Omaha daily bee., 1908-10-21
AMERICANS IN TOXIC
Emperor Of Japan ss Officers
of BattleShii
BRILLIANT FUNCTION A1ACE
Empress Shakes Hands W + very
One of Visitors. a.
SPERRY PRESENTS MESSAGE
Greeting Of Good Will is Cabled by
President Roosevelt.
REPLY OF EMPEROR CORDIAL
lie Hopes that Historic Relations of
Good UnderstAndinE May Long
COntinue--Reception IL Fol-
lowed by Luncheon.
Greeting Of Good Will is Cabled by
President Roosevelt.
REPLY OF EMPEROR CORDIAL

Japan took place today when Rear Admiral
sperry, his flag. officers and the captains
and commanders OF the sixteen battleships
were presented to the emperor and empress
under circumstances evidencing a radical
departure from all court precedents in order
to do favors to the Americans. That it was
the most brilliant function that the palace
has ever known is vouched for by those
who have been attached 10 the court of the
emperor OF Japan for many years. The en-
peror assumed a most cordial manner and
tho empress shook hands with every officer.
To the message from President Roosevelt
delivered by Admiral Sperry, the emperor
responded as follows:
Admiral Sperry, It affords me especial
pleasure to welcome you as the repre-
sentative Of the American navy ard to re-
ceive through you from your respected
president his very friendly message. 1 re-
quest you to assure the president that I
most sincerely appreciate and most cor
daily reclprocate his sentiments of friend
ship and good will. 1t is a source of pro-
found satisfaction to me that the most
cordial relations of regard and good corre-
spondence exist between Japan and the
United States, and my thanks are due to
the president for affordng my subjects by
of their sincere attachment for your coun-
trymen also wish you to convey to the
president this message:
The historic relations of good under
standing and genuine friendship with the
United States I count as a valid heritage
of my reign and 1t shall be in the future
as 1t has been in the past, my constant
aim and desire to weld the ties OF amity,
uniting the two countries into indissouble
bonds OF good neighborhood and perfect ac-
cord
II trust the same success that has so far
attended your voyage may still be with
you to the end"
Message IN ~ Surprise.
The exchange of messages between Presl-
dent Roosevelt and the emperor was evil
IDENTIFY planned surprise When the
Presidents message was received its evil
dent cordial tone was at once accepted as
the highest official endorsement of the
peaceful mission and friendly spirit with
which the fleet left the Atlantic and Is now
visiting Japan hence the unusual tone OF
the emperor's reply, which has been pub
lished here, was understood Immediately as
indicating that the entente between Amer
lea and Japan, although unwrtten, was
most sincere and real
The procession OF carriages conveying the
officers OF the fleet to the palace through
the streets lined with cheering multitudes
was most imposing. When the spacious
grounds opposite the approach 70 the pal
ace what is known as the double bridge" ."
was reached the enthusiasm reached its
height Only a select few Japanese have
ever visited these grounds and few indeed
have ever been given an audience by the
emperor.
Arriving into the palace the visitors were
ushered into the great audience hall, where
the admrals were introduced by the
American ambassador, Thomas ]. O'Bren,
who. with Admiral sperry, was invited to
enter the emperors room, where the mes
sage from President Roosevelt, which, of
course had already been submitted to the
emperor was read. This was translated,
and the emperor replied:
Officers Are Presented.
The emperor and Admiral Sperry then
rc-entered the audience hall, the emperor
standing at one end OF the room, Admiral
sperry on his left and an interpreter on
the right Rear Admiral Emory then APP
preached and presented the officers Of his
squadron. The same program was followed
by Rear Admirals Schroeder and VAIN
wright, each admiral taking his place by
the side of the cOmmander-in-chlef OF the
American fleet. The whole scene was re-
peated In another magnificent ROOM where
the empress stood and received the ad-
mirals and other officers Of the fleet.
The presentation vas followed by an
elaborate luncheon, at which forty-five per
sons were present, the emperor occupying
a position at the center OF the table, with
Rear Admiral sperry sitting opposite him
,sH-l
down according to rank with the japanese
and American officers intermlxed. The
table was muEnificeutly decorated and the
menu service was most elaborate.
AT the end OF the meal the emperor re-
tired. meeting Rear Admiral sperry at the
door and bade him a most cordial farewell
and presented him with magnificent sill
Yer vase As the emperor retired, the
American and Japanese officers also left
This afternoon the officers of the Ameri-
can and Japanese fleets, the visiting dele
cation of Pacific coast business men and
their ladies' and many OF the most proml'
nent citizens OF Toxic, numbering In al
about 1000, was entertained at a garder
party at Asano Tonight the naval Officers
were the guests OF the naval clubs al q
reception given by Vice Admiral Saito. th'
Japanese minister OF marine, and at whief
the scenes OF yesterday evening were re-
nroduced Only officers OF the American
and japanese navies and the foreign am
bsssadors and ministers were invited
There are festivities In every direction II
Yokohama and Toxic for the men of the
American fleet who are hugely enjoyins
their visit TO Japan.
Message of the President.
WASHINGTON, oct. @.-The foloWins
4. tns text OF President RooSsvelts mes
sage 10 Rear Admiral sperry for trans
ro,,tsl 10 the emperor OF Japan;
"sperry FLAGSHIP Connecticut Yokohama
Convey TO his majesty the emperor OF ia
pan. my best wishes for his continued
. hs.ith ana happiness and that OF al