Los Angeles herald., 1908-10-24
BOAT DINNERS
CLOSE JAPAN'S
BIG FUNCTIONS
BEST PART OF PROGRAM HAS
BEEN rendered FLEET
ADMIRAL sPERRY GOES TO
FUNERAL OF GEN. NoDZU
Tens of Thousands of Japanese In
Enthusiasm Almost Carry Ameri-
can Naval Officer Away-Atl
Deeply Affected
rRy Associated Press. }


VI OKOHAMA, Oct. 2S.-The series OF
incompatible higher functions
n which have characterized Japan's
reception of the American fleet ended
tonight.
With a dinner on board the battle
ship Full, the guests being confined to
the American ambassador, rear ad-
nirals and other officers, and Drill
liant reception on the battleshlp MI
kasa to which all the prominent Amer
icans here were invited, with the ac-
commandments of an illumination of
tleet. fireworks and torchlight process
sions on shore.
Rear Admiral Sperry today endeared
himself to the Japanese people by per-
sonally attending the funeral of GEN
eral Count Nodzu and placing a wreath
on the casket. Later, after lunch
con given at the Shiba palace, Rear
Admiral Sperry, accompanied by his
aides, walked from the palace to the
Shimbaski railway station, passing
along the Gina, the principal street or
Toxic, which was massed with people
The rear admiral was recognized and
almost carried away by tens OF thou-
sands of enthusiastic people, but was
everywhere treated with respect
Thousands Seek Handshake
Thousands sought, to shake him by
the hand and the ovation lasted the
whole length of the street.
The stern old admiral evidently was
deeply impressed and at times stopped,
shaking hands with some individuals
who speaking English, halted him for
the benefit of others. The admiral
said to each:
II am deeply impressed by the hearth
ness and sincerity of your welcome to
myself my officers and men. trust
that the friendship now formed VIII
last forever, and regret the necessity
of bidding you farewell.
Rear Admiral Sperry was accom-
nanied by Rear Admirals Schroeder
and wainwright. who, with their aides.
were kept equally busy exchanging
greetings.
station half an hour before the time
set for their departure and took refuge
from the pressure of the friendly crowd
in the waiting room.
When the Japanese officials, VINO
were to accompany the American OIL
GERS to Yokohama arrived rear Al
miral Sperry was invited to enter
carriage again for a short drive In or
der to give the people who had ar
rived late an opportunity for final
greeting.
Demonstration Follows
He consented, and when he appeared
a veritable beldam broke loose. He
was driven a short distance ana re-
turned to the station.
Along the whole route he was given
an ovation such as 1t is Impossible 10
describe. The tumult was deafenlng.
on arriving at the square opposite
the ShimbasN station, thousands OF
children waved flags and sang.
The station was crowded with hign
Janauese officials and prominent citl-
zens. The American embassy, 10
strong, was headed by Ambassador
O'Brien, Col. Irons, American mill
tary attaehe, and Lieut.. Commanuer
Dougherty. the naval attache, and ther
stats in full uniform, hundreds OF
high naval and military officers OF
Japan together. with many ladieS'
made up a most brilliant scene
When the special train moved out
of the station there was constant
din. the cheering of the people min
Cling with the blare of three brass
bands. The route to Yokohama, as on
the occasion of the going of the Amer
leans to Toxic, was lined with tnou-
sands of more school children, sing
ing and waving flags.
Saves Japanese Flag
The same scenes were continued in
Yokohama, along the route or the
Americans to the wharf where the
launch of the flagship Connecticut
awaited the rear admiral, ana the
cheers continued until he reached the
ship.
A single incident will illustrate the
spirit in which the American sailors
accepted the welcome of the Japanese.
This evening a triumphal arch az
the entrance of the principal street OF
Yokohama caught fire, the plaze
reaching up towards Japanese nag
floating from a Flagstaff at the Top
and threatening to destroy the nag
An American jackie dashed up the
framework of the arch, through the
blaze. broke off the staff and carried
the flag safely to the ground. rms
act was witnessed by thousands anu
created a profound impression
The youngster received an ovation
which continued until he was forceu
to run for shelter.
The famous Maple club of Toxic was
a scene tonight of one of the most
brilliant functions of this entire week
of unsurpassed entertainment.
The American Friends association,
of which Baron Kaneko is president,
and Baron Takahashi. vice president,
entertained $50 officers and number
of the most prominent women of Toxic.
All Have Been Here
The association is composed entlre-
ly of Japanese who have visited Amer
lea, majority being university men,
all speaking the English language.
The entertainment included Japanese
and European dinners, dancing and
fireworks. During the course of the
b evening Baron I<aneko, in lengthy,
felicitous speech. presented Rear Adj
miral Emory, who represented Rear
Admiral Sperry, with picture of the
landing of the men of Commodore
Perry's fleet at Kurihama
The picture is framed in Oregon pine,
brought from America by Commodore
Perry. who presented it to the Japanese
government. n was painted by Jap
anese artist, now SO years old, who was
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