The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1908-10-30
"A FITTING CLIMAX
A REMARKABLE DEMONSTRATION
AT TOKYO IN HONOR OF WIS.,
TING AMERICANS.
GRAND TORCHLIGAT PARADE
Celebration Surpassed Even That at
the Close of HostiIities With
Russia-Foreigners Deep.
Iy Impressed.

Tokyo, Oct 24.-The capital of
Japan witnessed Thursday night the
most extraordinary evidence of the
spirit of the new Japan. After having
an audience of the officers of the
American battleship fleet on Tuesday
the emperor issued an order directing
the people to increase in every way
possible the enjoyment, comfort and
pleasure of the American visitors who
came, he said, as historic friends of
the Japanese nation. The response to
this imperial mandate was seen and
heard Thursday night. Originally a
torchlight procession of $4,000 people
was planned as part of Thursdays
program, but this feature went far be-
yond expectations and developed one
of the greatest popular demonstra-
tions and outpourings of an enthusi-
astic people ever witnessed in any
country. Japans war celebrations, af-
ter peace with Russia, London's
"Mafeking night" and even New
York's election night revel would
seem almost insignificant compared
with T6Tyo's celebration Thursday
night 1t would be impossible to es-
innate the number of people who took
part in the parade and the myriads
of spectators. Mile after mile, through
madly cheering people the great pro-
cession wound its way. Representa-
tives of various guilds, universities,
schools of every class, for boys and
other organizations took part in the
parade, each individual carrying
lighted lantern held high on long
pole with American and Japanese flags
intertwined. Admiral Sperry and the
other chief officers Of the American
fleet viewed the procession from q
special stand, standing with barred
heads above the sea of waving Ian
terms, the deafening roar of cheers
and the clash of the music from scores
of bands which played the American
national hymn continuously. So dense
became the crowds around the stand
where the American officers stood,
that the entire procession was
blocked until Admiral Sperry was
forced to leave in order to keep an
engagement at the dinner given by
Minister of Foreign Affairs Komura.
Again at the American embassy the
great procession halted and the climax
of the enthusiasm was reached, al
| though Ambassador O'Brien was not
at the embassy at the time. He, too,
had left to attend the function at the
residence of the foreign minister.
When the head of the procession ar
rived at the embassy and halted, Mrs.
OBrien and the other ladies of the
embassy appeared upon the veranda
and received a prolonged ovation from
the crowds, every man and boy among
! the paraders lifting his hat to the
| ladies, while there were continuous
| shouts for the American ambassador.
The entire grounds surrounding the
embassy were lighted with sea of
| 'anterns and the demonstration at this
point lasted for two hours, the ladies'
| If the embassy viewing it until they
were forced to leave to keep a dinner
| engagement. Even then the parade
was not resumed for more than an
hour. Every band in Tokyo turned
out for the parade and their favorite
airs were yankee Doodle Dixie
and John Brown" Thousands Of the
paraders wore fantastic costumes
characteristic of japanese celebrations.
Every foreigner in Tokyo was deep
ly impressed by Thursday nights re-
markable demonstration, coming as it
did from an ordinarily undemonstra-
tive people.