The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1908-10-23
MIKADO KONORS
NAVY OFFICERS
AbandOns Old Customs 10 SNOW
Nations Friendship.
WAS A BRILLIANT FUNCTION

Emperor Entertalns onieers Of Our
sattlsshlp Fleet at Luncheon sno
Shows Them Honors Very Few
japanese Have Received - Sends
Friendly Answer to President Roose.
vslt In Answer to HE Mssssos-Ali
Shook Hands With the Empress at
the Palace.
Toxic. Oct 21-An court precedents
we're broken BY the mikadO In his re-
oeption 70 the admirals and other high
officers OF the American battlsship
feet It was the most brilliant func
ton that the palace has ever known.
The emperor greeted each guest cor
daily. and the empress shook hands
with all The American officers. IN
gold.braided full dress. and the mag
nihoent apparel Of the functionariss
in attendance upon the court made a
glittering and imposing picture.
The procession to the palace was
through the streets lined with cheer
ing multitudes. Thousands OF children
we're massed near the palace. Only a
select few japanese have ever visited
these grounds, and few indeed have
had an audience with the emperor.
Arriving at the palace. the visitors
were ushered into the great audience
hall where the admirals were intro
duced by the American ambassador.
Thomas j. O'Brien. who. with Admiral
sperry. was invited to enter the EN-
peror's room. whore a message from
President Roosevelt was read.
Mr.. Rooseyelts message was at once
accepted as the highest Official IN
dorsement of the peaceful mission and
friendly spirit with which the feet
left the Atlantic and Is now visiting
Japan. hence the unusual tone OF the
emperors reply was understood as in
dicating that the entente between
America and Japan, although unwrit
ten. was most sincere and real. The
emperor said.
Admiral Sperry, II affords me q
special pleasure 10 welcome your party
as the representatives OF the Amerl-
can navy. and 10 receive from your
respected president his friendly mes
sage. II is my request that You assure
the president that most sincerely ap.
preciate and most cordially recipro
cate his sentiments Of friendship and
good Will
1T Is 10 me a source OF profound
satisfaction that the most cordial re
latlons exist between Japan and the
United States, and my thanks are due
the president for affording my sub
jects. by your visit. the opportunity 10
give new proof Of their sincere attach.
ment for your countrymen.
4 also wish you to convey TO the
president this message: The historic
relations. the good understanding and
the genuine friendship OF the United
States count as a valued heritage OF
my reign. and II shall be in the N.
ture. as Il has been in the past my
constant aim and desire 10 weld ties OF
amity, uniting the two countries IN
indlssoluble bonds Of good nelghbor
hood and perfect accord.
Il trust the same success that has
30 far attended your voyage may still
be with you 10 the end
After this speech the emperor and
Admiral sperry re-entered the al.
disnce hall. the emperor standing At
one end with Rear Admiral Sperry on
his left and an Interpreter on the
right. The feet officers we're then pre-
sentsd. The whole scene was repeated
in another magnificent room. where
the empress stood aud received the
visitors.
The presentation was followed by an
elaborate luncheon, At which forty
five persons 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 accord
ing 20 rank, with the japanese and
American officers intermixed. That the
emperor should take part IN such a
banquet Is unprecedented.