Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-20
T0ASTS THE EMPEROR
Declares There Was Never Cause to
Fear War.
FRIENDLY RIVALRY FOR TRADE
Advises American Manufacturers to
Change Their Ways If They Want
Y q Market in the Orient.

fifty members of the Japanese CONNER
cial mission to the United States babe
them a hearty welcome to the country
assured them of the lasting friendship of
the American people. paid a tribute to
their qualities of industry and patriot
ism 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 hearers.
The meeting with the Japanese was at
a luncheon at the Lafayette Club, on the
shores of Lake Minnetonka, twenty miles
out of the city, rendered by the Com
mercial Club of Minneapolis.
President Taft's address. which
throughout was hiied with expressions OF
the 'warmest admiration for the Japanese
emperor and the Japanese people, fol-
lowed a speech by Baron Shibusawa, a
banker of Toxic and chairman of the
visiting commission, in which speaking
In his native tongue, he referred to Pres
ident Taft as lone 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
three resounding "banzais." Mr.. Taft
proposed the health of the emperor with
a banzai" which was caught up and re-
SSAoO0 ny luc aIuSTlCdl guests.
ENJOYS Of Peace.
Baron Shibusawa, in the course of his
address. said:
I'VE 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 a broad sense
We come as unaccredited ENJOYS 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 as in a way quite unique in our
history He graciously invited us to
banquet at one of his palaces, an honor
never before given to any private indi-
vldualS, however distinguished, going
abroad in an unofficial capacity. On that
memorable occasion the emperor was
pleased to express to us. through the
minister of his household. his high ap-
us to understand that the success of our
mission was a matter of deep concern to
him.
Scarcely less deep was the interest
manifested In our trip by the people at
large. From ministers of state down to
the man in the street. the whole nation
united In giving us send-off such as is
given only to the men going to the front
In defense of home and country. From
this You can easily infer how strong and
universal in the enthusiasm excited in
Japan by our present visit to your
country
The Presidents Response.
President Taft said in response:
Il say only what is in the heart Of
every one who hears me, that we are all
delighted to welcome this influential,
highly intelligent and most charming
company Of our japanese friends. They
have in this company fifty men, business
men OF acute intellects, men Of far-seeing
commercial experience and l warn the
American merchant and the American
manufacturer that what they show to
these gentlemen, these gentlemen will
we'll avail themselves of in this friendly
controversy and friendly commercial con-
test between the two nations.
They are here on a pleasure trip, but
they belong to a thorough nation and
they will carry back with them all the
useful knowledge that possibly could be
gained on such visit. l do not regret
that. I hope they will take back all the
lessons possible. and hope it will make
japan, II possible, more prosperous and
| more energetic, and widen her commercial
and manufacturing interests.
Idea Of Trouble Given Up.
Now. in times past we have been
| stirred up. that is. some have been-those
| of us who knew the facts were never so
SlAAASo 0p-Oy announcements OF trouble
| between Japan and America 1 believe
| that even the newspapers have now given
up any such idea. Those of us who were in
Japan, who knew what her aims and am
bitions' were, who came in contact with
all OF her great men and talked with
them personally, had no trouble on that
score.
Japan is engaged in a contest-en-
gagged in struggle, I had almost said,
but won't say it. because it is not
| correct impression-in a war and pre-
pairing herself for it, That struggle and
| that contest is in the development of her
| resources and the making Of her people
great successful and commercial peo-
pie. She has proved her ability on the
field of battle. She has shown what can
be done by thoroughness of preparation
and courage and careful. deliberate steps
In the direction of her ambition in the
defense of her rights and of the mainte-
nance Of her prestige on the field Of
battle.
Advice to Americans.
But she is not engaged in that now.