The Springfield herald., 1908-10-23
JAPAN GREETS
YANKEE FLEET
WONDERFUL PAGEANT OF AMER.
IcAN AND JAPANESE VESSELS
IN HAReoR OF TOXIC.
BRIGHT WITH BUNTING.
THOUSANDS OF SPECTATORS
WITNESS INSPIRING SCENE
AFLoAT AND ASHORE.


tleships, constituting the Atlantic
fleet on its peaceful cruise around the
world, are riding at anchor today IN
the bay of Iokio occupying the post
of honor in front of number of Jap
anese men-ofwar, the hulls of the
American vessels making strong con-
trast with the somber-hued ones of the
Japanese.
In the bay, alive with bunting, gaily
decorated tugs and steamers loaded
with sightseers, are steaming to ana
fro, and launches from the shore and
the war vessels are bearing uniformed
officers on tleir official visits of wei
come.
1t was in the gray hours before
dawn Saturday morning when the le-
viathans of Americas great white bat
tleship fleet were dimfy discerned ma
neuvering off the entrance to Toxic
bay, while sixteen warships, the
pride of Japan, in somber color swung
at their anchor buoys outside of the
breakwater encircled by low purple
hills.
From thousands of flagstaffs and
buildings and every point in the big
city floated the stars and stripes and
the entire lengths of miles of streets
were almost walled with intertwined
American and japanese emblems. The
bay itself was fairly aflame with bunt-
ing where tugs and steamers, gaily
decorated with streamers and pen
nants, lined the wharves awaiting
thousands of eXcursionists who were
going out to meet the fleet.
Even the early hours mads it ap-
parent that all expectations of great
crowds and an enthusiastic welcome
to the American fleet would be eN-
ceeded and that all records of the out
pouring of popular sentiment would
be surpassed.
The enthusiasm of the people was
evidently siacere, though mixed with
the natural curiosity 10 see the big
fighting ships from America. the long
and successful cruise of which has
marked Il new epoch in naval history.
AS tilt SiNlVtH bp''iSSh'Po
Honmou point and came through the
entrance to The bay they We're accom-
panied by the Japanese cruisers Soya,
Magami and Tatsuta, commanded by
Rear Admiral Murakami. Passing up
the coast off Yokosuki, the first note
of real welcome was sounded when
fireworks salute was fired by the
american f.iends," comprised of Jap
anese who had assembled at Muir Au-
rihama on the site of Perry's monu-
ment The fleet responded by grace
fully dipping colors.
When it came closer in the fleet was
met by seven big ocean liners char
tered by the prefecture of Kanagawa,
carrying 1000 persons, including many
foreigners. The air was filled with
bursting bombs. sent up from various
points, and the roar of voices was
heard even n the city of Yokohama.
When the fleet rounded Honmou
point and came into full view of the
city of Yokohama, the sixteen assem-
bled japanese warships began firing
the salute to the rear admiral in COM
mand of the American fleet. The roar
OF tne guns, the pursuing llTeWorhS
bombs, the shrek of the steam sirens,
with the drone of the deep notes of the
liners, filled the air with overwhelming
sound. Ashore, bedlam broke loose,
and words fail to describe the enthus-
iasm of the assembled thousands.
When the American fleet finally
came to anchor, it presented an impos-
ing spectacle. Thirty-two great war
ships occupied four long columns of
eight each, the Americans taking place
of honor in the forefront, the Japanese
Immediately behind them and heading
due north.
AS soon as the fleet came to anchor
reception committee from the Jap
anese government, representing every
department, and attaches of the vari-
Gus foreign embassies and legations
and the mayor of Yokohama put off
from shore for the flagship Connect
cut.
Every vernacular newspaper in Yo-
kohama and Toxic printed special il
Illustrated editions, containing enthus-
iastic articles with reference to the
coming of the American fleet. Th',
entire circulation of these newspapers
will probably reach 100000.