AMERICAN FLEET.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 284, 25 November 1908, Page 4

AMERICAN FLEET.

THE VISIT TO JAPAN. SCENE OF GREAT ENTHUSIASM. American papers to hand yesterday give full accounts of the arrival of the great white fleet in the Bay of Tokio, and the hearty welcome accorded the visitors. The *l6 battleships, says one despatch from Yokohama, dated October 18, constituting the Atlantic fleet, 0:1 its peaceful cruise around the world. are riding at anchor today in the Hay of Tokio, occupying a ipost of honor i'i front of a like 'number of Japanese men of war, the white hulls of the American vessels forming a strong contrast l'i the sombre hue of the Japanese vessels. "In the gray hours before dawn,' 1 says the New York Herald, 'the leviathans of America's fleet were discerned manoeuvring off the entrance to Tokio Bay. Yokohama was awake already, "and the streets were crowded with excited people streaming from the surrounding country afoot, hi rickshas or in carriages, making their way to the water front and to the hills overlooking the bay, to get their first glimpseof the fleet. From thousands of flagstaffs and buildings, and every point in -the big city, floated the Stars and Stripes. Miles of streets were almost walled in -with intertwined American and Japanese emblems. The bay itself was fairly aflame with bunting. The enthusiasm of the people was evidently sincere, though mixed with natural curiosity regarding the big lighting ships from America and their long, successful cruise, which has marked a aew epoch in naval history. •" Foreigners were in the minority i.i the crowds, but wherever they appeared they were treated with exceptional courtesy, because to the Japanese, all foreigners must be Americans, many being unable to discriminate between Americans and those from other lands. The ■ roar of the guns, the bursting fireworks, bombs, the shriek of the steam sirens with the accompaniment of the drone of the deep notes of the liners u.i -a the air with overwhelming sound. Ashore bedlam broke loose and word* fail to describe the 'enthusiasm of the assembled thousands. When the American fleet finally came to anchor it presented an imposing spectacle. Thirty■two great warships occupied four long columns of eights, the Americans taking the place of honor in the forefront. "As soon as the anchors were east a reception committee, from Hie Japanese Government representing every department, and attaches of the various foreign embassies and legations, and the mayor of Yokohama, put off from shore for the flagship Connecticut."

Prince Ito's welcome on behalf of lb* people was as follows:—''The whole peopie of Japan unite in extending a most warm and sincere welcome to the guests of the American battleship fleet now approaching the harbour of Yokohama. The visit of these good ships and men to our empire ig sincerely regarded as an additional token of the unbroken friendship which has existed between the two nations since the coming to Japan of Commodore Perry in ]Bo2. Such a round-the-world cruise, undertaken by the niagaificient navy 01, our friendly neighbours breaks the re-1 cord in naval annals, and it will bo watched until its completion with the most intense interest because of its bearing upon the naval relations and achievements in the future of all naval Powers. 1 hope our frienship and commercial relations with the United States .will be more closely cemented by this auspicious event.' President Roosevelt's message to the Mikado, transmitted through Admiral Sperry, was as follows:—"Convey to ills .Majesty the Kmperor of Japan my best wishes for his continued good health and happiness and that of all the inhabitants of his realm. Express to His Majesty the high gratification afforded me and the people of jhe United States at the opportunity which permits the Commander-in-Chief of the United States fleet in person to present my appreciation of the friendship which has existed from the earliest time between the United States and Japan, and of the honour of the United States in this invitation to the United StatM Atlantic licet to visit the ■empire of •Ja|*ni in its practice cruise round the world. You will expre-s to His Majesty the Emperor my earnest wish for ,the strengthening and continuance of the cordial relations which exist an •have always existed between the two countries."

• A Hongkong message states than in connection witli the visit of the fleet t Amoy the Chinese officials were determined to make the visit memorable in view of the drawing closer of the friendly bonds between America and 'China'. They regarded it as a great chance for showing China's apprecia-l tion of the keen interest taken by America in Chincs-e affairs and the desire on the part of America to sol.'e this present Eastern question and at the same time elevate China.