The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1909-04-09

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features of life on a japanese cruiser
The following is the toast to Admiral
Ijiehi which was proposed by Repre-,
sentative Coney:
Gentlemen: / wish to propose a
toast which / am sure voices the hearty
sentiment of every representative of
Hawaii gathered here and of every
thinking citizen of the nation of whie h
we are the Pacific outpost. Long before
the United States of America gathered
IN this string of pearls in the Western
Seas to add them to her jewels of States
and Territories, the little Kingdom of
Hawaii and the great Empire of Japan
were as little and a big brother to
each other. Great men of Japan have
rested IN this mid-Pacific Paradise en-
route around the world, adding to the
respect the tiny monarchy bore the big
Empire of the Rising Sun and assisting
to full growth that feeling of friendship
and brotherhood which should always
prevail. And now that we are part
of the United States-Japan' S good
friend across the sea-we feel doubly
the honor in thus being able to well
come to Americas newest Territory so
famous a representative of Japan: a
man, who, in that terrible war with
Russia, was the right hand of the great
Togo himself, and whose visit to this
port is welcomed by Americans and
japanese alike with enthusiasm, and
whose fortunate journeyings and safe
return home when the cruise Of his
squadron is over, is earnestly wished for
by his friends in Hawaii and elsewhere.
Gentlemen, / propose we drink to
the health and long life of Admiral
Iiichi.''
The toast was drunk standing, there
being many high officials present at the
time.
After being presented to Admiral
Iiichi. the guests were shown to a room
were served. consisting Of japanese
dishes and drinks. The most Of those
present were more than interested in
the athletic games among the sailors
and midshipmen, which were played on
the wharf. Unique these undoubtedly
were and of decidedly strenuous ma
ture, though there was no rough feat |
ure to any Of them.
Governor and Mrs. Frear, accom-
panied by other Territorial officials and
their wives, arrived early at the recep- |
ton and paid their respects to the COM
mander of the squadron. Captain G. 2. |
Rees. U. S. n, commandant of the local |
naval station, as well as many other |
Navy and Army people called and were
Colonel Schuyler, in com
mand of the Fifth Cavalry at Leilehua, !
was, unfortunately, not able to come,
being detained at his post. He regret
led very much that he could not be !,
present. >
On board the cruiser Soya there
we're many Japanese who had come in I
rom the country districts to be in at /
tendance at the function. The leading /
Japanese residing in this city were also
present, and all took an intense interest
N the games and athletic contests
which were held on the open wharf.
These also attracted good deal Of the
attention of the visitors on the Aso, Ito
whom jiuiitsu, fencing, and sword dis /
day were something new.
A wrestling contest was first on The t
program, and this was gone through
With the usual interesting features at
ending Next came fencing contests,
ind these drew the attention of ALL for
hey were almost wonderful in the ex-
libition of skill and strength that was
shown. The iiuiitsu fights, battles of
.leyerness and muscle, were on a high /
order, tending to show, as they did, how
agile the japanese athlete |
must be. The games were contested in
5eams, fresh man taking the place Of
ais fallen comrade after each clash.
japanese sword display came next,
md. although the better part of this t
show was incomprehensible to many of
he onlookers on account of their not |
the japanese language, |
It was very pretty. The officer IN
charge of the program announced after
he sword display that the next event
would serve to show how the japanese
Fought in the olden days, in the time
If the ancient samurai.
Twenty husky fencers, ten on side,
we're then lined up about fifty feet
anart. At given signal they rushed
zach other, and there ensued such a
.errifc whacking of heads and bodies
With the foils that many ladies on the
aso were afraid lest there should be
1loodshed. The men were well protect
Il, however, with headgear and body
guards, and beyond few hard bumps
we're not injured in the slightest. They
we're given hearty round of applause
when the bugle blew and their encoun
.er was over.
Followinp the fiohtino of the mid