Omaha daily bee., 1909-09-20
CREETS JAPS
Reception to Party from Orient at
Club on Lake Minnetonka.
WELCOMED TO UNITED STATES
Executive IL Met with Cries of Banzai
by the Commercial Men from
the Domain of the
Mikado.

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 19-President
Taft today met the fifty members of the
Japanese commercial commission to the
United States. He bade them a hearty
welcome TO the country assured them
OF the lasting friendship of the American
people, paid tribute to their qualities
Of industry and patriotism and in con-
clusion drank a toast to the emperor Of
Japan as 1.-The warm and sincere friend
Of America" The meeting of the Japan
ese was at luncheon at the La Fayette
club on the shores of beautiful Lake
Minnetonka, twenty miles out of the city,
rendered by the Commercial club of Min
ncapolis
President Taft and his party left here
for Des Moines. Ia, over the Chicago &
Great Western railroad at p. m.
President Taft secuted the idea that
there had ever been the slightest danger
of trouble between Japan and America.
He paid high compliment to the military
valor of Japan when the country was
Fighting in defense Of it's rights and the
maintepance of its prestige on the field OF
battle"
But" he declared, Japan today is
fighting for victories of peace and we all
hope it will succeed. We are not going to
yield ourselves in that contest, however,
,- Bansais for Taft.
President Taft's address. which through
out was filled with expressions of the
warmest admiration for the Japanese en-
peror and the Japanese people, followed
speech by Baron Shibusawa, a prom
inent banker of Toxic and chairman Of
the visiting commission, in which, speak
Ing in his native tongue, he referred to
President Taft GAS one of the foremost
men of the age and a warm and true
friend of Japan"
He proposed the health of the presi-
dent and led his fellow countrymen in
their resounding "banzais." Mr. Taft pro-
posed the health of the emperor with a
'banZai," which was caught up and re-
echoed by the American guests.
Preceding the luncheon, the president
was introduced to each member OF the
Japanese commission and his hearty
words of greeting, his quick recollection
of having met many of the visitors dur
ing his several visits to Japan and of
little incidents in which they had had a
part. seemed completely to captivate them
and each man as he passed appeared
reluctant to release the presidents hand
or to curtail the informal exchange of
compliments.
Mr., Taft also received the women of
the party. declaring 10 Baroness shibu-
sawa that America wanted to see more
OF the women of Japan and to encourage
their coming to this country with the
men 1T isn't fair" said the president,
that japan should keep back the most
charming of its creatures" ..
Word of Greeting for All.
To Baron Shibusawa, the president said
he was sorry he could not receive him at
the White House at Washington. but a
prettier place than this" added Mr.. Taft.
pointing out over the deep blue waters
OF the lake, could hardly be found out
side Of Japan"
Il think this far more beautiful, j"
quickly responded the baron.
Baron kanda, a graduate of Amherst.
greeted the president as a fellow member
Of the Psi Epsilon fraternity.
Well, we'll" said the president. Eve
Will shake hands again, but wen Just
conceal our grip"
To DIR. T. Kumsgae, physician OF the
imperial university at Toxic, President
Taft said
eve have profound admiration for the
physicians of Japan. They taught us the
way to stamp out the plague. In Manila
they taught us to label the rats and by
Following them TO their holes. TO wipe out
the sources of infection We owe them
lasting debt OF gratitude"
Yale Men I'm Evidence.
kojiro Matsukata, president of the Kobe
Chamber OF Commerce and a ship builder.
was but one OF what the president re-
marked as being "A gratifying sprinkIing
OF Yale men all along the line" He re-
ceived a most cordial welcome, the presl-
dent having met him and his father. one
OF the elder statesmen of Japan, in their
native country.
I bring from my father his humble. but
sincere good wishes" said Mr.. Matsukata
who later in response to the president
said he graduated from Yale in IS
You ought to know Heffennger then Z"
said Mr. Taft
"oh. yes sir remember him, he played
such foot ball"
Come here FHef.' called the president
and the big Yale guard. towering above
the throng on the clubhouse porch, came
forward warmly TO greet his old class
mate.
With Mr.. otanI graybearded and distin-
h CContinued 90 ssoond PSEAl