The San Francisco call., 1908-04-05
JAPANESE TOURISTS
SEE STATE EXHIBITS
Seventy Business and Profess
sional Men From Orient EN-
tertained at Ferry
Cordial Welcome to the United
States Extended to Travel
ers Who Come to Study


America and Japan extended hands
across the sea yesterday when repre-
sentatives of the two. countries met in
the Ferry building and exchanged
felicitations 1t was greeting from
the commercial world of the United
States to the new industrial spirit of
the orient. The welcome to the 10
Japanese business and professional men
was extended by the California state
board of trade The affair assumed
national significance from the fact that
the visitors were greeted not only as
the guests of California but of the
country. This is the first city in the
United States the Japanese have visited
in their tour H the world. From here
they will travel eastward, stopping at
Salt Lake, Chicago, New York and
other eastern points.
1t was cordial welcome that was
abounded in expressions of mutual
esteem and through them all ran a
sentiment calling for a lasting harmony
between the two nations.
VISIT STATE EXHIBITS
Nearly every one of the 20 Japanese
was in attendance. They were met by
a large delegation from the state
board of trade and taken through the
California products were carefully ex
amined and special guides were at
hand to answer all questions. No ar
ticle of interest escaped the attention
of the visitors. The agricultural prod
ucts were carefully scrutinized and
many descriptive booklets were taken
for future references.
A visit was then made to the mining
bureau and a study made. of the ex-
in, +lo wi
of the states mineral wealth are on
display. At o'clock a light luncheon
was served. Every article was a prod
uct of the state There were Cali
fornia crackers. California fruit olives,
pickles, raisins and the best of Cali
fornia wines.
The speech of welcome was made by
John P. Irish, who paid a tribute TO the
japanese character. He spoke of the
Japanese in California and expressed
the hope that the peaceful relations be-
tween the two countries would not be
disturbed. He was followed by T. Do
moto, a local Japanese merchant, who
voiced in his native tongue welcome
in behalf of his countrymen in San
Francisco.
JAPANESE RESPOND
Responses were made by K. Sugi-
mura, foreign editor of the Asahl Snlm-
bun of Tokyo, and K. Minami professor
in the Osaka high school. They ex-
pressed the hope that the United States
and Japan might be dawn closer to-
gether in matters of trade. They spoke
of the similarity of Japanese and Amer
lean institutions and the necessity or
better understanding.
In the party were four ladies. Mrs
Y. Hori, wife of wholesale jeweler of
Osaka; Mrs. s. lido, wife of the editor of
a large newspaper; Mrs. Nomura, wife
of the Samurai Shokai, and Mrs. IA
Lumahari, wife of an Osaka alderman
A reception had been planned blythe
merchants exchange, but 1t was found
impossible to crowd 1T into the short
space of time allowed. The visitors
left for Oakland Immediately after the
reception in the Ferry building. They
were the guests of the Oakland cham
Der of commerce during the rest of the
afternoon and returned last evening to
the Fairmont hotel. They will leave
for the east at 10 O'Clock this morning.