Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-01
TOXIC KEPT TAFT
BUSY EVERY HOUR
Brilliant Luncheon by Foreign
Minister Today.
RECEIVED WITH CHEERS
Function Was Attended by Many
Prominent Officials.
SPEECH MADE GOOD IMPRESSION
It Is Understood There Will Be an
Important Conference Held With
the Government Today


busiest day in Japan began with recep-
tion and a luncheon given in his honor by
Foreign Minister Hayashi at the koshi
kawa Korekuyen arsenal, which were at
tended by all the officials of the govern
ment departments, making 1t the most
brilliant function Of his visit. In replying
to the speech of welcome delivered by the
war minister, Lieut.. Gen. Terauchi. who
expressed the pleasure felt by the japanese
at the Secretary's visit, Mr.. Taft reiter-
ated his previous Acknowledgements Of the
courtesies extended to him and the delight
which he experienced at being once more in
Japan.
Immediately after the luncheon Mr.. Taft,
accompanied by the staff of the American
embassy, left Toxic for Yokohama, where
he held a reception Of the American resi-
dents at that port. The Secretary and his
party will return to Toxic later in the day
and will be the guests tonight at dinner OF
H. Percival Dodge, first secretary of the
American embassy. Covers will be laid
for thirty persons.
Mr.. Taft who is in splendid health, is
delighted with his reception here and with
the enthusiasm aroused by the speech
Taft Speech Well Received.
Secretary Tafts speech at the ban
quet given him last night by the
municipality and the chamber of
commerce is regarded here as the most i'm
portant event in the history of the relations
of Japan and the United States since
United States Minister Alfred Buck, in the
latter 90s, issued his appeal to American
residents 20 respect Japanese laws and in
stitutions. which made Buck the most pop
ular of ministers Taft's speech is regarded
as restoring the warmth of the old national
friendship The Japanese who attended
the banquet. who We're representative Of all
speech reassuring beyond all expecta-
ton Mr. Taft's fearless and outspoken
treatment of the dreaded topic appealed
strongly to the admiration that American
sincerity has always commanded here
The banquet took place in the assembly
room of the Imperial Hotel, Viscount Shi-
busawa presiding, and was attended by
business men of Toxic. Mr.. Taft sat on the
right of Viscount Shibusawa, and Mr..
o Brfen, the new American ambassador to
Japan was seated on his left. The decora-
tions of the hall were magnificent and Il
good band furnished the music Among
those present were many ladies, including
Americans.
Marquis Matsugata, leading member of
the elder statesmen, said today that the
speech ought to end all talk of war, for it
had voiced the true feelings of both Sides
Secretary Taft told Star correspondent
that he wrote the speech just before the
banquet impelled by the earnest good will
SO evident on the part of all. He had come
to Toxic, he said, merely to tender, unoffi-
cially, thanks for the hospitality shown him
on his former visit to Japan. But the evil
dent sincerity of the expressions of regret
for the misunderstanding between Japan
and the United States which met him on all
sides had compelled him to speak
The speech Of welcome at the banquet
was made by Baron Shibusawa, governor of
the Bank of Japan. He said the Japanese
regarded the Americans as their own peo-
pie and he wished Mr.. Taft so to tell their
brothers over the sea.
1t IS understood that Taft will devote a
porto of today important conference
with Foreign Minister Hayashi, Vice Min
lister of Foreign Affairs Chinda and Ambas-
sador O'Brien at the palace.