Omaha daily bee., 1908-10-23
SPIRIT OF THE NEW JAPAN
Demonstration in Honor Of Americans
Surpasses Anything in Toxic,
ToRCHLIGHT PARADE MILES LONG
Day Of Elaborate Entertainment
for Omcers II Closed with
Dinner Given by Baron
komurn.

TOXIC, oct. 22.-The capital Of Japan
witnesse dtonight the most extraordinary
evidence Of the spirit of the-new Japan.
After having an audience Of of the
officers Of the American battleship fleet
on Tuesday the emperor issued an order
directing the people to increase in every
way possible the enjoyment, comfort and
pleasure of the American visitors who
came, he said. as historic friends of the
Japanese nation. The response to this
imperial mandate was-seen and heard to-
night. Originally a togchlight procession
Of 5000 people was planned as part of
today's program, but this feature went far
beyond expectations and developed one of
the greatest popular demonstrations and
outpourings Of an enthusiastic people ever
witnessed in any country. Japan's war
celebrations. after peace with Russia, Lon
don's Mafeking Right and even New York's
election night revel would seem almost in
significant when compared with Tokio's
celebration tonight. It would be impossible
to number the people who took part in
the parade and the myriad Of spectators
Mile after mile through madly cheering
people the great procession wound its way.
Representatives Of various guilds, univer-
stiles, schools of every class for boys and
other organizations took part in the parade,
each individual carrying a lighted lantern
held high on a pole with American and
japanese flags intertwined. Admiral Sperry
and the other officers of the American
fleet viewed the procession from a special
stand, standing with barred heads above the
sea of waving lanterns. So derse became
the crowds around the stands where the
American officers stood. that the entire
procession was blocked until Admiral
Sperry was forced to leave in order to
keep an engagement at the Inner given
b. Minister OF Foreign Affairs Komura.
Crowd Surrounds Embassy.
Again atthe America nembassy the great
procession halted and the clomax was
reached, although Ambassador O'Brien was
not at the embassy at the time. He, too,
had left to attend the function at the resi-
dence of he foreign minister. When the
head of the procession arrived at the en-
bassy and halted, Mrs. OBrien and other
ladies of the embassy appeared upon the
verandah and had a prolonged ovation
from the crowds, every man and boy in
the parade lifting his hat to the ladies'
whilethere were continuous shouts for the
American ambassador. The entire grounds
surrounding the embassy were lighted witt
a sea Of lanterns and the demonstration
att his point lasted two hours, the ladies
of theembassy viewing it until they wer,
forced to leave to keep a Inner engage
ment. even then the parade was not re
sumed for more than an hour. Every banC
in Toxic turned out for the parade anC
their favorite airs were Yankee Doodle,
Dixie" and John Brown" Thousands o
the paraders wore fantastic costumes char
acteristic of Japanese celebrations.
Every foreigner in Toxic was deeply i'm
pressed by tonight's remarkable demonstra
ton. coming, as it did, from an ordinaril
undemonstrative people.
The entire day was taken up by a serie
of elaborate entertainments to Admire
Sperry and the other admirals of the Amer.
can fleet and their aides.-.The America
fleet commander. together with the othe
admirals, will leave Toxic at 2:30 .. n
October %, when the scene of celebration
will change from this city to Yokohama an
will close with a reception on board tn
Connecticut next Saturday.
Dinner by Baron KOmura.
At the dinner given by the minister {
foreign affirs tonight, Baron Komura,
proposing the health of Rear Admir-;
Sperry, said he was bidding him a reluctaI
goodbye. He only asked the admiral
take back to the people of the United STATE
the message of good will and kindly fee
ing seen on every face and heard in ever
voice of tens of thousands, which was
sure reflection Of the sentiments OF II
loyal subjects OF the emperor, Japan nev,
i, forgot" said Minister Komura, that in 4
hour of stress 1t had not looked in val
to the great republic for sympathy, viii
in it's forward struggle it had example ar
encouragement from the American people
Rear Admiral Sperry, in replying, earl
estly said that the character of the WELDON