The San Francisco call., 1908-05-08
TAKAHIRA SENDS
Ills GREETINGS
Japanese Ambassador Replies in
Cordial Terms to Invitation
of Fleet Committee
Draws Parallel Between Voyage
Of WarsIlips and Visit of
Commodore Perry


DAY cordial note from Baron X. Taxa
hira. Japanese ambassador to the United
States. In which he took occasion, while
expressing his regret at his inability to
participate in san Frsncisco's festivi-
lies. 10 state his belief that the ap-
preaching visit Of the war vessels TO
the orient would inaugurate a new
epoch in the friendly relations between
The two powers. He referred to the
great service rendered mankind by
President Roosevelt when he brought
the war ia Manchuria to an end, and
closed his communication by drawing
parallel between the famous mission of
Commodore Perry TO Japan and the
projected voyage Of the united squad
rons 10 the shores of his country. The
letter follows:
il has been my sincere desire TO ac-
cept If possible the very courteous in
vitation Of the mayor and the commit
tee Of the city Of san Francisco to at
tend the festivities that will be given
in honor Of the Atlantic feet during its
stay at that city. To my great regret,
however. I find II impossible TO be pres
ent on that occasion. which viii prove
undoubtedly interesting and enjoyable.
owing 10 the pressure of my official
duties requiring my presence at my
post Ny regret is all the more un-
bounded because I am thus deprived of
the fine opportunity to make acquaint-
ance with The citizens OF that city as
well as the gallant officers of that mag
niGcent fleet and to express TO them my
sincere friendly sentiment and good
wishes.
The relations between the United
States and Japan are unique and I'M
paraIleIed in nature, having no comparl-
son in the history OF diplomatic inter
course Of all nations. Whenever we
speak about our relations we have al
ways to begin with the famous ex-
pedition under command of Commodore
Perry-but a good story can never be
told too often.
Until that epoch making visit OF that
gallant officer Japan had been enjoy
ing slumbers Of centuries. though not
without some attention called TO the
approaching light Of the dawn, and we
would have been slumbering still longer
but for the persuasive message of the
president OF the United States fully
suggesting the danger Of secluding
ourselves from the rest of the world
gainst the law Of social life which is
the natural outcome OF the human or
ganism. and also convincingly assuring
us of The genuine sentiment Of friend
illness which animated his action. 1t
was mainly due to this fact that from
the beginning Of our diplomatic rela-
tions we have always reposed unre-
served confidence and reliance on the
broad and enlightened ideas which we
believed the presidents OF the United
States held in their attitude toward
japan In this belief we. have been al
ways justified by repeated acts OF JUS
tice and friendliness on the part Of
every American statesman who has
r.7f - ia q ad
ton. but 7 think I need not enumerate
them. as they must be well known to
the citizens OF san Francisco and the
officers Of the American navy, who gen
orally take interest in far eastern
affairs
must not. however. fail to reiterate
even before them our sense Of graft
tude and appreciation Of the great serv-
Ices rendered by President Roosevelt
in terminating our great far eastern
struggle. because ] am sure no one
knows better than ] do how difficult
the task was and what pains were
taken in bringing together the two
warning nations to negotiate peace, and
T am firmly convinced that so great
and difficult q task could not be
achieved without such indomitable
strength of character. without such in
flexible honesty Of purpose and without
such unquestioned ndelity to high
ideals rs President Roosevelt IS pos
sessed Of and we believe that in that
noble action he worthily represented
the desire and sentiment OF the Ameri-
can people at large.
We have been, therefore, looking for
an opportunity TO give hearty express
sion 10 our deep gratitude and high
admiration OF this great people and
took the first chance to extend our
cordial Invitation TO the Atlantic fleet
TO visit our shores during its cruise on
the Pacific in order TO prove how sin
cere and true is our cherished sentI-l
ment toward you. 1 am now most
highly gratified that our desire TO well
come your magnificent fleet is readily
appreciated. I assure you that the ap-
proaching visit Of your feet to Japan
viii result in cementing the ties of
mutual sympathy and common interest
between the two nations, and that the
progress OF civilization and the devel-
opment Of commerce along the far east
ern borders of the Pacific Will be there
by immensely facilitated. and that the
time viii come when we may look back
10 the past and say 10 each other that
Evans cruise opened a new era for the
promotion Of the feeling OF fraternity
between the American and far eastern
peoples, as did Perrys expedition for
the establishment Of cordial friendship
between our two countries