The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1917-08-31
JAPAN EXPRESSES FRIENDSHIP
FOR UNITED STATES
Representative Pays High Tribute to
George Washington-Will Fight
to Conclusion of Lasting
Peace

Washington, Aug. 26.-Standing
beside the tomb of George Washing
ton, Viscount Ishii, head of the spec
lal Japanese mission, today pledged
eternal friendship of his people to
the United States and voiced mes
sage to the world that Japan is in the
war with every ounce of her strength
and resources and will fight to the bit
ter end for her allies.
There is gulf between the ancient
east and the newborn west too deep
and wide for the hearts and the un-
derstandings of her people to cross"
declared the Japanese diplomat. A
minute later, with his eyes raised to
the blue vault above, he said:
Japan is proud to place herself
beside her noble allies this high re-
solve to fight for justice and against
war aggression, and here, in the pres
ence of these deathless ashes, she re-
affirms her devotion to the cause and
principles for which they waged bat
tie, fully determined to do her whole
part in securing for the world the
blessings of liberty, justice and last
ing peace"
when he ceased speaking, Viscount
lshii stepped into the tomb and rev.
erently laid an immense wreath along
side the tributes from France, Great
Britain, Belgium and the other nations
VINO have sealed their promises of de-
votlon to the common cause of Justice
and humanity on the spot where rests
the ashes of the immortal Washing
ton.
At Mount Vernon.
Count lshii and the japanese mis-
sion were taken to Mt. Vernon today
on the Mayflower as the guests of
Secretary of the Navy Daniels. Mem
bers of the cabinet, high officials. gov
ernment, army and navy officers,
members of congress and the civilian
lleutenants of the president in prose-
cutting the war were present and gave
hearty welcome to the visitors from
overseas. None of the visits paid to
Washington's tomb by other missions
have combined the dramatic with such
a show of reverence as was witnessed
today There could be no mistaking
the absolute sincerity of Viscount
lshn and he delicately made refer
ence to the ripples that have occurred
from time to time in the Diplomatic
seas between the two countries and
declared the wish of his sovereign and
ms people to be the formation of in
dlssoluble ties with the United States
which will forever Danish all doubts
as to the attitude of Japan toward
this government. When he made his
declarations, his voice was clear and
strong, the little group about the
tomb showed its appreciation by spon-
taneous and prolonged applause.
Impressive.
Not even Marshal Joffre, idol of the
allied nations, evoked the enthusiasm
which greeted the visitors from the
land of cherry blossoms. And on the
other hand, none of the representa-
tives of our allies who have visited
Mt. Vernon have demonstrated q
greater interest in the shrine of Amer
lcan liberty, and in hearing details of
the private life of General Washing
ton and his family.
On the trip down the Potomac the
members of the mission were made to
feel thoroughly at home and mingled
indiscriminately with the diplomats
and statesmen on board. By the time
MT. Vernon was reached, the visitors
were chatting with their hosts and
hostesses as if they had been here for
years instead of only three or four
days. Secretary Daniels made brief
address when the tomb was reached.
in which he assured Japan of the
friendship and regard of this nation.
He raforraI 70 tlo ,..:l
Perry to Japan in the early SOS and
the ratification of the treaty of 1855
as result. Mr. Daniels said:
To End Feudalism.
To-day, with stronger ties than
ever, woven out Of the threads of our
mutual participation in the world
VIDE struggle to insure to all man.
KIND the right to live their own lives
ana pursue their own national ideals,
Japan and America pause at the tomb
OF Washington, in the hope that there
may fall upon us all double portion
OF his spirit of faith in the triumph
OF the right and his readiness to make
the supreme sacrifice for the prin-
ciples for which America, Japan and
their allies are now contending in the
area of war. They have drawn the
sword to end military feudalism. They
will sheath it only in victory that
Will guarantee permanent peace"
The secretary then formally pre-
sented Viscount Ishii, who said:
I'm the name of my gracious SOW
ereign, the emperor of Japan, and rep
resentlng all the liberty loving peo-
pie who own his sway, I stand today
In this sacred presence-not to eulo-