The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1908-10-16
JAPAN READY TO
WELCOME THE FLEET
Sixteen Japanese Battle
ships Ready to Receive
American Fleet.
EVERY DETAIL Is ARRANGED
Program Is So Extensive and Elab-
crate and There Won't Be a
Moments Rest.

Yokohama, October 16.-Sixteen jan
anese battleships, stern and forbidding,
are at anchor of this harbor, sur
rounded by a fleet of steamers, yachts
and other craft awaiting the sighting
of the American fleet of battleships I'M
der the command of Admiral Evans,
coming to Japan in response to an in
gitation extended by the Japanese gov
eminent The visit of the American
fleet promises to be a great event of
historical significance and the Japanese,
in preparing for the visitors, have duly
recognized the Importance of the event.
For weeks there has been great ex-
element in official and social circles
over the prospect of the visit and the
most elaborate preparations have been
made for the reception and entertain
ment of the nations guests. The Jap
anese are great sticklers for etiquette
and hospitable to a fault 1t was to
be expected that they would not let
this opportunity pass withou making
| especial efforts to do honor to the
| Americans, whom they have always
considered their friends, notwithstand-
| ing the local anti-Japanese agitation
| in San Francisco and elsewhere in the
west.
| Thoroughness is one of the most
| striking characteristics of the japanese
and never have they given a better IL
lustration of that fact that in the weeks
| just passed, when they made and COM
pleted Heterogeneous for the reeep-
tion and entertainment of the American
fleet. Every minute detail has been
| properly arranged and it may be ex-
pected that the program prepared for
the occasion will be carried out with
the same attention to details which has
characterized the work of the Japanese
army during the late war in Man
churia.
When the Fleet Comes Into Sight.
The sighting of the American feet
will be the signal for the beginning
Of the ceremonies of the reception.
According to the program the Japanese
battleships will weigh anchor and
steam out to meet the American feet,
as soon as the latter is in sight. Each
one of the battleships has been as
signed to escort to the harbor one of
| the visiting American warships. To-
| gether they will steam into the harbor,
after having exchanged salutes, with
the visitors. An enormous feet OF
steamers and other craft, loaded with
Japanese officials and mere sightseers,
will meet the battleships and give
them an enthusiastic welcome.
The program for the week of the
American fleets visit is so extensive
and elaborate that there will not be a
minutes rest for the American off,
GERS and men from the moment of their
arrival in Yokohama to their departure
a week or SO hence. It has been ar
ranged that Yokohama and Toxic shall
divide the honor of entertaining the
visitors. The Americans will spend two
days in Yokohama before the scene
of hospitality is changed to Toxic
where the most extensive preparations
for the occasion have been made From
Toxic the visitors will so to Yokohama
where they will enjoy few more days
of Japanese hospitality before they sal
for their home country.
VIII Exhibit the Stars and Stripes.
Every house in this city will exhibit
day as well as by night, lanterns bear
: ing the American flag. The japanese
are famous for their skill In artistic
decorating and on this occasion they
have surpassed themselves in their eff.
forts to do honor to the guests of the
nation. The program of reception and
entertainment provides both for the
officers and men of the American feet
The officers will be entertained on the
day of their arrival at dinner giveT