The Mena weekly star., 1907-12-26
WOULD WELCOME FLHT
Views of Prominent Japanese Re- garding American Battleship
 Excursion to the Pacific.
CONFIDENCE IN AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP
Some Exclusive Interviews Secured by the Associated Press From Per sons In High Official Life--Ail Ex- press kindIiest Feeling for Ameri. con Officers and Men.

press kindIiest Feeling for Ameri.
 con Officers and Men.
 Tokio, Dec. 20.-The following in- teryiews have been granted exclu. sively to the Associated press.
 Japan will heartily welcome the American fleet of battleships to the Pacific and to the ports of this coun- try if 1t be decided to extend the trip in this direction. The fact that the fleet is sailing towards the Pacific creates no excitement here, and as have said before to the Associated press, Japan views in the friendliest manner any action America may, within the scope of wisdom, see fit to take In the disposition of its naval force, because the Japanese people have absolute confidence in the friendly attitude of the statesmen and great mass of the people. We hope that the fleet may have sue. cessful and safe voyage and Amer. jeans everywhere may rest assured that should the feet decide to visit the far east. at no place will 1t receive a heartier welcome than in Japan"
 Foreign Minister Viscount Hayashi, in giving the above statement to the Associated press voiced the sentiment of the whole Japanese people. The news of the actual sailing of the fleet only reached Japan Wednesday and Thursday morning it filtered out through vernacular and foreign press, accompanied by a description of the scenes at the departure of the ships. Admiral Togo added;
 T am very glad that the fleet has started for the Pacific. If am cor rectly informed, it is expected on this side in April or May next. If 1t should ultimately touch on our shores we will greet them as friends and give them the warmest reception. We en- certain nothing but the kindliest feel ings towards American sailors"
 The minister of the navy, Admiral Saito said
 "The American fleet will be heartily welcomed should It visit Japan. know Admiral Evans well. He is a delightful gentleman and splendid sailor. and I certainly hope that he will bring his ships on this side, and give us a chance to show our appre- citation of his good qualities"
 Prince Ito, resident general of Korea said. said:
 America has always been help ful friend of Japan, and the Japanese are staunch admirers of President Roosevelt. We have never had any other idea than that it was quite with in the rights of America to dispatch fleet where it was desired and 1t will be especially welcomed should it come to Japan. I have always main tained that talk of war between Japan and America is unspeakable, un- thinkable and the attitude of the Japanese people towards the fleet will ultimately prove the sincerity of our words which have been consist ently friendly"
 Privy Councillor viscount Kaneko said:
 T know Rear Admiral Evans per sonally. When he was here, I had the pleasure of inviting himself and his staff to hunting expedition. We hope he will extend his cruise to these shores and give us an oppor- tunity to renew the acquaintance"
 Count Okuma, the leader of the pro gressiye party of Japan, said:
 q sincerely hope that the American fleet will have safe voyage. l will gladly send it my greetings when it arrives on the Pacific. The coming of an American fleet will tend to for ward the civilization of the world, and increase the friendliness of our two nations. The influence of Amer lea and Japan in the far east would be enormous and paramount. Surely this voyage of the American fleet and the attitude of the Japanese people now, and in event Rear Admiral Evans decides to visit Japan, will stop the ridiculous talk of war or un. friendliness upon the part of Japan's people"
 The former premier, MarQulS Kat sura, one of the most prominent and active politicians in Japan. and who wields immense influence in the pres ent cabinet said:
 The dispatch of the American fleet gives me no cause for surprise. Our whole people feel the same way, that the American fleet has been sent to the Pacific, where American inter. ests demand the presence of a navy sufficiently adequate for the protec- tion of those interests. Its coming should cause Japan no uneasiness, especially in the case of the United States, which Is so friendly to Japan.
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