The San Francisco call., 1910-11-23

little expedition is Rokuro Yashiro.
The commander of the Asama is Cap
tain Morihide Tanaka. The other ship
is the protected cruiser Kasagi, Cap
tain Kazuyoshi Yamaji. On the Asama
are go midshipmen, for whose benefit
and naval education the cruise is being
taken. There are so midshipmen on
the Kasagi.
The ships will remain here until Sat
urday. and while in port they will both
coal, probably at California City. From
here they will make their way leisure
ly, visiting some southern California
ports. They will go as far south as
Panama, where the midshipmen hope
to be invited to inspect the site of the
canal.
MAYOR EXTENDS GLAD HAND
Not only did the military and naval
authorities welcome the visitors, but
Mayor Mccarthy extended to Admiral
Yashiro the freedom of the city, and the
commercial organizations backed him up
with the glad hand of welcome. Shortly
after the ships anchored Mayor Nc
Carthy, with James Rolph, president
OF the Merchants exchange; Captain
William Matson, acting president of
the chamber of commerce, and Robert
S. Atkins. vice president of the Mer-
chants association, boarded the Asama
and were received by the admiral in
his cabin.
They poured down their throats a
libation to the glory of his majesty the
emperor of Japan and another to his
excellency President Taft. They drank
the admirafs health and they toasted
the mayor, and Consul General Nagai
Joined in the toasts and with smiling
diplomacy converted Mayor Mccarthy
address of welcome into the language
of the island kingdom, and gave able
assistance to the admiral, who insisted
in speaking United States and made a
very good job of 1t.
The Asama took an active part in
the war with Russia. Admiral Yashiro,
who was then a captain, was In COM
mand of the cruiser, and he told his
visitors something of what he and the
ship went through during that un-
pleasantness. He and the Asama were
at the battle of Chemulpo, in the ac-
ton of the yellow sea and at the big
battle of the Sea of Japan, where the
Russian feet was destroyed. The after
end of the Asama was shot away and
the vessel was submerged almost to the
waters edge.
And them" said Mayor Mccarthy,
II suppose you went looking for a
drydock?"
no" replied the admiral "I made
an examination and when I found the
protected deck still intact we just
went on fighting."
AT the conclusion of the war when
the emperor reviewed his victorious
feet he selected the battered Asama as
his flagship.
KAIsER's AUTOGRAPH SHOWN
Admiral Yashiro is an admirer of the
German emperor and an autograph
photograph of Kaiser William occupies
a place of honor in his cabin.
In connection with the arrival OF the
squadron. Tommy Crowley the launch
king, was almost responsible for an
international complication.
BY way of letting the world know
that he had launches for hire and that
he would make trips to the warships.
he had spread across the bulkhead an
array of bunting. On a rickety flag
staff he had hoisted small American
flag and Immediately below 1t the flag
OF Japan.
Acting Consul General Nagai, who
was an early arrival on the water
front, saw the combination and pro-
tested against 1t. An agent of the
Mitsui company also made a protest.
Crowley placed the blame on his Office
boy. apologized for the lads ignorance
of international courtesy and hoisted
the Japanese flag on a little staff of
its own down by the boat landing.
visitors will be received on board
both ships during their stay in port.