The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-20
Good Impression Made Upon
 Visiting Americans
UNIFORM IS "OPEN SESAME"
Not an Unpleasant Incident Has oc- cured at Yokohama Since the Ar rival of the Fleet and Friend
 Hest Feelings Prevail.

Tolio October 20.-The reception ae- corded the American Atlantic fleet by the government and people of Japan IS conceded by the American naval officers to be the heartiest and most perfectly carried out of the many receptions re- ceived by the fleet since it sailed from Hampton Roads, Rear Admiral Sperry said to the Associated Press today that the welcome given the fleet and its of ficers and men here has been so care- fully planned and carried out to the most minute detail that a lasting impress sion has been stamped upon the mind of every American who has witnessed it.
 The men of the American and Japanese fleets are fraternizing everywhere in Tokio and Yokohama Every wish of the Amer ican sailors is anticipated, and each blue jacket finds an English-speaking guide among the Japanese sailors. The Amer ican uniform is the .'open sesame" every where, the cordiality of the Japanese ex- tending to the inhabitants of the most re- mote villages. It is impossible to de- scribe the sincerity of the Japanese. The American officers and sailors are al- ready beginning to feel that the friend ship on the part of the Japanese has ex- isted always.
 Friendly Feeling.
 There can be no doubt that the simul- taneous visits of the American exposi- tion commissioners, the Pacific coast busi- ness men and the Atlantic fleet are a part of an organized plan of the Jap- anese to finally wipe out all misunder- standing between Japan and the United States and give the visiting Americans an insight into the real attitude of the Japanese towards the United States.
 Since the arrival of the fleet not a single unpleasant incident has occurred, though the sailors of both fleets arc swarmings through the towns about To- kohama and Toldo-
 Speaking at the dinner given by Am bassador OBrien last night, Admiral Sperry said that he was unable to ac- count for the perfect way in which the reception to himself and his men had been carried out: but that it certainly surpassed anything of the kind that he had ever seen.
 Early on Tuesday morning Admiral Sperry will be received at the imperial palace; on Wednesday morning the ad- mirals and captains of the fleet will be guests of the Emperor at the palace. Admiral Sperry will convey to the Emperor a message from President Roosevelt.
 The words of this message have not been given out. but there is reason to believe that it breathes spirit of friendship and sympathy and expresses keen appreciation of the traditional friendship between the two nations and an aGt wis fha Stran ban in er and continuance of friendly relations of the past
 May Break Rule.
 It is uncertain what reply the Elm peror will make when this message is presented by Admiral Sperry, but it is considered possible that he may break his rule and make some statement in terms similar to those used by Presi- dent Roosevelt.
 Three thousand sailors from the fleet are granted shore liberty daily, and 1t is rema rkabIe that, notwith standing their long confinement aboard ship, not single difficulty has been reported; bearing out the statement of Admiral Sperry, made in one of his speeches here that the American sailor of today is the result of that department and education which Japan is seeking in every department of her national life.
 Americans throughout Japan are en- thusiastic regarding the visit of the fleet and the cordiality of the recep- tion accorded their fellow countrymen, though the programme is so elaborate and so fully carried out that at times it becomes almost monotonous. Still the visiting Americans are given the op- portunity to see more of Japan than any ordinary tourist could possibly ac- 1set, f,, &1,a