The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-20
AMERICAN FLEET
 WILL BE WELCOME Japanese Statesmen Express Views Full of FriendlineSS NO EXCITEMENT IN JAPAN No War Talk Is Even Tinted at In the Japanese Press and Leading Off
 ciaIs Say That They Will
 Be Glad To See Evans.
NO EXCITEMENT IN JAPAN

Tokio, December 19.-The following in- terviews have been granted exclusively to the Associated Press:
 Japan will heartily welcome the Amer ican fleet of battleships to the Pacific and to the ports of this country, if it be decided to extend the trip in this di- rection.
 "The fact that the fleet is sailing to- wards the Pacific creates no excitement here, and as I 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 atti- tude of the statesmen and the great mass of people. We hope that the fleet may have a successful and safe voyage and Americans everywhere may rest assured that should the fleet decide to visit the far east at no place will 1t receive a heartier welcome than in Japan"
 Foreign Minister Viscount Hayash, in giving the above statement to the Asso- ciated Press representative this morn ing, voiced the sentiment of the whole Japanese people
 The news of the actual sailing of the fleet only reached Japan yesterday and this morning it filtered through the yer nacular and foreign press accompanied by a description of the sizes of the ships
 A dispayh carried an interview with the Russian admiral. Rodjestvenssy, com pairing the chances of a Japanese fleet against the American. This interview caused some amusement in naval and that none of the naval officers would be led into a discussion of the admiral s views for publication.
 Views of Togo.
 Admiral Count Togo said: q am very glad that the fleet has started for the Pacific. If I am correctly informed. 1t is expected on this side in April or May next. If it should ultimately touch on our shores we win greet them as friends and give them the warmest reception.
 We entertain nothing but the kindliest feeling towards American sailors"
 The minister of the navy, Admiral Sato, said .The American fleet will be heartily welcomed should it visit Japan l know Admiral Evans well. He Is a delightful gentleman and a splendid sailor and I certainly hope that he will bring his ships on this side and give us a chance to show our appreciation of his good qualities
 Prince Ito. resident general of Korea. said: America has always been help ful friend to Japan. and the Japanese are staunch admirers of Rresident Roosevelt. We have never had any other idea than that it was quite the intention of America to dispatch q fleet where it was desired and it will be especially welcomed should 1t come to Japan I have always man- tained that the talk of war between America and Japan is unspeakable and unthinkakle, and the attitude of the peo- pie towards the fleet will ultimately prove tho sincerity of our words which have been consistently friendly"
 Natural Course To Pursue.
 Privy Councillor yiscount Kaneko said: '"rhe dispatch of the fleet is regarded only as the natural outcome in the course of things. such as existing in .Se United States. Early in 1892, when l saw ex- President Cleveland at Gables, I ventured to point out to him what is now occur ing. I then said that the Atlantic side of the | nited States had realized such conditions of development that left lit-