Evening star., 1909-06-03
TAFT EULOC|zES UR|U
Pays Compliments to Mikado
and Nation He Rules.
JAPANESE SAILOR HONORED
Guest of Schoolmates at Banquet OF
Annapolis Glass of 81.
TAKAHIRA RESPONDS TO TOAST
Secretary Meyer and Speaker Cannon
Testify to Americas Friend
ship for japan.
TAKAHIRA RESPONDS TO TOAST

Surrounded by the highest officials OF
the government, by prominent oHcers oi
the navy and thirty or more OF 'he
+ ninety-two of his own class or 81 OF the
Naval Academy who graduated al tue
same time Vice Admiral Baron Sotokl-
chi Trim was the guest of honor at
dinner of sixty covers at the Metropolitan
Club last night
II was one of the most pleasurabie
features of the Admirals visit to 1he
United States, it being the only oppof-
tunity he has had to meet so many Oh
the members of his class, VINO haa
come to Washington to honor hun. lhes
came from many parts of the country
one of them being from California
President Comes Late.
President Taft was unable because OF
business engagements. to reach the ban-
uuet room earlier than IL O'Clock, but
he came in time TO respond to the toast
The President
Mr.. Taft was glad of. the chance to do
honor to the gallant japanese sailor anu
to testify by his presence his apprecla-
tion of the feeling which the amer 1 itai ian
nation entertainS toward Japan and hef
people and of his own personal desire
to honor the distinguished visitor OF the
nation which on more than one occasion
had honored him.
American and Japanese ensigns and the
flag of the japanese vice admiral adorned
the walls of the banquet room. Ihe Ia
bles were decorated with American beauty
roses and red and white peonles III inlla-
tion of the Japanese CoorS.
The admiral was given a nearly greet
ing as he entered
Ovngton Weller of Baltimore. the pres
ident of the class of 81. presided, ana
Representative j. ". Weeks OF Massa-
oh,
Among those responding to toasts. in
addition to the President, were the Jap
anese amha ssador, who spoke to The
Mikado'': Admiral Eriu. Secretary of the
Navy Meyer and Speaker Cannon
Mr.. Taft's Speech.
In his address the President said:
II have come here tonight, at the kind
invitation of Mr.. Weeks and the class. to
testify by my presence to the very warm
personal friendship that l feel for the
emperor and the people of Japan. and to
crafty myself by saying that that feeling
of personal friendship is entirely con-
sistent and conforms in every way to my
official duty and attitude the President
of the United States
.'It has been my great good fortune to
know those responsible for the govern
ment of the empire of Japan more IN
timately than l know those responsible
for any other government than my own.
THE wonderful qualities of the en-
peror of that great country as ruler
are shown in his making such marVeIous
selections as he has of the men who
carry on the great work Wnich that
empire has done in the last thirty years
Il think the truth is that | wore out
my welcome in Japan. l was overWhelm-
ed with hospitality every time l went
there. and no expression on my part and
no act of hospitality could be equal to or
satisfy the debt l feel for the cordial re-
ception that on those four visits | re-
ceived from the emperor and all his OFF,
GERS. civil and military and the people
of Japan
at happened that in 1905 we visited
that country at a psychological moment.
when Mr. Roosevelts name was in the
mouth of every one of the japanese
people as interesting himself in bringing
about an end to the great war. and l
venture to say that no person. except
japanese public man. ever received
greater popular welcome than the one
OF which / was a party, but of which
Miss Alice Roosevelt was the chief mem
Der.
Congratulations for Uriu.
ITO Admiral Uriu l convey my sncerest
congratulations on the high position that
he has obtained in the japanese navy, and
I thank him sincerely that in doing so
he has reflected much credit on the Naval
Academy of which he is graduate. l
also wish TO congratulate Admiral Criu
that he comes here at a time when we
are delighted to receive him.
THE coming of such a distinguished
man fills void. There is no place of
interest now except the Senate chamber,
and we are anxious to make other places
interesting. The heat tonight is some
thing ought not to pass over without
comment. If ii continues it may serve
its uses, and l hope that if Admiral Criu
is exposed and feels somewhat incon-
venienced by it he should know it to be
necessary element In working out with US
CONSTITUTIONAL government.
And now, my dear friends. | wish to
propose toast from my heart because
il is 10 a gracious gentleman 10 whose
kindly and munifcent hospitality on three
or four occasions | have owed much. and
TO whose ability, 10 whose patri-
otism and TO whose greatness
monarch in developing Japan. which lie
has brought before the world one of
its great empires. all will pay tribute.
propose a toast To his imperial majesty
the Emperor of Japan-Banzai.
Ambassador Takahira Responds.
IH response to the toast proposed by
the President Amba ssador Takahira