Daily Kennebec journal., 1914-01-15

general bearing or the people had al
ready convinced the Americans that
Japanese distrust of them had measur-
ably worn away. Refreshments were
served in elegantly lacquered dishes,
and what was left on their plates by
the Americans at the close was drap-
ped In papers and given them to carry
away according to the custom pre-
vailing in Japan in those days.
The Japanese commissioners were
richly dressed in gay, silk petticoat
pantaloons and upper garments resem-
bling in shape women's short gowns.
Dark colored stockings and two hand
some swords pushed through twist
ed silk girdle finished the costume,
Straw sandals were worn, but were al
ways slipped off on entering the house.
AT that time a Japanese did not cover
his head. the top and front part Of
which was shaved, and the back and
side hair being brought up was tied so
as to form a tail, three or four inches
long, that extended forward upon the
shaven pate.
'"rhe negotiations proceeded harmo-
niously, but peculiar to the japanese,
very slowly Thus question proposed
and then through several officers as
cending in rank before it reached the
commissioners; each one in turn bow
ing his head to the floor before he ad-
dressed his superiors.
Among the presents intended for
the emperor was a miniature railroad
track with a beautiful locomotive ten
der and passenger car, one-fourth the
ordinary size; and mile of mag
netic telegraph line, the operations of
which were exhibited on shore. These
inventions excited great deal of In
terest among the Japanese. particular
ly the telegraph, when they came to
comprehend its utility in the trans
mission of messages communications
being made in their presence in the
English and Dutch languages. They
were also delighted with the railroad,
when they saw the engine and car
flying along the track at the rate Of 20
miles an hour; they thought it would
be impossible to construct them to ad
vantage in Japan. owing to the very
uneven surface Of the country.
THE policy of Commodore Perry
had been on both this visit and his
former one to observe a strict exclu-
siveness. and the Japanese were on
all occasions given to understand that
with a desire on the part of the
Americans to establish friendly rela-
tions, no unworthy restrictions or ac-
tions would be submitted to that they
came to Japan not to beg, but to dis
pense favors. that, conscious of the
power of their government, they were,
nevertheless, desirous of meeting the
Japanese on equal and honorable
terms, and upon no other conditions
whatever would they consent to hold
anicable intercourse. The favorable
effect of this course OF action was
very apparent. The Japanese were
| glad to be admitted on board the ships
and the commissioners Of Nippon Of
fercd no objections to the American
officers strolling about the country In
| the neighborhood of their anchorage
while the negotiations were pend
ing Commodore Perry gave an enter
tainment to the Japanese commission
ers on board the flagship. The en-
gines Of the steamers were put in
motion, that their operation might be
witnessed. The ships companies were
drilled at general quarters, and atten-l
tion was called to the calfber Of the
heavy guns in use among the western
nations. The national stoicism and
self possession Of the Japanese were
not proof against such novelties, and,
they were unable to withhold their.
admiration and surprise. During the
festivities toasts to tho emperor and
the President were drunk with all the
honors."
After returning with the United
States vessels to this country. Lewis
remained in the navy. During the,
war he was on the gunboat Otsego,,
| doing patrol duty on the Albemarle
| sound, when the shfr was unexpected
| iy blown up by mines planted by the
confederates. For 1s days the survi-i
vors remained on the shattered craft
until they were picked up by the,
Shamrock, another Union gunboat.
Fortunately the hurricane deck OF the
disabled federal boat remained above
| the water line.
After going through many adven-
lures, Lewis, at the expiration OF his
service in the navy, enlisted in Co. A,
18th Massachusetts infantry, at Bos-
ton, and later saw land service until
the close of the war. Several medals
for gallantry in action were bestowed
on him.-New York Sun.