The Daily Missoulian., 1909-04-26
TWO CRUISERS OF TRAINING
SQUADRON SAIL INTO PORT
OF SAN PEDRO.
ARE ON PEACEFUL VISIT
Ships Soya and Aso, Comprising Mi
kado's Training Squadron Drop An
chor in Harbor Of California Town
Thousands Of Japanese Flock to
to Welcome the Visitors.

Los Angeles, April 25.-For the
first time in 10 years, warships of
Japan entered Pacific coast port of
the United States, when the cruisers
Soya and Aso, comprising the Jap
anese training squadron commanded
by Rear Admiral Ijichi, steamed into
port at noon today. Not since the
training ships entered the bay of San
Francisco a half score of years ago
have vessels flying the flag of the
rising sun been sighted on the west
ern shores Of this country.
The Aso and Soya anchored at San
Pedro, the harbor of Los Angeles, on
peaceful visit of some weeks dura-
ton, which will take them to all the
principal ports of the Pacific coast.
The two ships comprising Admiral
Ijichi's squadron are prizes of the
Russo Japanese war. The Aso is the
former Russian cruiser Bayan, found
in the harbor of Port Arthur after
General Stoessel surrendered that
fortress into the hands of victorious
Japanese. The Soya was formerly the
cruiser Variag which was caught in
the harbor of .Chemulpo, Korea, just
before the breaking out Of the war
and sunk by the Japanese fleet. Today
these craft are comparatively modern
Warships, carrying heavy batteries
and equipped with high-speed engines.
Each has single forward and after
turret; a broadside battery of eight
6-inch guns and 16 of 3-inch calibre;
carry crews Of 800 men each, inc1ud-
ing 81 officers and 1856 cadets Of the
Japanese navy.
Aso Is Flagship.
The Aso is the flagship Of Admiral
Ijichi He is veteran Of the war with
Russia, and commanded the battle
ship Mikasa, the flagship Of Admiral
Togo, which participated in all the
memorable battles of that war and on
which Admiral Rojestvensky was
taken prisoner Of war after his de-
feat In the sea of Japan. Admiral
Ijichi is now grizzled veteran of so
years. He has made one other visit
to the United States, when in 1880
he visited San Francisco as cadet
on a Japanese corvette.
I'VE shall visit Los Angeles, San
Francisco, Seattle and Victoria and
possibly other ports" said the ad-
miral. I'VE must return to Japan by
August 1, and our stay on the shores
Of the United States will be brief
Personally, l can only express my
pleasure at the increased evidence of
friendliness between the United States
and my country. I have no doubt
that our visit here will be one of last
ing pleasant remembrance for us. We
Of Japan have great admiration for
America and I am glad of this oppor-
tunity to return here for even so short
a stay"
Regular Course.
The admiral was not prepared to
make any formal statement regarding
the occasion Of the visit of his ships,
further than that it was a part of
their regular course.
Although San Pedro was the first
American port touched since the squa-
dron left Hilo Hawai-, some 10 days
ago, neither the federal nor state gov
ernment made any especial demon
stration of welcome That is reserved
Tor San Francisco, when the ships
arrive there about May 1, when the
Pacific fleet and federal and state Of
ficials will extend a more elaborate
greeting.
The government was represented
today by c.. w. Pendleton, collector of
the port Of San Pedro, who was ac-
companied by officials from the cities
of Los Angeles and San Pedro. Con-
sui General Makuzi Naugi of San
Francisco was member of the party |
that boarded the Aso shortly after
she came to anchor.
Welcome Vessels.
A feature of the arrival of the |
squadron was it's reception by repre-
sentatives Of the 10000 Japanese who |
live in Southern California Hundreds |
of japanese journeyed to San Pedro |
and four steamers were chartered by |
them and, later, with passengers and |
the flags of the United States and |
Japan flying fore and aft, steamed to |
welcome the war vessels. A commit |
tee boarded the Aso and presented to |
Admiral Ijichi a printed address of |
welcome and congratulations upon his |
arrival. Gifts of hundreds Of boxes of |
oranges, strawberries and other fruits |
were presented to the officers and
men.
AJlI, Anr oEct~N