The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-10-19
JAP PANESE PARTY DELIGHTED WITH
 THEIR VISIT HERE
Baron Mitsui, Prominent I'm porter Wants To Develop
 Trade With Birmingham
VISITS INDUSTRIES AND
 IS GUEST AT DINNER
Now Imports a Great Deal of steI To Japan From Pittsburg-Says Pan- anna Canal Will Open Direct
 Route To Birmingham

In anticipation of extensive commer- ciai and industrial relations with Bir- mingham, Baron H. Mitsui, head of the banking exporting firm of Mitsui x Co.,, arrived in Birmingham yesterday at noon. The distinguished subject of the Japanese Emperor was accompanied by Dr. and Mrs. T. Dan and K. Kurasawa. New York representative of the firm of Mitsui & Co. in addition, the baron was accompanied by the Baroness Mitsui and Miss Mitsui and retinue of secretaries and servants.
 The party was received at the Ter minal station yesterday at noon by a rep resentative gathering of industrial men of the Birmingham district.
 The visitors are making flying" trip of the world and landed in New York only few days ago. They are travelling on the private car Pilgrim" It was at- tached to Queen and Crescent train No. at 10 o'clock last night and the trav- elers will be in New Orleans today.
 Immediately upon arriving here the
  vate car Tennessee" to Ensley. He con templates exporting a great amount of steel within the next few years and de- sired to get in touch with the Steel corporation interests in Birmingham. The party was served with lunch aboard the car. After thoroughly inspecting the plant at Ensley the party was taken ,iv,p p11or and shown the massive deposits of ore that are owned by the company here.
 Prior to leaving last night the baron authorized this statement for publica- tion concerning his visit here. It was given in English by MT. Kurasawa:
 Baron Authorizes Statement
 "The Baron Mitsui is at the head of extensive banking and mining companies and other industries in Japan. He an- nually exports a great amount of steel to Japan from Pittsburg to New York, thence through the Suez canal to Japan.
 This great commercial trade has de- veloped principally through the friendship of Baron Mitsui to America and partly through the inadequate facilities of the steel producing plants of our country to supply our growing demands.
 We came to Birmingham to see this growing center The baron is well in formed as to your possibilities and real izes that it will require only a few years for this point to become in reality tho supply center for great many countries, including our own. In other words it is realized that as soon as the Panama canal Is completed it will be possible for Japan to buy steel products here, ship to New Orleans, thence to Japan. and thus buy cheaper than in the case by the route we are now patronizing.
 With this in mind a close inspection was agreed upon of the Birmingham district by Baron Mitsui The visit here was for that purpose alone.
 'The creation of commercial relations with Birmingham by Japan will bring the south closer to our country than 1t is now by great deal. When we can pro- cure products here without paying too heavy rates on the products, then we will move our Pittsburg patronage here inso- far as is practicable.
 ''The baron expresses his keen delight over his visit here He is thankful for the cordial reception given him and feels that by becoming known here he has already sowed seeds that will re- suit in friends when the commercial ac- t1Vlt1eS begin between HIS lHtereStS dHu those in Birmingham.
 He was perfectly amazed at the great district here. In the past few years he has often been advised of this district but never before had 1t been realized that Birmingham was such a large place and one with so many degrees of cosmo- politanism."
 Dinner At Country Club
 yic{t oil ha ri of tha Birmingham district that could be seen In a few hours the baron accompanied by a number of industrial men of Bir mingham was escorted to his hotel. Af- ter resting few minutes he was escorted to the Country club where a dinner was rendered him and Dr. Dan by the indus trial leaders of Birmingham. The diners chatted about the relations that are expected to develop between this coun- try and Japan. The visitors were shown to their private car by Walker Percy, Mayor Culpepper Exum and Frank H. Crockard
 Baron Mitsui and the diners wore the national flower of Japan. a chrysanthe- mum on their lapels. The Japanese visit ors seemed to appreciate the honor shown them when In so little a detail and upon reaching their car last night expressed themselves very much pleased with the attention given them all day. The flower detail drew very grave thanks.
 The party will visit New Orleans today and later will visit several towns In Texas Thence they will go through Den yer, Colorado Springs, and by the Santa Fe route to San Francisco. The party will sail for the Flowery Kingdom No vember 1.
 Of Very Small Stature
 In appearance Baron Mitsui is very small. He possesses a slight mustache and pair of keen black eyes. He has to a marked degree that diplomatic smile that is evident with all Japanese.
 The visitors were very cordial to every one that approached them and to the entertaining citizens were very eager to converse. The baron secuted any sug gestion of a misunderstanding between Japan and America When asked about the proposal of Secretary of State P. c. Knox, to divide among the powers the Manchurian railway he looked away off and laughed