PRINCE IN JAPAN.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 April 1922, Page 5

PRINCE IN JAPAN.

[ A WONDERFUL WELCOME. FRIENDSHIP OF NATIONS. HOPE OF NEW TREATY. By Telegraph.-*-Press Assn.—Copyright. Received April 13, 5.5 p.m. Tokio, April 12. The Prince of Wales’ welcome was unprecedented in the history of Japan. H.M.S. Renown arrived at Yokohama to the thuriUer of the guns of twenty-one warships. The Prince received various addresses of welcome and smilingly greeted forty thousand school children lining the route from the pier to the station.

There was a continuous bombardment of daylight fireworks from Yokohama to Tokio, t where the Prince Regent greeted him at the railway station. Eight Imperia] Prince* and the heir of the late (Emperor of Korea stood in the reception line, and grouped behind., them were many famous figures in brilliant Court uniforms. A vast crowd filling every available space banzaied tumultously, waving countless thousand* of Union Jacks. The Empress awaited and received the Prince of Wales on the step* of the Palace.

PICTURESQUE SCENES. The Prince Regent and the Prince of Wales, after stiff salutes, warmly clasped hands and earnestly conversed for a few minutes. The garrison lined the streets, while several thousand police were on duty. There was no fear of danger to the Prince, yet no risks were taken. The police compelled Hindu residents of the city to give their word that they would remain in their own houses during the Prince’s stay, or otherwise they would be imprisoned. Newspapers are issuing special editions warmly welcoming the Prince. A special Press correspondent with the Prince of Wales says that from Yokohama to Tokio the Prince travelled through nineteen miles of cheering Japanese, who received him with a fervour I which made the day one of the most : memorable of the tour. The Prince was i profoundly touched by the sincerity, of ; the homage from rich and poor alike, [ massed at stations and villages and on stretches of open' country beneath acres of flags. Figuratively, he was carried from the sea to the capital on one torrential cheer, every child and many adults waving the /Union -lack in one hand and the Japanese flag in the other.

A drizzle, which is threatening to become worse, is somewhat bedraggling the miles of decorations in Yokohama and Tokio. The Japanese authorities are providing special accommodation everywhere for British subjects.

CEMENTING FRIENDSHIP. Mr. Lloyd George has cabled stating that the British Empire was with his Royal Highness in heart wherever he went, and in returning the visit of the (town Prince he takes the friendship and goodwill of all the British towards their old gallant allies, the people of Japan. The Prince Regent, toasting the Prince of Wales at the welcome banquet at the Imperial Palace, said that in view of the signature to the Quadruple Treaty at the epoch-making Washington Conference it would not be amiss for him to dwell on the high and honorable role played by the. AngloJapanese Alliance in the interests of the peace of the Far East and upon the admirable spirit of loyalty manifested by both countries living up to all the obligations. He had every " confidence that when the new instrument with wider scope superseded the Alliance the same spirit of loyalty would be manifested by the four Powers concerned. He might add with equal confidence that the traditional friendship of the two island .Empires, which had been confirmed by the test of time, and consecrated by the ardours of the Great War, would ever remain enshrined in the hearts of the Japanese people.— Reuter Service.

ANGLO-JAPANESE ALLIANCE. ITS AID TO FRIENDSHIP. Tokio, April 12. The Prince of Wales, responding to the Prince Regent, said the signing of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance 20 years ago was a fruitful and momentous event to the East and West. He recalled with gratitude the loyalty in -good and evil days with which Japan had observed its ties and obligations. He felt assured the changes recently made would cause a loss of nothing of the old friendship. No doubt the quadruple agreement would result in a deepening not only of the traditional sympathy of our countries, but in good relations between the Powers who were party thereto. He was confident that, in the cause of civilisation and humanity. Japan would always be found to be in close

co-operation with Britain and it would be a source of deep gratification if his visit contributed to foster the existing friendship.