New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-18
Ishii Reamrrns
Friendship of
Japan for u. s.
Head of Japanese Mission
PAYS Tribute to Com
modore Perry

NEWPORT, r. l., Sept. Full con-
hdence that the good understanding
between America and Japan would I'm
crease to the end Of all time was ex-
pressed to-day by Viscount lshii, head
Of the japanese mission, in his only
public utterance during the two days
visit Of the party to this city.
Speaking ut public reception in
the Casino, the viscount said;
Newport is stored in the mind OF
every school child in Japan as the
resting place of Commodore Matthew
Perry. Not so long ago Japan lived
in isolation, we'll contented. One day
there came knocking at our door, and,
looking forth, we saw strange sights
indeed. Fantastic folk in awesome
ships, with grewsoms guns, held out
the hand of friendship, and thus came
America and Commodore Perry TO our
shores.
These sixty years just passed must
constitute one full chapter in the his
tory of Japan. During all that time the
Pacific Ocean, so illlmitable then to US,
has been growing more narrow daily.
The East and the West, which stood
aloof without a thing in common eX-
cept their common humanity, have by
that wonderful thread been drawn
closer and ever closer together, until
to-day we stand shoulder TO shoulder
as friends and allies, defying the
power OF evil 20, destroy that splendid
heritage which we are agreed to share
as common heirs.
81 am convinced that with the turn
ing of the page and the opening of this
new chapter Of international history,
and so through the end OF all time and
all chapters, our good understanding
will increase.
The reception came at the close of a
day largely given over to showing the
visitors some Of the workings of the
war machine of their American ally.
They were given a glimpse Of one Of
the heavy batteries At Fort Adams in
mimic action, saw every stage in the
construction Of the torpedoes at the
torpedo station and, after lunching
with Mayor Burdick and the city gov
eminent at the Clambake Club, were
rendered a drill and review by the
brigade of apprentice seamen at the
training station.
The exhibition by the young blue
jackets was anything but perfunctory
and delighted the visitors with its
picturesque incidents. The boys, none
of whom have been in training more
than six months and many Of them
scarcely five weeks, went through their
maneuvres with an enthusiasm that
was contagious. They handled their
battery Of field pieces with the ease of
veterans.
Then the brigade, after formally
marching by In review, gave the mis-
sion a surprise. Standing at ease be
fore the visitors and led by their band
and drum corps. they sang THE Battle
Hymn of the Republic" cover There"
Nancy Lee and Pack IN Your
Troubles in Your Old Tobacco Kit"
IL sounded like the student body Of
great university standing on the
campus and rehearsing their songs on
the eve OF the big game. There was
no doubt as TO their alma mater when
the BOYS, their officers, the guests Of
the reviewing stand and the great
crowd of citizens joined in singing THE
Star-spangled Banner" Workmen on
the roofs of distant buildings dropped
their tools and stood at attention.
Then the band played the Japanese ma
tionsl anthem, and the brigade
marched off the field.
Tonight the members Of the mis-
sion were rendered dinner by Gov
error Beeckmsn. They leave for Bos-
ton tomorrow.