The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1916-02-18
RUSSIAN ENJOYS VISIT TO
JAPAN BELIEVED FORERUNNER
OF MUTUAL GOOD ALLIANCE
PrOav Enthusiasm Prevails Nippon Closer Union
Between Nations Is Believed Near-Deep Sympathy In
Cars Kingdom for Such a Pact

Toxic, Feb. 18-It is believed the
way has been cleared for an actual
alliance between Russia and Japan
as a, result of the visit here of the
Grand Duke George Michaelovitch,
cousin of the Gar. 1t is likely that
the newspapers have exaggerated the
number of things that areAexpected to
flow from the event but there are
indications that at least a. practical
understanding will be reached at the
conclusion of the war concerning AS
iatic Russia and the Far East.
References to the closer union be-
tween Russia and Japan were con-
tanned in the official addresses ex-
changed last night at the palace
where Emperor Yoshihito gave a state
dinner in honor of the Grand Duke
who came to Toxic to convey con-
gratulatory coronation greetings from
the Gar.
'.It is our great satisfaction and
pleasure said Emperor Yoshihito, ito
see~the sentiments of friendly respect
and mutual confidence between our
nations daily increasing and growing
stronger. We wish our Highness' WIS.,
it to this country will be an enjoyable
one and we firmly believe that Your
Hghness will personally observe and
recognize the sincere and friendly
sentiments entertained by our nation
toward your country and people" The
Emperor then presented the Grand
of the Chyrsanthemum and honored
the members of his suite with various
decorations.
After transmitting the Cars con-
CALCULATIONS, the Grand Duke referred
to the great honors paid to Russia
and spoke of the friendly attitude and
deep sympathy given by the Japanese
nation since the commencement of
the war. He went onto say: ct beg
to assure our Majesty that the i'm
Lnense sympathy and, assistance given
to our country have caused unbound
Ksd gratitude and will leave an ever
lasting Impression in the chronicle or
the friendly relations between Japan
and Russia
The Grand Duke presented to the
Emperor in behalf of his royal cous-
in the Grand Order of Saint Andrew
decorated with diamonds and bearing
the imperial crest carved on q dia-
rnond. To the Empress was present
ed the First Order Of Saint Catherine
with fine art work and the imperial
crest carved in diamond. These are
the highest orders to be found in the
Russian court and that presented to
the Empress of Japan has, received
a decoration from a. foreign ruler
The Russian envoy remains in Jap
an about two weeksA
The extent of the pro-Russian en-
thusiasm now pervading Japan is evil
denced by the tone of newspapers and
other periodicals. Leading dailies ap-
pear with editorials welcoming the
phasizing the growth or the friend
ship between the two empires. They
point out that already a practical al
lance exists between the two nations
and earnestly express the hope that
the understanding now existant will
merge into a formal alliance at the
closing of the present war. Some
journals make the point that the re-
approachment of which the Grand
Dukes visit is one of OF the outward
and visible signs is a happy iuustra-
ton of the good that may be done
by enlightened policy even after a
devastating war. One newspaper re-
marked that had Japan's victory in
Man4huria been followed by an i'm
possible settlement such as that Ger
many forced upon France in 1870 the
fear of a Russian war of revenge
must have dominated Far Eastern
politics for many years. Thanks to
the tact and wisdom of the statesmen
of the two countries such feeling as
may have existed diminished constant
1y and may now be said to have en-
tirely passed away
The il il remarked that although
Germany was certain. to be defeated
she would not be ruined and Japan
should see to it that in the CHEAT
world competition to come she has
should continue to be based upon the
principle and spirit embodied in the
Anglo-Japanese alliance which should
not be altered. but this should not
prevent a closer union between Japan
and Russia.
a considerable pro-German feeling
in Japan accept irresponsible utter
ances for the real opinion of the