Palestine daily herald. [volume] (Palestine, Tex.) 1902-1949, 1908-10-16
JAPAN READY FOR FLEET
Especial Efforts Made to Do Honor
to the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Are Very Beautiful.
Special to the Herald.

Special to the Herald.
Yokohama, Oct. l6.-Sixteen Japa-
nese battleships, stern and forbiddlng,
are at anchor off his harbor, surround
ed by a fleet of steamers, yachts and
other craft awaiting the sighting of
the American fleet of battleships un-
der the command of Admiral Sperry,
coming to Japan in response to an in
yitation extended by the Japanese
government. The visit of the Ameri-
can fleet promises to be great
event of historical signifance and the
Japanese, in preparing for the visit
ors, have duly recognized the impor-
lance of the event. For weeks there
has been great excitement in official
and social circles over the prospect of
the visit and the most elaborate prep
arations have been made for the re-
ception and entertainment of the
nations guests. The Japanese are
great sticklers for etiquette and hos
pitable to fault 1t was to be ex-
pected that they would not let this op-
portunity pass without making espec-
ial efforts to do honor to the Ameri-
cans, whom they have always consid-
cred their friends, Notwithstanding
the local anti-Japanese agitation in
San Francisco and elsewhere in the
West.
Thoroughness is one of the most
striking characteristics of the Japa-
nese and never have they given a
better illustration of that fact than in
the weeks just passed, when they
made and completed arrangements
for the reception and entertainment
of the American fleet. Every minute
detail has been properly arranged and
it may be expected that the program
prepared for the occasion will be car
ried out with the same attention to
details which has characterized the
work of the Japanese army during the
late war in Manchuria.
The sighting of the American fleet
will be the signal for the beginning
of the ceremonies of the reception.
According to the program the Japa-
nese battleships will weigh anchor and
steam out to meet the American fleet,
as soon as the latter is in sight. Each
one of the battleships has been as
signed to escort to harbor one of the,
visiting American warships. To-
gether they will steam into the har-
Dor, after having exchanged salutes
with the visitors. An enormous fleet
of steamers and other craft, loaded
with Japanese officials and mere
sightseers, will meet the battleShips
and give them an enthusiastic well
come.
The program for the week of the
American fleets visit is so extensive
and elaborate that there will not be
minutes rest for the American Off
CeIS dllu lleH lIOll llle llOlllCIlI vi
their arrival in Yokohoma to their de-
parture a week or so hence. 1t has
been arranged that Yokohama and
Toxic shall divide the honor of enter
tanning the visitors. The Americans
will spend two days in Yokohama be-
fore the scene of hospitality is chang
ed to Toxic, where the most extensive
preparations for the occasion have
been made From Toxic the visitors
will return to Yokohama, where they
will enjoy a few more days of Japa-
nese hospitality before they sail for
their home country.
Every house in this city will exhibit
during the visit of the Americans, by
day as well as by night lanterns bear