The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-23
l NEW ENGLAND DID
 MUCH FOR JAPAN
Minister Takahira Speaks at
 Banquet in Philadelphia
YANKEES OF THE FAREASI'
He Says That Is What His People Are Sometimes Called, and They Are Proud of It-HaVe Pro-
 gressed Rapidly.

Philadelphia, December 22.-The annual dinner of the New England Society of Pennsylvania was held tonight in Horti- culture hall The number of invited guests was large, among them being kor- gora Takahira, Japanese minister to the United States and Assistant Secretary of the Navy Charles B. Darling. Former Assistant Attorney General of the United States James M Beck, president of the society acted as toastmaster. Before in- troducing tho Japanese minister MT. Beck made a brief speech toasting the President of the United States.
 MT. Takahira, responding to the toast, Japan and New England" said the in- huences of New England and Philadel' phia in moulding the relations between the United States and Japan had been potent and second to none in bringing the two countries into close ties of friendship. Among other things. he said he believed that the commerce between the two countries received its first impetus rom knowledge gained through exhibition of Japan's varied products at the centennial exposition in Philadelphia, in 1876.
 Mecca or Japanese OluuChtos
 In early years, he said, New England had been the mecca of Japanese students who came to this country. and spoke O. the prominent roles played by these yoahs men in the empires history In later years, he added, fair proportion or SUI dents had come to Pennsylvania.
 "We Japanese are sometimes called the Yankees of the east" said the minister. "rhe name was given by an American, partly in jest. 1t may be. Possibly the nationality of the one who gave the name had something to do with It's cnoice' I would be happy indeed if l were certain the concensus of the worlds sober Judg- ment ascribed to us qualities linked With the name 'Yankee'-energy perseverance,, ingenuity, strength of purpose, love or lihertv-which have done so much to raise your honored country to it's present hlgh place among the nations"
 In concluding, he said;
 His Most Earnest Desire.
 "So with us, one of the most earnest desires we cherish Is that nelgnDorlhs peoples, peoples in some sense kindred to us. shall enjoy the same advantages we enjoy, and shall adapt in the same manner those clements of western ciVin- zation which stand for the preservation of national entity and the promotion or national happiness. This Is spirit m way Ike the New England spirit ana assure you in all sincerity and earnest ness, that it is the spirit which actuates my countrymen and our government In these momentous affairs that are now holding the stage in the far east, not as- l piration of self-aggrandizement or self | exploitaticn, but an assured and sincere conviction that as we have found peace, plenty and security from adapting to our use the civilization of the west, so our neighbors will find the strongest safe guard against aggression and lawless- ness. The amplest guarantee of happi- ness, comfort and progress by following our example is, I venture to say, in ac- | cord with the principles of New England and of the whole United States
 MT. Takahira was followed by Assist ant Secretary Darling, who spoke on "New England and the Navy"