The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-20
Banzai Is Shouted BJ the President At Banquet Given
 h Minneapolis
GOOD FEELING TOWARD
 JAPAN IS EXPRESSED
President Taft Makes Fine Impres- sion Upon the Japanese Visitors, Some of Whom He Had Met
 In Japan.

Minneapolis, September 19.-Presi- dent Taft today met the 50 members of the Japanese commercial commits sion to the United States, bade them hearty welcome to the country. as- sured them of the lasting friendship of the American people. paid tribute to their qualities of industry and pat riotism, and in conclusion drank a toast to the Emperor of Japan, as ''the warm and sincere friend of Amer ica," amid great enthusiasm of both his Japanese and American hearers. The President and his party left for Des Moines Ia over the Chicago and Great Western road at p. m.
 The meeting with the Japanese was at luncheon at the Lafayette club on the shores of beautiful Lake Min netonka, 20 miles out of the city. ten dered by the Commercial club of Min neapols
 President Taft secuted the idea that there had ever been the slightest dan ger of trouble between Japan and America. He paid a high compliment to the military valor of Japan when the country was lighting in defense of her rights and the maintenance of her prestige on the field of battle."
 But" he declared. Japan today is fighting for victories of peace and we all hope she will succeed. We are not going to yield our interest in that con test, however, if we can help it." i Admiration For Japan. { President Taft's address, which throughout was filled with expressions of the wormest admiration for the Japanese Emperor and the Japanese people, followed a speech by Baron Shibusawa, prominent banker of Tokio, and chairman of the visiting commission. in which. speaking in his native tongue, he referred to Pres dent Taft as "one of the foremost men of the age and a warm and true friend of Japan"
 He proposed the health of the Pres ident and led his fellow countrymen in three resoundlng "banzais" MT. Taft proposed the health of the Elm peror with "banzar which was caught up and re-echoed by the American guests
 Preceding the luncheon, the Presi- dent was introduced 10 each member of the Japanese commissioners and his hearty word of greeting his quick recollection of having met many of the visitors during his several visits to Japan, and little incidents in which ey had a part. seemed to captivate them. Mir Taft also received the ladies of the party, declaring to Baroness Shbusawa that America wanted to see more of the ladies of Japan, and to encourage their coming to this country with the men.
 Tt isn't fair said the President. that Japan should keep back the most charming of her creatures"
 Talk With Japs. When MT. Iwamoto, a broker of the Osaka stock exchange, was introduced the President expressed great interest in the methods of the market and laughingly remarked:
 T suppose you have bulls and bears?"
 "Oh, yes, sir" replied the broker.
 And the lambs, too?"
 The broker bowed low, gave play full affirmative nod of the head And
  passed on.
 Koj.ro Matsukata. president of the Kobe chamber of commerce, and shipbuilder, was but one of what the President re- marked as being "a gratifying sprinkling of Yale men all along the line.''
 Mr. Matsukata, in response to a ques- ton from the President, said he gradu- ated from Yale in 'SS.
 You ought to know Heffelfnger, then." said MT. Taft
 "oh. yes sir. I remember him; he played such football"
 Come here, lief" called the Presi- dent, and the big Yale guard. towering above the throng on the clubhouse porch, came forward to greet his old classmate.
 Baron Shibusawa in the course of his address, said:
 No Official Message.
 we do not come in any official capac- ity, and so we are not charged with any official message to you. We may, how ever safely claim that in broad sense we come as unaccredited envoys of peace sent by the people of Japan to the people of the United States.
 ''On the eve of our departure on the present mission his majesty the Emperor honored us In way quite unique in our history He gracipusly invited us to banquet at one of his palaces, an. honor never before given to any private indi- viduals, however distinguished. going abroad without any official capacity. On that memorable occasion the Emperor was pleased to express to us through tha minister of his household his approval of our visit to America, and gave us to un- derstand that the success of our mission was matter of deep concern to him. Scarcely less deep was the interest mani fested in our trip by the people at large From ministers of state down to the very man in the street the whole nation united