The San Francisco call., 1908-10-25
JAPAN GIVES FLEET
A PARTING SALUTE
SQUADRON Escorts American
BattIeships on Leaving YOkO-
hama to Circle World
Ministers, Admiral, Mayor and
People Join in Paying
Honor TO Visitors

YOKOHAMA Oct 25.-The Atlantic
hattleship feet sailed out OF Yokohama
harbor promptly at o'clock this morn
ne 10 continue its voyage around the
world. Nothing like the sendon that
was accorded the Americans as the
ships put 10 sea was ever before heard
Of or seen in japan
Every available launch in the harbor
was brilliantly decorated ana pressed
into the service of carrying citizens
who were anxious TO bid the heet goo
snee6. Larger steamships loaded with
excursionists steamed about ready 10
follow the feet out to deep water.
promntlv at 7.SO o'clock q launch
bearing Vice Minister OF Foreign Al
fairs Macy and other japanese officials
steamed alongside the Connecticut- The
Iapanese dfgnitaries were received with
4 salute from the guns Of the Connecti-
,ut and the usual marine guard turned
. out for them when they reached the
deck.
Minister Macy was the bearer Of the
fareweIls Of the nation 10 Admiral
Sperry. who was on deck early and re-
oeived the Official leave taking with the
proper ceremonies-
These farewells said. Rear Admiral
Kaito. who was Of the party that
boarded the American flagship, was
taken back to his own flagship. the
8ukasa and Immediately thereafter the
Connecticut weighed anchor, and. head
ing the long line Of American ships in
single rank formation. steamed down
the harbor and out past the break
water, while the guns Of the Japanese
feet Numbered the last goodby Of the
nation.
SQUADRON As ESCORT
A japanese squadron composed of
the Katnori, Kashima, Tsukuba and
Ikoma viii escort the warships during
the first part Of the cruise.
Rear Admiral Emory will command
the second squadron as far as Hong
kong, when he viii lower his flag and
proceed homewarrd via Europe. Cap
tain William P. Potter, who has COM
manded the Vermont, will take the rank
Of rear admiral in command Of the sec
ond division and raise his flag on the
Louisiana.
Representatives Of every department
Of the government, the entire diplo-
matte corps and the cOnsuls of all the
most prominent nations in the world
were the guests at a luncheon and re-
ception given aboard the flagship Con-
uecticut yesterday. The reception,
which was a gratifying evidence OF the
popularity OF the Americans, was at
tended by upward OF 5000 persons
prominent in official and civil life.
sPERRY SAYS FAREWELL
In an interview given exclusively to
the Associated Press last night Rear
Admiral Sperry said
i am deeply impressed by the sin
cerity OF the japanese government and
people in the welcome they have ex-
tended the officers and men Of the At
lantic feet Nothing could exceed the
lavish hospitality we have been shown
but IL is not alone upon the wonderful
variety and scope Of the entertainment
that We base this estimate. II wa.
rather the attitude Of the whole people
Of Japan toward the United States"
Rear admiral Sperry also issued
farewell 70 the people through the yer
nacular press, wherein he expressed
sentiments somewhat similar.
Acting Consul General Babbitt, who
represented the government OF the
United States at Yokohama during the
fleets stay, communicated TO Rear Ad.
miral Sperry officially the views Of the
mayor OF Yokohama, who said the be-
havior Of the thousands Of American
seamen ashore had filled the whole peo-
pie Of Japan with admiration.
TRIBUTE TO AMERICANS
Another pleasing communication con
veyed the request Of the governor o.
ShimOda that the city Of ShimOda b,
allowed 10 care for the graves of Sur
geOn General Hamilton and the en-
listed men who died during the visi
Of Commodore Perry 10 Japan.
The press Of Tokyo and YOkoham;
this morning devotes great space {,
editorial comment on the farewell L
the American atlantic feet. the gen
eral tone takenfby the various paper
being the expression of profound ap
preciation Of the thoughtfulness dis
played by the American government il
accepting Japans invitation and send
ing the feet TO japanese waters as i
made its way around the world on il
cruise.
The papers are also united IN rejoic
ing over the opportunity thus afforde
Japan TO demonstrate the traditiona
friendship Of the nation toward III
United States. which il is further com
mented. doubtless viii serve to com
pletely disperse the cloud Of misunder
standing that has been lowering owe
the relations between the two countrie