and the ceremonies at
lending the opening of the Federated
Pariiaments of Australia. and viii prob
ably not get back to Manila until June
His letter telling of his intention to go to
kuTihama and of his plans for summer
in Chinese and japanese wa
erS was dated March q. two days before
he capture Of AguinaidO-
THE FAST OF a MOTORMAN.