The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-12-19
TO GIVE
FLEET WARM
PERCEPTION
II Will Be a Friendly One
Ills People Not a Bit
Excited, Says Hayashi.

TOXIC, Dec. 10, 6 p. m.-The follow
ing interviews have been granted ex-
clusively to the Associated Press:
Japan will heartily welcome the
American fleet of battleships to the
Pacific and to the ports of this coun-
try il 1t be decided to extend the trip
in this direction.
1.-THE fact that the fleet is sailing
towards the Pacific creates no excite
ment here, and as l have said before,
Japan views in the friendliest
any action America may within the
scope of wisdom see fit to take in the
disposition of its naval forces, because
Japanese people have absolute con-
1dence in the friendly attitude of the
statesmen and great mass of the peo-
pie. We hope that the fleet may have
a successful and safe voyage, and
Americans everywhere may rest as
sured that should the fleet decide to
visit the far East at no place will 1t
receive a heartier welcome than in
Japan"
Foreign Minister Viseount Hayashi,
in giving the above statement today,
voiced the sentiment ct the whole
Japanese people. The fews of the
actual sailing of the fleet only reached
Japan yesterday, and this morning 1t
filtered out through the %vernacular and
foreign press, accompanied by a de-
scription of the scenes Of the ships.
A special dispatch caIyied an inter-
view with the Russian ADMIRAL Rojest-
vensky under a New York date, COM
pairing the chance q a Japanese fleet
against the American fleet. This in
-z.--A tall IN naval and
diplomatic circles, in view of Rojest-
vensky's fate wien he reached Japan,
but it was noticeable that none of the
naval officers would be led into a dis
cussion of-the eadmirals view for pub
lication
Adnslral Count Togo said: IT am very
elaSYthat the fleet has started for the
Paciic. If I am correctly informed, it 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 warmest reception.
ave entertain nothing but the kindliest
feelings toward American sailors"
The Minister of the Navy, dmira
Saito. said: THE American fleet will be
heartily welcomed should 1t visit Japan. l
know Admiral Evans we'll. He is a de-
lightful gentleman and a splendid sailor,
and L certainly hope that he will bring his
shins on his side and give us a chance
TO show our appreciation of his good quail
ties"
Prince Ito. resident general Of Korea,
said:
america has always been a helpful
friend to Japou and the Japanese are
sfanch admirers Of President Roosevelt.
We have never had any other idea than
that ii was quite the intention of America
to dispatch a fleet where it was desired
and it will be especially welcomed should
it come to Japan. 1t have always main
tanned that talk Of war between Japan ana
Americ is ~unspeakable and upthinkable,
aud the attitude Of the people owards the
feet will ultimately prove the sincerity or
our words. which have been consistently
friendly"
Count Okuma, the leader of the progress
sive party of Japan, said:
Il sincerely hope the American heet
will nave d safe voyage. l will gladly
send it my greetings when it reaches the
Pacific. The coming Of q Pacific feet win
tend to forward the civilization Of the
world and increase the friendliness Of our
two nations"