Milford chronicle., 1908-10-23
MIKADO HONORS
NAVY OFFICERS
AbandOns Old Customs IL OnsS
Nations Friendship.
WAS 4 BRILLIANT FUNCTION

Emperor EntsrtaIns offissrs Of Our
BattlsshlP Fleet at Luncheon and
Shows Them Henors Very Few
japanese Have Received - Sends
Friendly Answer to President Roose-
Welt In Answer 70 Hls Msssags-All
shook Hands With she Empress at
the Palace.
Toxic. Oct 21.-All court preeedents
we're broken by the mikado in his re-
eeption to the admirsls and other high
ohcers OF the American battleship
Asst. It was the most brilliant func-
tion that the palace has ever known.
The emperor greeted each guest cor
daily, and the empress shook hands
with all The American o1icers, in
gold braided full dress, and the mag
nihcent apparel Of the functionaries
in attendance upon the court made a
glittering and imposing picture.
The procession to the palace was
through the streets lined with cheer
ing multltudes. Thousands Of children
were massed near the palace. Only
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 /
J. O'Brien. who, with Admiral |
Sperry, was invited to enter the EN-
peroT's room. where a message from /
President Roosevelt was read.
Mr. Roosevelt's message was at once
accepted as the highest official in
iorsement 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
reply was understood as in
Heating that the entente between
en-, was most sincere and real. The
Emperor said:
Admiral Sperry It affords me a
pecial pleasure to welcome your party
IS the representatives of the Ameri-
an navy, and to receive from your
espected president his friendly mes
age It is my request that you assure
he president that most sincerely ap-
reciate and most cordially recipro-
ate his sentiments of friendship and
ood will.
1T is to me a source OF profound
abstraction that the most cordial re-
atoms exist between Japan and the
Tnited States. and my thanks are due
he president for affording my sub
scts by your visit. the opportunity to
i've new proof Of their sincere attach
lent for your countrymen.
81 also wish you to convey to the
resident this message: The historic
,lations, the good understanding and
Ie genuine friendship OF the United
-ates count as a valued heritage o:
y reign, and it shall be in the fu
re- as it has been in the past, ms
instant aim and desire to weld ties OF I,
nifty. uniting the two countries in :
dissoluble bonds OF good neighbor- i
,od and perfect accord.
81 trust the same success that has .
far attended your voyage may still
with you to the end" :
After this speech the emperor and l
imiral Sperry re-entered the au-
snce hall, the emperor standing a;
e end with Rear Admiral Sperry or y
! left and an interpreter on the L
sht. The feet ohicers were then pre- u
nted. The whole scene was repeated "
another magnificent room. where
? empress stood and received the >
iitOrs
The presentation was followed by an Il
.borate luncheon, at which forty II
e persons were present, the emperor =
,upying a position at the center of o.
} table. with Rear Admiral Sperry
ting opposite him, the officers on
h sides being graded down accord CT
to rank, with the Japanese and
lerican officers intermixed That the Al
peror should take part in such g an
iquet is unprecedented. cl'