Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1908-10-28
HAND SHAKING OF
JAPAN'S EMPRESS
Japanese Paper Speaks
Of Courtesy To
Americans

The Hawaii Shinpo makes the fol-
lowing reference to the incident OF
the Empress of japan shaking hands
with officers of the Atlantic Fleet:
While the ordinary Westerner may
look upon the AFFAIR as an ordinary
thing and not know that there Is
much significance In this singular
act of our beloved and almost apoth-
eosized Empress towards the Ameri-
can naval men, there can be no ques-
tion of It's significance to Japanese
minds. II is indeed historic affair
sand years.
Ever since there was history. our
sovereigns, who were invariably de-
flied and were always the center of
the nations worship, were the recip-
tents Of bows but never the offerers.
To approach them was a trespass fof
common people; to see them in per-
son was the greatest honor of life
time. Fifty years ago. our nation
was put in tumult over the discus
sion of how to save our country from
the trespass of foreigners which was
thought would bring disgrace upon
reigned over the land for thousands
of years. The Empire of Nippon was
considered a holy land because our
deified sovereigns ruled over it.
Foreign intrusion was therefore
strongly resented until the whole
country was brought to the boiling
point and the white snow that COW
cred the pathway to the Gate of Sa-
kurada was stained with the crimson
blood Of Premier II Ramon, who sign
ed his name to the memorable agree
ment that opened Japan to foreign
intercourse. II is dream now. Yet
even to this day who among us ever
dreamed that our most exalted En-
press would shake hands with the
foreigners! japanese, no matter how
high in social position they may be,
will never dare to touch her person.
We cannot hear this news with
out a great awe and heartfelt graf
itude to our sovereign, because we
think that such an act on the part OF
the Empress was performed with her
lsincerest wish to cement the tie be-
tween the two nations represented
by herself and her foreign visitors
No word will express this sense Of
our gratitude.
Our proverb says: Bare thy Grim
son heart and appeal to the others
conscience" For months and years
Japan was misrepresented to Amer-
lea by those who meant to play mis-
chief and thereby accomplish their
selfish purposes. Even the present
visit OF the White Fleet to Japan 3
shores was misrepresented to mean a
threat: and some uneasiness prevail
cd among the people about the out
Icome of the Fleets visit to Japan
where an unprecedented welcome Is
! now being extended to the Fleet. and
: which combined with the message
from President Roosevelt. is inter-
preted by the japanese papers as a
. lsilent alliance between the two ma
tions.
When two friends misunderstood
each other. a heart to heart talk will
! make the matter right. Why should
, 1t not be the same with nations? Our
country represented by our highest
: and most beloved Princess "bares our
crimson heart and appeal to the
, Americas conscience" in order ia
adjust the few Misunderstanding
; which have cropped up. and which
might have, IL unwisely and mali
ciously agitat,d. developed into a
, great disaster for the world.
Japan is now doing her utmost In
: welcoming the American visitors and
, through them expresses to the Am.
erican public her true attitude, rely
, ing on the clear conscience of the
, American nation for the solution OF
: the problems arising between the
two.