Evening star., 1936-04-11
ByLeila Pier King.

PRINGT1ME in Washington, al
in Japan, is "unthinkable with
out the roseate luxuriance of
the blooming Sakura," the
cherry trees.
The 800 or more trees surrounding
the Tidal Basin are the largest COL
lection of Towering cherry trees in the
world, outside Japan. These lovely
blossoms are an unforgettable sight
whether mirrored in still waters,
glimpsed through plumed willows or
framing the historic Washington
Monument or Lincoln Memorial.
Half world away, in the city Of
Toxic. Japan. more than 50,JoG white
petaled cherry trees are growing. For
Is centuries the people of Old Nippon,
from the Emperor and his court to
the lowliest peasant, have flccked to
see
THE willows and the cherry blossoms
Mingle in vivid color to new-make
The Mikado's capital
Into priceless brocade of Spring"
Just Is years ago 5000 small cherry
trees were growing in special nursery
at the imperial horticultural station
near Toxic, Japan. When large
enough to transplant they we're lifted
from the homeland soil, sent thou
sands of miles over sea and land and
eventually we're planted in the Capt.
tai of the United States.
Mrs William Howard Taft, in her
home on wyoming avenue. recalled to
this writer how she was impressed with
the beauty of the japanese cherry
trees when she first saw them in bloom.
AS wife of the Secretary of War dur
ing the administration Of Theodore
Roosevelt, Mrs. Taft was interested In
beautifying the Capital City. At this
time she learned there were a few
cherry trees In nearby nurseries. She
ordered these planted at once in Poto-
mac Park, which she desired to make
more attractive for outdoor social
gatherings and public band concerts.
TN 1907, when Mr.. and Mrs. Taft
visited Japan, plans were culminat-
ed for that nations gift to the United
States of 5000 cherry trees. Years
later Yei Theodore Ozaki, wife of the
mayor of Toxic, wrote to Mrs. Taft in
friendly remembrance of that visit.
This highly esteemed letter, still in
Mrs. Taft's possession, tells the SIM
pie and lovely story of Japan's gift of
the cherry trees to Washington.
". How often" says Mrs. Ozaki's
letter, I'VE have thought of you and
MIR. Taft and looked at your hand
some photographs which adorn our
home. How often I have recalled the
friendship of those never to be for
gotten days when you and Mr.. Taft
visited Toxic and we're the honored
guests of the Emperor and Empress in
the detached Shiba Palace"
1T was then" Mrs. Ozaki continues,
"that first met you. My husband
was mayor Of Toxic and it was then
he heard that you wished to take
some Japanese cherry trees to America
to plant there. He then and there
planned to send the now famous
cherry trees which are planted along
the Potomac as gift to the City of
Washington from the municipality of
Toxic.
"Mr. ozaki called an alderman's
council and presented his proposition
that the city of Toxic should present
three thousand $4,000 cherry trees as
q memorial of friendship between
Japan and America to the city of
Washington.
His plan was carried unanimously
and the 5000 cherry trees were ship
ped. On reaching the shores of Amer
lea these trees were found to be in
fected with scale and were destroyed!
when the secretary of the United
States Embassy went to the City Hall
and informed my husband Of the un-
foreseen and unfortunate end of the
cherry trees, the young man looked
very uneasy and grave at having to
announce such an untimely end to the
first cherry trees. My husband smiled
and said:
"Oh, I believe your first President set
the example Of destroying cherry trees.
didn't he?
There was laugh and the secretary
looked quite relieved!
"MR. OzAK1. nothing daunted.
A called another alderman's coun-
ell and announced that the cherry
trees being infected. had been de-
stroyed and he wished the municipality
Of Toxic to send q second 5000 trees
TO Washington. There were some
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