Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-02-21
JAPAN ASKS
PEACE SAY VS.
TAKAHIRA
AMBASSADOR is PRESENTED
AT WHITE HOUSE
BRINGS MESSAGE FROM MIKADo
TO PRESIDENT
Declares Emperor Desires to Maintain
Friendly Relations with All Ma
tions-President Expresses
Qualification
BY Associated Press.

BY Associated Press.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.-The formal
reception of Baron Takahira as am
bassador of the Japanese government
TO the United States took place at the
White House at 2:45 p. m. The am
bassador was brought to the White
House in President Roosevelt's private
carriage, accompanied by Col. Brom-
well, the presidents aid.
The suit of the ambassador, in dip
lomatic, military and naval uniforms,
was present at the reception.
Upon being presented, Baron Taxa
hira addressed the president as fol-
lows:
Mr. President: The emperor, my
august sovereign, sincerely desiring to
maintain the historical relations of
friendship and sympathy which happily
unites Japan and the United States,
has been graciously pleased to appoint
me as his ambassador extraordinary
and plenipotentiary near the govern
ment of the United States, and I con-
slider it a great honor to be intrusted
with such high duties.
Fully cognizant of the growing i'm
portance of our relations, / confess I
am not insensible of the great respon-
sibilities involved in this important
mission. In assuming such RESPONSE
bility, however. I am largely encour'
aged by my vivid recollections of the
pleasant experiences 1 had during my
last tenure of Office as his majesty $
minister In this capital, which were, |
dare say, entirely due to the confidence
and good will / was fortunate enough
| to receive from your government, as
we'll as the high sense of justice that
always characterized it's attitude to-
ward my country.
Wants Lasting Peace
1.-THE maintenance of lasting peace
with all nations and the conservation
of the rights and interests of all peo-
pie are the cardinal objects of my
august sovereign in his international
dealings. and 1 assure you, Mr.. Presi-
dent that in the discharge or my duties
my attention will be constantly directed
| to the attainment of that high ideal, ana
nothing in my power Will be lett I'M
done in that direction.
Relying implicitly upon your renewed
confidence in me and the friendly CO.
operation of your government with my
| efforts, I have the honor to deliver to
| you the credentials of the emperor
whereby his majesty appoints me to
this important post and his letter re-
calling my predecessor, V1scount AoKl
The president responded as follows:
"In receiving from your hands the
| letters of credentials whereby your
august sovereign, the emperor OF ia
pan, commendS you to me ana 10 tne
government of the United states In
! the capacity of ambassador extraor-
binary and plenipotentiary, as the faith
| full exponent of his imperial majesty
sentiments of friendliness and esteem
for this country, I have great pleasure
| in expressing the lively satisfaction
with which / have heard your cordial
assurances of the desire and purpose
of Japan to maintain and IL possible 70
still further strengthen the close bonds
| of amity that have so long, so happily
and SO beneficially existed between your
great island of the. far east ana our
commonwealth of the west.
Pledges Cooperation
'T feel that l can do even more than
reciprocate those assurances on behalf
of this government and of my country
men. 1 can most sincerely pledge to
you, and through you to your nation.
| the earnest cooperation of the United
states In all that may tend to MAINTAIN
and to more firmly establish the good
will we mutually bear and to foster
the material advantage of the two ma
| lions of the paths of tranquil pros
perity.
For yourself, Mr.. Ambassador, our
government and it's people present the
l<indliest words of welcome because we
cherish very agreeable remembrance
of your former honored soJourn IN TINS
country as your nations minister. You
bring to your congenial task a KNOW
edge of our life and ways such as few
men not of our own race can bring, and
YOU will be aided In your course by
the consciousness that you possess the
personal sympathy, esteem and conf
dence of those among whom you come
/ to dwell.
"In accepting the letters of recall OF
your worthy predecessor, l have to
assure you of our good wishes In MS
| behalf. -
II beg. Mr.. Ambassador, that you
will convey to your august sovereign
my personal wishes for his continued
health, happiness and welfare, and that
through the appropriate channeI YOU
will make known to your government
and to your fellow citizens the. earnest
wishes of the government and people
Of the United States for the prosperity
and we'll being of the japanese ma
| 4