JAPAN’S GREETING.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 April 1922, Page 5

JAPAN’S GREETING.

HOMAGE TO THE PRINCE. I _ LINK IN FRIENDSHIP. GREAT PLANS MADE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received April 12, 5.5 p.m. Tokio, April 11. The Prince of Wales will be housed in the Akaska Palace during his stay. The palace was built twenty years ago for the present Emperor when he was Crown Prince, but it was never occupied, owing to certain views and fears expressed by the Royalty physicians. The Prince of Wales will be the first man to sleep under its roof. It is a majestic pile of stone and marble, embracing 150 rooms, furnished magnificently with French fumnure. The Prince of Wales’ own suite of rooms, however, contains a few priceless examples of Japanese and Chinese art. The city has a gala appearance, many thousands of British flags and millions of lanterns bearing a motto of welcome to the Prince of Wales.

The Prince Regent has sent a message addressed to the Japanese people, in which he says the visit of the Prince of Wales affords an opportunity to demonstrate the strength of toe friendship which existed between Britain and Japan during the past twenty years, the warmth of which his own welcome when he visited Britain was proof of. His wish is that all ranks should unite and make the town full of comfort, showing the whole-hearted friendship of Japan and the Japanese towards Britain.

The Premier stated that the coming of the Prince had given immeasurablesatisfaction to the Imperial household. It conferred a great honor on the Japanese nation, which felt an eternal obligation for the ovation accorded the Crown Prince by the British Court, Government and people. The visit is certain to strengthen the bonds of friendship between the two nations. — Reuter Service.