The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-05-01
SAILOR LADS LIKE JAPAN.


SAILOR LADS LIKE JAPAN.
One OF the Iowa sailor lads who
made the trip around the world on the
American fleet OF battleships was
Henry Repstein, a member of the
crew Of the Louisiana He obtained
leave of absence recently and visited
relatives and friends at Monticello,
in Jones county. While there he talk
ed freely concerning his experiences
and impressions en- route. Much that
he said is OF general interest and
value.
According to Mr.. Repstein, the most
interesting part OF the $4,000 mile
trip was when the fleet passed through
the strait Of Magellan. At that time
there was some talk of war with
Japan and the officers Of the feet
were determined not to be taken by
surprise as were the Russians at
Port Arthur. Before starting through
the strait the decks were cleared and
sanded for action. Every man was at
his position and every preparation
made for battle At signal from the
admiral every gun on the fleet could
be fred. Such preparation induced
the men to believe that they would
have to fight. They had recently been
at target practice, knew what they
could do and had the greatest conf
dence in their guns, ships and them
selves and sympathized with the foe
that was foolish enough to attempt to
stop them on their way. Mr.. Rep
stein is quoted by local paper as
saying in this connection:
1--WE started to go through the
strait In the early morning. A CHILEAN
battleship piloted the way. The
scene in the strait is the most insp1r-
ing In the world The water rushes
through the strait at a furious pace,
while the Andes mountains rise
thousand feet above making scene
of grandeur such as nature seldom
paints. The days were very short at
| the strait, only seven hours long
Shortly after dark we passed through
! the treacherous foaming water OF the
furious strait and emerged into the
majestic Pacific ocean. me erll
| through the Pacific was a happy anu
peaceful one"
After the talk about war with Japan
the sailors it may readily be surmlsed,
we're greatly surprised as well as de.
lighted at the treatment accorded
them by that country. The best treat
ment the feet received anywhere was
in Japan. In speaking of It Mr.. Rep
stein said:
aThe treatment was SO kind ant
! warm that it was with regret that =, TN
sailors left the Japanese port. In
Japanese government presented eacl
soldier with a medal Transportatlol
over all steam and electric railways
admission to theaters and shows AM
also to banouets and other entertain
noonte given IN honor of the men
tha aeet were free. The ladies' pre-
] sented the sailors with flowers, VIM
numerous regimental bands enllvene
the occasion with the inspiring ha.lo.
!; al airs of the United States. Aineiica
flags waved from nearly every buiiS
. ing"
Mr.. Repstein thinks the people 9
Japan have no enmity to the Amer
cans and that there is no danger {
war between the United States an
, Japan In New Zealand, also, the flee
i was treated with especial kindnes
q and left there with the best OF feelin
for the people of the island. Praise
J. likewiee accorded the government
' which left nothing undone to max
a the trip pleasant, educational and il
e teresting to the men.
e After seeing the war ships OF nea
/ " every nation Mr.. Repstein is sati
!. fed that man for man and ship fl
), ship the United States has the be-
i navy in the world. He says 1T is OF
s or which the American people me-
T. we'll be proud; that the officers of II
feet are splendid body of me
o patriotic. resourceful and efficier
S while the men behind the guns w
. compare favorably with those wi
! fought under Jones, Decatur, PER-
. Hull and other splendid America
= who made many of the glorious pag
e of our history.