The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-21
AMERICANS ARE IGNORED Fleet Officers Received
 by Mikado. MESSAGE FROM ROOSEVELT The Emperor Replies in a Most Friendly Manner. The Ceremony at the Imperial Palace wAs One of the Most Brilliant
 Features of the Weeks
 Session.

dience Rear Admiral Chas. S. Sperry, commander in chief of the American battleship fleet, the three rear admir- als commanding divisions, score of captains and the chief of stan.
 The ceremony at the imperial palace shortly before noon was one of the most brilliant features of the weeks session. American officers in full dress and the magnificent apparel of the functionarles in attendance upon the court made a glittering and impos- ing picture.
 Presented by Ambassador oBrien, Rear Admiral sperry delivered to the Emperor a message from President Rooseveit assuring the Mikado of the friendship entertained by the Amerl- san people for Japan. The Emperor replied In the most cordial terms.
 The following is the text of Presi. dent Rooseveit's message to Rear Ad- mirsl Sperry. which was transmitted to the Emperor of Japan:
 "Sperry, Fiagship Connecticut. Yoko-
 hama:
 Convey to his rnaJesty. the Emperor of Japan, my best wishes for his con- tinued good health and happiness and that of all the inhabitants of his realm. Express to his majesty the high grat- ification afforded me and the people of the United States at this opportunity which permits the commander -in chief of the Atlantic fleet in person to pre- sent my appreciation of tine friendship which has existed from the earliest time between the United States and Japan and of the honor to the United States in this invitation to the United States Atlantic fleet to visit the eu1- pire of Japan in It's practice cruise around tie world. You will express 10 his majesty the Emperor, my. earnest wish for the strengthening and con- tinuance. Of the cordial relations which exist and have always existed between the two countries.
 (Signedl Theodore Roosevelt"
 Admiral Sperry's replya which was addressed to the Secretary of the Navy. for the RFaaident. was as follows:
 sPresid sst's telegram read to Elm Rerof at andiencB this n1orninE Reply
 Admiral sperry: It affords me iespecial pleasure to welcome you as tho representative of, the American Navy and to receive through you from your respected President his very friendly message I request you to assure the President that I most sim cereIy appreciate and most cordially reciprocate his sentiments of friend ship and good will. It is source of profound satisfaction to me that the most cordial relations of regard and good correspondence exist between Ja- nan and the United States and my thanks are due to the President for af- fording my subjects by your visit an opportunity to give new proof of their attachment for your countrymer. I also wish you to convey to the Pres' ident this message:
 ' The historic relations of good un- derstanding and genuine friendship with the United States. count as q valued heritage of my reign, and 1t shall be In the future, as 1t mas been in the past, my constant aim ana de- sire to weld the ties of amity uniting the two countries into indissoluble bonds of good neighborhood and per- feet accord. trust that the same a,ccess which has so far attended vour voyage may still be with you to the end ,. r.r.- peror present in person with princes, gave luncheon to our Ambassador, nag oficers and captains all ministers oi state and the most distinguished 0t- Scars of Japanese army and navy. The nresence of the Emperor was most nnusual and marked honor, the recep- t1or to the officers and men most cor" S,aI generous, successful and satis" factory in every way. ,.s,.., ?,
 (Signed.)
 REOHGM@IO4 tV
 rba nrocession of carriages convey inc the, oficers of the fleet to the pal Ihe .nro,zb tis inc streets lined with Cheering rnultitudes, was most lmpos ing. -,.... ,.ro,,nds onnosite .Ls annroaeh to the palace, what lS Enown as the double, bridge Was reached, the enthusiasm reached its height Thousands of children were again enmassed to impress them wltu w tbs idea that the Americans were apoul tn .t'e av a friendly visit within the Srar,nds of the palace wherein lives the Sreat Emperor. Only a select few Ja- 1anese have ever visited these grounds and few indeed have eVcr been given an audience by the Emperor.
 The children cheered continuously and oresented a beautiful sight in then nicturesaue costumes as they waved flags and bowed low as the carriages messed The cheers continued eVea tione after the carriages disappeared within inc gates Arriving at the pal nce the visitors were ushered Into the great Audience Hall. where the admir- sIs were introduced by the American Amba ssador, Thomas J. O'Brfen. who with Admiral Sperry, was Invited tc enter the Emperor's room. where me message from President Roosevelt which. or course. HAu diiSaNJ pNSH oup mitted to the Emperor was read. This was translated and the Emperor then replied. ., O..
 The Emperor and Admiral Sperfy then re-entered the Audience Hall. the Emperor standing at one end with Rear Admiral Sperry on his left and an in- terpreter on the right. Rear Admiral Emery then approached and presented fine oficers of the squadron. The same nroyram was followed by Rear Admir- als Shroder and Wainright. each ad- miral taking his place by the side of inc ce nmander- in chief of the Ameri- can fleet. The whole scene was repeat ed in another magnificent room where tbe Empress stood and received the ad- mIrais and other officers of the fleet.
 .rhe presentation was followed by an elaborate luncheon at which forty-flve were present. the Emperor occupying a position at the center of the table with Rear Admiral Sperry sitting opposite him. the officers on both sides being graded down according to rank. with