Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-09-23
Toasts Emperor as THE Warm
and Sincere Friend of
America"
PRAISES MILITARY YALOR
Island Empire is Fighting for VIC
tories Of Peace and We All Hope
she VIII succecd"-Not Co
ing to Yield Commercial
Suprc mncy, However.

| Minneapolis. Sept. 1o--Prosident Taft
to-day met the 50 members of the Jap
anese commercial mission to the United
states babe them n hearty welcome to
the country assured them of the last
Ing friendship Of the American people.
paid n tribute to their qualities of in
dustry and patriotism and in conclusion
| drank a toast to the emperor OF Japan
as THE warm and sincere friend of
America" amid great enthusiasm among
both his japanese and American hear
crs.
The meeting with the Japanese was
at n luncheon at the Lafayette club
on Lake Minnctonka rendered by the
commercial club of Minneapolis.
President Taft secuted the idea that
there had ever been the slightest dan
ger of trouble between Japan and
America. lie paid high compliment TO
the military vaor of Japan when the
county was fighting in defense OF her
rights and the maintenance Of her pres
tgc on rho field OF battle.
But" he declared, Japan to-day Is
fighting for victories OF peace and We
all hopc she will succeed We are not
going to Yield ourselves III that contest,
however, II We can help it,"
"TRu'E FRIEND OF JAPAN"
President Taft's address followed n
spo ech by Baron Shibusawa who re-
ferred TO the President as zone of the
foremost men Of tho age and warm
and true friend Of Japan"
He proposed the health OF the Pres
ident ard led his fellow countrymen
IN three resounding "banzais." Mr..
Taft proposed the health of the En-
peror with "banzai" which was
caught up and re-echoed by the
American guests
Preceding the luncheon the Presi-
dent was introduced to each member
OF the Japanese commission. many OF
whom he had met during his severai
visits to Japan.
Mr.. Taft also received the ladies OF
the party. declaring to Baroness Shib~
usawa that America wanted to see
more Of the ladies of Japan and to
encourage their coming to this coun-
try with the men.
ct isn't fair" said the President.
that Japan should keep back the
most charming of her creatures
BARON'S GRACEFUL SPEECH.
Baron shibusava in the course OF his
| address said:
This is one of the proudest moments
| Of my life 1t has just been our good
fortune to be introduced to your President
and he has been so kind and so gracious
that we all individually feel honored and
thank him from the bottom Of our hearts
I'VE heg also to offer our sincere
thanks to you. our distinguished hosts
the members OF the Chamber Of Commerce
Of Minneapolis for your magnificent
hospitality and for the valued opportunit!
you have so kindly afforded us OF meet
| ing your chef magistrate for whom We
, Japanese entertain the deepest respect q:
one OF the foremost men Of the age ant
more especially a warm and true OF
| Japan.
I'VE do not come in any offca
! capacity. We may however. safely claim
that In broad sense We come I'M
accredited ENJOYS of peace sent by The
United States.
May the strong ties of friendship
. that now so happily bind together the
two nations grow still stronger as
years roll on. and may their friend
spcct and common regard for justice
, and peace for the good of humanity
: at large"
PRESIDENT WARNS" MERCHANTS
The President;
Il say only what is In the heart OF
, every one who hears me that we are
all delighted to welcome this infuen-
tial. highly intelligent and most
charming company Of our Japanese
friends warn the American mer-
chant and the American manufacturer
that what they show to these gentle
men these gentlemen will we'll avail
themselves OF In this friendly contro-
versy and friendly commercial con-
test between the two nations, l hope
they will take back all tho lessons
possible and I hope II will make Jap
, an. If possible. more prosperous and
more energetic and widen her COM
, mercial ana manufacturing interests
81 am not one of those who believe
that IT is wise to keep back the pro-
gress OF your neiGhbors in order that
vour own progress may be great. We
have much to learn from the Japanese
and they have much TO learn from us,
> hut as we improve both will learn les
A sons. and ms We grow to be greater In
3 commerce and in business, we shall
grow to be greater customers each OF
the other
NEVER WAS DANGER OF WAR.
! "Wo are n curious people. We have to
run our newspapers, we have to nave
2 at times emotions stirred in order that
3 tho newspapers shall have circulation
r and we. cannot always do that with
a .t.,ement of the facts. Therefore. we
+: bsvs % draw on our imaginaticns and
,herefore We have to mako that "a
annear which In fact is not true Just
IN ordcr that there shall be a cirrula-
. lion Of intelligence among people.
Now In times past wo have been
a stirred up. that IL some have been
those of as who knew the facts were
never sd stirred up by announcements
Of trouble between Japan and Amer
,co believe that even the news
napers have now given up any such
: idea Those of us who were in Japan
who knew what her aims and ambitions
were, who came into contact with al
of her great men and talked with
them personally had no trouble on
that score.
Japan Is engaged in contest, Il
engaged in struggle, l had almost
said. but won't say 1t, because II Is
not correct expression-ln wal
and preparing herself for It, That