The Montana plaindealer. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1906-1911, 1908-10-23
JAPAN'S RECEPTION
TO ATLANTIC FLEET IS The
BEST EVER.
With japanese Escort of Sixteen Battle
ships It Was Imposing Scene When
They Anchored at yokohama Bay
Japanese Most Royal Entertainer
Everything Is Free to Visitors.

Sixteen American battleships, constr
tuting the Atlantic feet on its peace
ful cruise around the world, are at an
ehor at Yokohama in the bay Of Toxic,
occupying the position Of honor in front
of q like number of japanese men OF
war, the white hulls Of the American
vessels making a strong contrast with
Che somber-hued ones of the Japanese.
In the bay, alive with bunting, galIy
decorated tugs and steamers loaded with
sightseers are steaming to and fro and
launches from the shore and the Wharves
are bearing uniformed officers on their
official visits Of welcome.
Preceded by its tender, the Yankton,
the American feet entered the harboF
in a fog that hung over the bay and
dropped anchor at $3.50 o'clock Sunday
morning, one-half hour later than tn
time scheduled.
The feet proceeded to its anchorag
ground and anchored in four column
in front of the Japanese fleet of 10
warships. When anchors were east a
committee representing every depart
ment of the Japanese government and
accompanied by attaches Of various for
eign embassies and the mayor Of Yoke
hama boarded the flagship Connecticut
and officially welcomed Rear Admiral
Sperry, his officers and men to japan
From thousands Of lagstaffs and
buildings and every point in the big
" a--.-I A. GNora md GfFlnpG and
the entire length of miles of street
were almost walled with intertwlned
American and Japanese emblems. Tn
bay itself was fairly aAame with bunt'
ing where tugs and steamers, gaily
decorated with streamers and pennants,
lined the wharves awaiting thousands
of exeursionists who were going out to
meet the feet.
The enthusiasm of the people was evi
IDENTIFY sincere, though mixed with tn
natural curiosity to see the big fighting
ships from America, the long and sue
cessful cruise of which has marked a
new epoch in naval history.
Courteous to Foreigners
Foreigners were in the minority
the crowds, but wherever they appeare
they were treated with ave exceptional
courtesy because today to the Japanes
all foreigners must be Americans, many
of the Japanese being unable to dis
criminate between Americans and thos
from other lands.
Passing up the coast off Yokohama
the first note of real welcome wa
sounded when a fireworks salute was
fred by the America Friends associa
ton, comprised entirely of Japanese
who had assembled at Kurihama on tn
site of Perry's monument. The fee
responded by gracefully dipping colors
The FIRST item in the reception Nor
day to the Americans was the departur
of Rear Admiral Sperry and the ad
mirals and captains Of the feet TO
Toxic. They were driven to the station
in carriages deliberately decorated wit
flowers, where they entered a speclR
train at Q o'clock. Even the carriage
of the train were especially prepare,
for the occasion, having been newl
painted and draped with American flag
and beautiful decorations, while the II
teriors were filled with flowers.
Along the whole IS miles of the wa
to Toxic, through a country fntel
spersed with quaint matched cottage
and native villages, there was a col
tinual ovation to the Americans. Fac
village school turned out in force, tn
children waving two flags, an America
banner and the emblem of their nativ
land, and every one cheering lustil,
Admiral Sperry bowed his response fro
an open window and his officers wave
their hats, while the ladies Of the part
futtered flags and handkerchiefs fro
every window of the train. The tri
was one long procession through a lii
Of waving flags.
Walls of Singing Children.
The wonderful inspiration of Il
massed children g voices, r~epresentati'
of New Japan, was evidently a pa.
of a carefully t~hought-out plan. 1t
the intention of the reception offcia
to have 100000 school children tn
week voice the sentiment of the n
ten g coming generations.
On reaching Toxic the train was M
by a committee composed of represent
tives of every department of the go
ornment. Secretary Jay Of the America