Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-08-14
JAPANESE MISSION
Warm Welcome Given
at Pacific Port
Members Come Officially as Comrades
in Gigantic Struggle for Liberties and
Sacred Rights Of Mankind

A Pacific Port, Aug. ia Japanese
mission TO the United States arrived
here today and proclaimed that its
members come officially "as comraoes
in a gigantic struggle which involves
the liberties and the sacred rights OF
mankind"
I'VE are here" declared Fiscount
x. Ishii. ambassador extraordinary
and plenipctentiary, in an answer TO
an address Of welcome from the may
or. "as the representatives OF japan,
or MISSION Of friendship ana eood
viii We come as allies in a common
cause"
Tonight he adverted to this nations
war panoply and its meaning TO Jap
an.
I'VE are particularly glad to be here
lust At this time he said, when all
America Is showing courage, patriot
i'm. energy and whole hearted zeal
Naturally Japan is interested III
your PREPARATIONS. We are glad to see
.hor. Not a sensible person in Japan
secs anything IN your preparations
but great benefit to both countries IN
the future.
I'VE have always had confidence IN
the fundamental justice, sound sense
and broad vision Of Americans. We
are glad OF your preparations on lana
md ga because We believe they mean
O. ~s~,i-r peaoe.
Breckenridge Long, third assistant Sec
retarv Of state. and Gavin McNabe. an
at,ornev. sent from Washington with rep
resen at!ves of the army and navy. board
ed The liner bringing the mission as she
made port with the Rising Sun flag Of
Iapan fv!ng at her fore peak in honor Of
her distinguished passengers.
sattleshp Circles Vessel
A United States battleshp circled the
,.s.se, until the mission was put aboard a
launch shore-bound
The real ceremonies Of welcome began
at ne landing place. Masses OF troops
at present arms lined the street, while
the Japanese anthem was played. Lines or
troope-s rode beside the automobiles
which escorted the mission to the City
hall. where applause greeted each men,
her of the mission presented by the may
or 20 the people When Niscount lshl
made his declaration of alliance and
friendship the cheering became thunder
Gus as the crowd caught the significance
Of his utterance, and the viscount, VINO
had been reading in a moderate voice
from his manuscript, continued in vioor-
Gus tones:
This. perhaps. is neither the time nor
the place FOR detailed exposition of the
plans and hores which have inspired our
mission" he said. 1T is sufficient that
you see in our presence here this after
noon Japan's pledge Of loyalty to the
principles for which America has thrown
down the gauge Of battle.
we shall proceed to Washington.
carving TO your great President and
C. the American people message OF
fraternity. confidence and cheer. 1t is
our ambition--if that were necessary
q impress once more upon the Amerl-
can people the solemn fact that Japan
stands with you, heart and soul, in
your lofty purpose to make this world
the abiding place of liberty, justice and
fair play.
Proud tc Be Americas Allies
I'm this crisis Of the worlds affairs
VIC are proud to call ourselves the al
lies Of the great American republic and
we are honored by your trust and good
will
Il can only add that this splendid
demonstration at the very moment Of
placing our feet upon your hospitable
shores fills our hearts with gratitude
and inspires every member of this COM
mission with the conviction that the
objects Of our visit to America are al
ready guaranteed"
a banquet was given the mission to-
night by resident Japanese.