Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-04
UNUSUAL H0NORS PAID
Admiral Harber's Squadron
Welcomed to Hakodate.
REPORT OF CONSUL KING
American and japanese Flags Jih-
orally Displayed.
EVERGREEN ARCHES IN STREET
Refreshment Booths Erected in Va
rious Parts Of the City for
Free Use of the Crews.
REPORT OF CONSUL KING
EVERGREEN ARCHES IN STREET

Japan paid unusual honor to the Unit ed
States on the occasion of the recent visit
of the third Pacific squadron, commanded
by Rear Admiral G. B. Harder. L. S. N.
to the port of Hakodate. In a report to
the State Department on the subject Mr.
King consul at the Japanese city, says:
All Precedents Eclipsed.
THE attentions that have been paid
and the most elaborate program arranged
for the entertainment of our squadron
are without precedent in the history of
this port and eclipse anything and every
thing in the way of a welcome that has
been accorded to American war vessels
in Japan, the only fault. if any. being
that the stay of the squadron was so
short it was impossible to carry out the
whole of the carefully arranged program.
The town was beautifully decorated
every house without exception displa wing
an American and a Japanese flag. Ever
green arches had been erected in the
principal streets and everything possible
had been done to make the visitors feel
AT home and to make their visit most
pleasant one Refreshment booths had
been erected in various parts of the city.
where the crews of the vessels were sup
piled with refreshments free of charge.
a large recreat ton ground suitable for
base ball and foot ball had been specially
prepared for the visitors, and both of
these games were played daily between
teams from the vessels and teams of the
local schools.
THE first Japanese battleship squadron.
under command of Vice Admiral Baron
Goro Ijuin, had been specially detailed to
Hakodate to assist in receiving the Amer
lean ships, and in the evening of the
18TH banquet in honor of the american
officers was given on board the kattori.
Welcome of the Squadron.
Upon the arrival of the squadron on
the morning of the 18th the visiting ships
were met at the entrance to the harbor
by six vessels having on board the
mayor. the town council, the chamber
of commerce and the principal mer
chants and citizens. who afterward visited
the flagship, the Charleston. where they
presented to Admiral Harder address
of welcome. The admiral also received
an address of welcome from the Aikoko
Fujin kai ladies Patriotic Association.
the address of welcome being accompanied
by beautiful floral gift. Floral gifts
were also presented to the officers of the
other vessels by the girl students of the
various schools and colleges of Hakodate.
THE American officers were entertained
at dinner by the governor on the evening
of the 10Th and on the evening of the
Goth by the mayor and the municipal Off
GERS On the latter occasion, from the
landing place to the Kobayashi Tel. where
the dinner was given-a distance of one
mile-the road was lined on both sides
with 10000 school children, each holding
la Japanese and an American flag and
singing our national airs as the admiral
and his officers passed.
Display of Flags.
"The most interesting and significant
fact, which l must mention, is in connec-
ton with the displaying of flags. Some
few of the houses. having but one flag
staff, displayed both the Japanese and the
American flags on the same staff. and in
nearly every case the American flag was
placed on top. In the few exceptions the
police authorities called the attention of
the householders to the fact and instruct
ed them to place the American flag on
top, expla ming that the American vessels
were visitors, and it was courtesy to
do so.
1.-The American admiral and his officers,
and Admrals Ijuin and Yamada, with
their principal officers. were entertained
Ofh hx,fN nS,1lI Il in