The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-12-20
FLEET WILL
 BE WELCOMED
Japan Shows a Friendly
 Spirit.
Count okuma Says He Win sepd the Fleet His Greetings When it Arrives Tn the
 Pacific.

Tokio, Dec. 1s.--"Japan will heartily welcome the American fleet of battle ships to the Pacific and to the ports of this country if 1t be decided to ex- tend the trip in this direction.
 The fact that the fleet is sailing to- wards the Pacific creates no excite- ment here. and as l have said before to the Associated Press, Japan views in the friendliest manner any action America may. within the scope of wis., dom. see fit to take in the disposition of its naval force, because the Japan csc people have absolute confidence in the friendly attitude of their states men and the great mass of people. We hope that the fleet may have a suc- cessful and safe voyage and Americans may rest assured that If the fleet should decide to visit the Far East. at no place will 1t receive a heartier wei come than in Japan"
 Foreign Minister Viscount Hayashi in giving the above statement to the Associated Press representative this morning, voiced the sentiment of the whole Japanese people.
 The news of the actual sailing of the fleet only reached Japan yester- day and this morning 1t filtered out through the vernacular and foreign press. accompanied by description Of the sizes of the ships
 A dispatch carried an interview with the Oussian Admiral Rojestvensky com pairing the chances of a Japanese fleet against the American. This caused some amusement in naval and diplo- matic circles. but 1t was noticeable tn at none of the naval officers would be led into a discussion of the AdmiraTs view for publication. Admiral Count Togo said:
 Glad Fleet Started.
 "I am very glad that the fleet has started for the Pacific. If I am cor rectly informed, 1t Is expected on this side in April or May next. If it should ultimately touch on our shores, we will greet them as friends and give them the warn.est reception.
 We entertain nothing but the kind Hest feeling towards American sail. ors."
 The Minister of the Navy. Admiral Saito. sad:
 The American fleet will be heart. fly welcomed sh hould 1t visit Japan, I know Admiral Evans well. He is a delightful gentleman and a splendid sailor, and l certainly hope that he will bring his ships on this side and give us a chance to show our appra. citation of his good qualities"
 Prince Ito. Resident General of Ko- req, said:
 America has always been a helpful friend to Japan, and the Japanese are stuanch admirers of President Roose- welt. We have never had any other idea than that 1t was quite the inten- tion of America to dispatch q fleet where it was desired, and it will be especially welcomet should 1t come to Japan. I have always maintained that the talk of war between Japan and America is unspeakable and unthink- able and the attitude of the people to- wards the fleet will ultimately prove the sincerity of our words which have been consistently friendly"
 Count Okuma, the leader of the pro- Kressive party of Japan, said:
 q sincerely hope the American fleet will have a safe voyage I will gladly send 1t my greetings when 1t arrives on the Pacific. The coming of an Amer ican fleet will tend to forward the civ ilization of the world and increase the friendliness of our natinna. The tn