The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-11-11
ASKS u. S. FRIENDSHIP.
Premier Okuma says Japan Owes
Mich TO This Country.

Toxic. Nov. lo.-Enpcror Yoshihito
issued to-day. Immediately after the
principal coronation ceremony AZ Eioto.
the following rescript:
"iiaving assembled the imperial throne
OF divine origin. we hereby perform the
ceremony OF accession. our imperial an
cestors having laid the foundation Of our
empire. our wise predecessors In rur-
suaIce of the divine command coeval
with heaven and earth have succeeded 10
the imperial throne. transmitted in an
ever unhroken line. together with the
divine treasures, and reigned over the
people with benevolent care.
The forefathers Of you. our subjects,
have been constant and loyal to the I'm
perial house, thus conseCrated by ties
that unite sovereign and subjects with
the strength Of n bono between father
and son. our empire has developed a
character which has NJ equal on this
earth.
NOW that We have Inherited the grand
work OF our father. II is IN will TO secure
the permanent stability Of the state by
consolidating Its foundation and to share
the benefit of peace and harmony by
strengthening friendship with other ma
tons. May the heavenly spirit OF our
ancestors witness our determination that
We fulfil our mission by diligently labor
ing day and night"
Premier Okuma said In an Interview
to-day:
1T Is now sixty years since tn. United
states first knocked at the door OF Japan.
which slowly opened on It's hinges. creak-
ing with the rust OF centuries, and Great
Britain. Russia. France. Italy. Austria
and Prussia. with outstretched hand,
eagerly embraced us into the comfy OF
nations.
There are two plain facts which en-
abled Japan 10 attain the position whic,
Is her good fortune to hold to-day. Dna
Of them il the u~nccasinG effort made In
the early stages O: our Intercourse with
the Western Powers. alike 10y the Cow
and the people OF the United
States. to lead us IN the path OF civil
cation. The other is the illus,r.ous vir.
tues and the wise rule Of the great En-
peror Neil, who assembled the throne
of Japan twelve years after the ad-
vent OF Commodore Perry.
1T Is indeed "A strange coincidence
that at the time when ~Japan's bene-
factor H. concentrating the opening ~
the Panama Canal We are holding great
national celebrations and rcjoiclngs. Let
us hope that these two vents Will help
10 bind together In still closer bonds of
amity the millions of people who in
habit the land OF liberty n justice with
the millions of people who inhabit the
land OF Bushido.
in our efforts in that direction
hope and trust that We will get not only
the support but also the cooperation ot
the United states. the country which
first introduced us into the comfy of
nations"
The Emperor awarded a posthumous
honor to I.afcad!o Hearn. the writer
who first Interpreted ,apanesc thought
to The Western world. designating him
Il fourth class junior In court rank.
November 10. the day OF the first
grand coronation banquet, and Novem-
Der II, the day OF the grand thanks
| giving festival. We're designated by an
imperial order as special national holt
days In he observed by all Government
offices, public bodies And schools.
Among those decorated by the En-.
! peror are Jokichi Takamine of New
York. noted for his research work in