Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-19
WELCOMED TO TOXIC
Japan's Capital En- Fete for
American Officers.
SCHOOL CHILDREN IN LEAD
Ten Thousand Sing the National
Anthem in English.
CHEERING CROWDS IN STREETS
Admiral sperry and His Captains
Everywhere Greeted With the
Utmost Enthusiasm.
CHEERING CROWDS IN STREETS

TOXIC. October 19-Monday morning
broke calm and beautiful over Yokohama
bay, the harbor being bathed In brilliant
sunshine, which threw into strong relief
the glistening white sides of the Ameri-
can battleships where they lay at anchor
beside the darker japanese fleet. which
showed strongly against the horizon.
The first item in the reception to the
Americans was the departure Of Rear
Admiral Sperry and the admirals and
captains of the fleet for Toxic They
were driven to the station in carriages
deliberately decorated with flowers, where
they entered a special train at o'clock
Even the carriages of the train were es-
pecially prepared for this occasion, having
been newly painted and draped with
American flags and beautiful decorations,
while the interiors were filled with flowers
One Continued Ovation.
Along the whole eighteen miles of the
way to Toxic through a country inter-
spersed with quaint matched cottages and
native villages, there was continual
greeting to the Americans. Each village
school turned out in force. the children
lining the track as the train sped by,
every pupil waving two flags, an Amer1-
can banner and the emblem Of their ma
tive land. and every one cheering con-
tinuously.
Admiral Sperry bowed his response from
an open window and his officers waved
their hats. while the women of his party
fiuttered flags and handkerchiefs from
every window Of the train.
The trip was one long procession
through lane of waving flags. The
wonderful inspiration of the massed chill
dren,s voices was evidently a part Of
carefully thought out plan. It is the in
tention of the reception officers to have
100000 school children this week voice
the sentiment Of the nations coming gen.
erations.
On reaching Toxic the train was met by
committee composed Of representatives
of every department of the government
Secretary Jay Of the American embassy
and the entire staff from the legation
were also on hand to greet the visitors.
National Hymn in English.
After the exchange of formal greetings
on the station platform a procession was
formed, and then came great surprise
when the band struck up the national
hymn and 10000 school childen, massed
in chorus which packed the entire ap.
proach to the station, sang the words of
the hymn in English. The entire effect of
the American naval officers walking
through the narrow passage and the walls
of children of Japan singing the national
anthem in English was such as to stir
the inspiration and enthusiasm even of
the weather-beaten commander of the
American fleet who. with his officers.
bareheaded, passed along
After fifteen minutes Of continuous sing
Ing the band stopped and the leader step
ped out and 10000 voices cheered again,
giving the American cheer, three times
and a tiger.
The American officers were then con-
Quoted to carriages in waiting and the
work of the day was commenced.
The admirals of the fleet were driven
to the Shtsa palace In the imperial car
riages attended by aids. The twenty
seven captains and commanders were
taken to the Imperial Hotel. The streets
leading to both places were literally pack
ed hundreds deep with madly cheering
crowds. The effect of the mass Of waving
flags resembled a sea of red, white and
blue.
Togo Reception Outdone.
The Associated Press Is assured that the
return of Admiral Togo to Toxic after
his great victory Of the Sea Of Japan did
not arouse as great enthusiasm as was
manifested today.
The officials received official calls this
morning and returned them, after which
they called on Ambassador O'Brien and
remained to partake of an Informal lunch
con, at which only the embassy staff and
the naval officers were present. This will
be followed by two garden parties, one
at the American embassy and the other
at the residence Of Baron Iwasaki.
A dinner was given tonight by the
American ambassador at the Imperial Ho-
tel.
In proposing the health Of Admiral
Sperry and his officers Ambassador
O'Brien said he desired to extend his well
come and greeting to everybody present
and especially to the brave and tried Of
ficers of the Japanese navy. sitting this
evening side by side In fraternal COM
radeship with the Americans. The COM
mingling of such men. he said, was an
inspiration. He then referred briefly to
the beginning of relations between the
two countries fifty-six years ago, and
traced the progress of young Japan.
Assurance Of Peace.
1--WE cannot close our eveS tn fha great