Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-10-20
Excel All Others in En-
tertaining Our Fleet.
Officers Say "Best Ever 1.-The
laps Say we've Just Begun"
Toxic and Yokohama Ablaze With
Handsome Decorations.


ed the American Atlantic fleet by the
government and people of Japan is
conceded by the American naval Off
GERS to be the heartiest and most per-
fectly carried out of the many -recep-
tions received by the fleet since it
sailed from Hampton Roads. Rear Ad-
miral Sperry said to The Associated
Press today that he was utterly un-
able to say how it had been accom-
plished, but that the welcome given
the fleet and it's officers and men here
had been 80 carefully planned and car
ricd out to the most minute details
that lasting impression has been
stamped upon the mind of every
American who has witnessed 1t,
The men of the American and Jap
anese fleet are fraternizing everywhere
in Toxic and Yokohama. Every wish of
the American sailors is anticipated, and
each bluejacket finds an English
speaking guide among the Japanese
sailors 1t is impossible to doubt the
sincerity of the Japanese. The Ameri-
can officers and sailors are already be-
ginning to understand the fact that the
evident desire on the part of the Jap
anese for the friendship of America is
finds its source in sincere wish to
show that such friendship, at least on
the part OF the Japanese has existed
always, and that this visit of the fleet
has merely afforded the Japanese an
opportunity for that expression.
There can be no doubt that the sim
Infamous visit of the American Expo
sition Commissioners, the Pacific Coast
D,,Ci NHn,, he In Mt ip
are part of an organized plan of the
Japanese to finally wipe out all mis-
understanding between Japan and
America and to give the visiting
Americans an insight into the real at
titudc of Japan toward the United
States.
1t is absolutely certain that already
the desired effect upon the Americans
has been produced. since the arrival
of the fleet not single unpleasant in
cident has occurred. though the sail
ors Of both fleets are swarming
through the towns about Yokohama
and Toxic.
Early on Tuesday morning Admiral
Sperry viii be received at the Imperial
palace. On the morning of Wednesday
the admrals and captains of the fleet
the palace. Admiral Sperry will con-
vcy to the Emperor a message from
President Roosevelt The words of this
message have not been given out. but
there is reason to believe that it
breathes a spirit of friendship and
sympathy and expresses keen apprecia-
ton of the traditional friendship be-
tween the two nations and an earnest
1,icb for tba ctrop OF and contip-
uance of the friendly relations of the
PAST.
1t is uncertain what reply the Emper-
or will make when this message is
presented by Admiral Sperry, but it is
considered possible that he may break
his rule and make some statement in
terms similar to those used by Pres
ident Roosevelt. Thousands of sailors
from the American fleet are granted
shore liberty daily and it is remarkable
that notwithstanding their long con-
fiaement aboard ship, not a single diff
Guilty has been reported: bearing out
the statement of Admiral Sperry made
in one of his speeches here. that the
American sailor of today is the result
of that development ard education
which Japan is seeking in every de-
partment of her national life.
Americans throughout Japan are en-
thusiastic regarding the visit of the
fleet and the cordiality of the reception
accorded their fellow countrymen.
though the program is so elaborate
and so fully carried out that at times
it becomes almost monotonous. Still the
visiting Americans are given the OPP
nortunity to see more of japan than
any ordinary tourist could possibly &C
complsh in the same time.
Toxic. Oct. 19.-Monday morning
broke calm and beautiful over Yoko-
hama bay. the harbor being bathed in
brilliant sunshine which threw into
strong relief the gistening white sides
Of the American battleships where
they lay at anchor beside the darker
Japanese fleet
The first on the program, the recep-
ton of the officers, was begun by Rear
Continued on Page Twelce)