The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-29
LAPS GIVE HEARTY
 WELCOME ID TAFT
Friendly Feeling is Expressed
 for All Americans
BIG FUNCTIONS PLANNED
The Secretary Will Be Received By the Emperor and Luneheons Will Be Given By Minsters--Jour-
 naists Are Courteous.

Tokio. Septeniba 2S.-- Secretary Taft al. rived at Yokohama carly this morning and already his first day in Japan ha s contributed much toward reassuring the Japanese in the matter of the feeling re- garding them in America. Thomas OBrien, the new American ambassador to Japan, who arrived with MT. Taft did not fall In doing his part in the crea- ton of a better feeling between the two countries.
 The Hoehi Shimbum, displaying con- mendable enterprise, publishes this even ing a half tone picture of the secretary landing at Yokohama, and an interview In which MT. Taft is quoted as saying
 America and Japan always will be friends Tine necessity for arrangements in the trades is something we do not rec ognize. 1 speak as Secretary of War and also the secretary of peace.'
 The newspapers tomorrow will publish similar interviews, as well as lengthy editorial articles welcoming Secretary Taft as the representative of America, the friend of Japan"
 After an uneventful voyage across the Pacific from Seattle, which port she left September 13, the Minnesota stole up to Tokio bay just as dawn was breaking this morning and anchored at the Yoko- hama quarantine station. The pro- gramme for the enterta lnmcnt of the sec retary was changed at late hour to- day and all the arrangements made by the navy department and the committee of the imperial household will be subject ed to this new plan.
 According to the expressed desire of the Emperor, Secretary Taft will be received in audience and entertained at luncheon Wednesday. There will be no functions on Sunday On Monday Count Hayashi the foreign minister, will give d lunch con in honor of Secretary Taft, and on Monday night the municipality of Tokio will give dinner in his honor. Two hun dred invitations have been sent out for this latter function. On Tuesday the sec retary will lunch with IT. Perciyal Dodge, the American charge d'affaires, after which he will be given reception by the American residents of Yokohama, while Tuesday evening he will be entertained at dinner by the minister of war, Lieut. Gen Terouchi Masaki.
 Among those who were received by Sec retary Taft on board the Minnesota this morning were number of leading jour nalists of Japan. Replying to a felic- itous speech of welcome. Secretary Taft said, referring to the matter of racial prejudice that it was necessary to refer his questioners to the message of Presi- dent Roosevelt on this subject.
 The Secretary of War was then asked if tho United States intended to sell the Philippines. To this Mir Taft replied that America had no intention of selling, adding that he had no mission In Japan except a friendly greeting to and visit with old friends on his way to Manila.
 Continuing, the secretary outlined his proposed trip around the world, and spoke of his plans for the future government of the Philippines. In conclusion, MT. Taft said "The future lies in MT. O Brien's hands" MT. O'Brien then made brief address, in which aie said his mis- sion WAS peaceful one, and that he was extremely gratihed at his reception.