New-York tribune., 1905-01-09
FOR PEACE, SAYS UCHIDA.
GEN. WOODFORD SPEAKS.
Cheers for Russian Queen at Japan
csc Celebration Of Victory.

s. Uchida. Japanese Consul General at this
port. declared that Japan was willing to make
peace if Russia was at the mass meeting Of
Japanese held at Carnegie Hall yesterday to
celebrate the capture Of Port Arthur.
"A few weeks ago." said the japanese Con-
sui General. in opening the meeting, ''the rem
nants OF the Russian army were completely
smashed when 203-Metre Hnl was taken, and
now Port Arthur. the Gibraltar Of the Far
East has al last been taken by the undaunted
bravery OF our victorious army. AS you all
know. our country was forced TO this war by the
aggressiveness OF the Russians. We Japanese
are peace LOVING nation. and we would not
have entered this war If we had not been forced
into it.
I'VE are quite willing TO make peace if Rus
STA is willing. From the press reports that have
come from ST. Petersburg. it seems to me the
Russian government, instead Of making peace.
is determined TO carry on the war. II is our
turn TO impose peace upon the Russian govern
ment by keeping up the fight as long as the
Russians want TO carry on the war
"The fan of Port Arthur does not necessarily
mean the end of the war but we all hope. and
earnestly. that # viii bring Russia to meet
ing terms Of peace We will be generous,
not selfish. in such an hour.
"Our purpose in meeting here to-day is TO
celebrate the great victory of Japanese arms, by
raising funds for the relief Of the families Of
the brave soldiers. who died during the seige
of Port Arthur, instead OF celebrating that vic
tory by feasting drinking and singing. AT this
ZINE every cent We can spare should be sent TO
the relief of those suffering families.
I'VE hese no band Of music here TO celebrate
the greae victory. The victory is itself enough
music 70 make all happy. And then We
have the harmonious music OF the entire press
Of America chanting in chorus the bravery OF
our people in battle"
7 am here because I could not be kept away,
SAID Alexander Tison in a brief address. No
words could be adequate to an occasion Ike
this. came TO shout 'BanzaF with you, not
20 make a speech The war between Japan and
Russia as il began will so end-victory crown
inE. the japanese arms. Port Arthur is Japan )
Gibraltar 1t belongs 10 Japan by every right
and she should continue TO hold 1t. 1t will
mean peace throughout the world and for all
iime"
General Stewart L. woodford the last
speaker. and when he was introduced as a great
frienc OF The japanese people the audience ap-
plauded him vigorously.
i congratulate you on the great victory in
arms you have won al Port Arthur by courage
unexampled in the history Of modern warfare.
said General Woodford by science Of tactics
and by persistence of which the story Of no
modern siege affords a parallel.
you have won back great fortress you took
from China eleven years ago, and want TO
congratulate you on something higher than sue
cess in arms In all the conduct Of this great
siege Japan has set an example TO the nations
and soldiers of the civilized world by the hu-
mane conduct Of her armies. You have been
rs generous in victory you have been brave
ia battle.
1T is difficult for some Of you to under
stand why America watches the war with so
great interest. For a century and half this
nation has been on terms of the greatest friend
ship toward Russia. In the hour Of the Revo-
luton, Catherine Of Russia friend.
She lent US invaluable aid and when we needed
II most"
An outburst Of applause and cheers greeted
the name Of Catherine of Russia. and there was
more applause when General Woodford said
Russia again showed friendship for this country
sn the Civil War.
Japan. as the war progressed, has loomed up
in a certain sense, older sister and a younger
sister" continued General Woodford. She
ana America are great friends. A little more than
hfty-one years ago American naval officer
sailed into Yokohama He was received by your
people with every evidence Of friendship.
Through his instrumentalty treaties We're made
between Japan and America. America was thus
able 10 introduce Japan TO the modern world.
During the time since that memorable event
you have held steacfast TO your old beliefs am
customs and traditions OF centuries, yet at the
enlightenment OF civilization To-day Japan is
grimly, bEavely and hopefully waging wal
against one OF the most powerful nations OF the
world IN that struggle bound a
nation 20 observe strict and vigorous neutrality
AT the same time cannot help recognizing
that Japan stands in arms 10 uphold the prog
Of modern civilization. We recognize that
your Emperor has accepted and furtheTed civil
izing influences and the great reforms that have
been inaugurated throughout the japanese En-
pire. To-day Japan is free in government and
IN religion England the United States
your school system is good for public educa-
zion as the school system Of Germany. which
stands pre-enlinently among the school masters
of the world"
some people call you pagans or agnostics
Nowhere where civilization exists is there SC
much personal freedom under the flag of the
Rising sun. For race which thus illustrates
the progress OF civilization. / pray God viii
crown you with victory in this struggle. I have
one great hope and that is may Japan sooI
have a great rival in education and civilization
that rival being Russia Japan viii go on for
centuries TO como with the greatest nations OF
the earth, promoting civilization and ! hope
Russia viii some day start the same
mission"
The meeting was intended solely for the Jap
anese residents here, excepting General Wood
fOrd and Mr. TisOn who were especially invited
But others came and they We're made welcome
All the japanese merchants OF any prominence
IN the city were present as well as all the
Japanese students at Columbia College. Ad-
dresses were made in the mother tongue by
fifteen japanese merchants and professional men