The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1917-08-27
AMERICA CONGRAT-
ULATED BY JAPAN

JdpdItSe LHp 0AOT OC1teAS LctCcA Va
Congrat Upon Decision to
Enter War-Viscount Says Amer
lea is Fighting on Side of Japan
Washington Dispatch, Aug. %.
Viscount Ishii, special ambassador
and head Of Japan's mission to the
United States, presented his creden-
tials to President Wilson late today
and with them an autograph letter
from his emperor congratulating the
President and the people Of the Unit
ed States upon their decision to en-
ter the war against Germany.
The ambassador recalled seeing
American and Japanese colors wav-
ing together at the relief of Picking
in 1900 and told the President it was
source of pride to every japanese
that the United States now was fight
ing with Japan for safe and endur
ing peace.
Tonight Viscount Ishii and the
members Of his mission were the
guests of the President at state
dinner in the White House, closing
a day of the formal calls of courtesy
preceding the important conferences
at which the business of the visitors
will be discussed.
Presenting his credentials to the
President, Viscount Ishii said:
Japan's Message
"Mr. President: On this occasion [
have the good fortune to be the bear
er Of a special message Of welcome
and deep appreciation from His I'M
perial Majesty, the Emperor fla
pan to the President and sovereign
people of the United States Of
America, on their momentous de-
cision to cooperate in the great war
now raging.
"His majesty, interpreting the un-
graduates your great country on this
determination. 1t has been arrived
at, not lightly and in a moment of
. passion, but after the exercise of a
noble patience and in a spirit of I'M
selfish chivalry which have excited
the admiration of the whole world
That America is now fighting on the
side of Japan is source of pride to
His Majesty and to every Japanese
"This is no ordinary war, it is ar
issue between common morality ano
an inhuman system of calculated ag.
erosion which would render al
friendly intercourse impossible. The
welcome fact that the United State:
stands side by side with the Alliet
Powers is a. guarantee of early vic
tory, and His Imperial Majesty hail
| it as such with deep qualification"
+ The Presidents Reply
The President said in reply:
"Mr. Ambassador: It is with ;
sense of deep satisfaction that l re
: ceive from your hand the letter
: whereby you are accredited as tn
: ambassador extraordinary and plen
y ipotenetiary Of Japan on special mis-
;. sion to the United States. 1t is
t. pleasure to accept through you fror
your imperial sovereign congratuls
J. tons on the entrance of the Unite
States into the great conflict whic
is now waging.
"The present struggle is especial
ID characterized by the development {
l. the spirit of cooperation througho,
70 the greater part Of the world for tt
- maintenance of the rights of nation
"a and the liberties of individuals.
IN assure your excellency that STAN
III ing, as our countries now do, ass
sy ciated in this great struggle for tt
vindication of justice, there will
"a developed those closer ties of fello,
W ship which must come from the NJ
ne tual sacrifice of life and propert
81 May the efforts now being exert
bl by an indignant humanity lead, at t