Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 October 1908 — TOKIO BEATS 'EM ALL [ARTICLE]

TOKIO BEATS 'EM ALL

Japan’s Capital Overflows with Friendliness to Our Repre- < sentatives Over There. DEMONSTRATION A RECORD ONT - 4 x Whole Town Turns Out to Do Honor to Japan’s Historic Friend. Uncle Sam Has the Right-Of-Way Alt Over the Place—Tremendous Outpouring of Enthusiastic Hospitality.

Toklo, Oct. 23.-x-The capital of Japan has witnessed the most extraordinary evidence of the spirit of the new Japan. After having an audience of the officers of the United States battleship fleet op Tuesday the emperor issued an order directing the people to Increase, in every way possible, the enjoyment and pleasure of the visitors, who came, Le said, ar historic friends of the Japanese nation. The response to this imperial mandate, was seen and heard at uight Originally a torchlight procession of 15,000 people was planned as part of the programme, but this feature went far beyond expectations, and developed one of the greatest popular demonstrations and oup pourings of an enthusiastic people ever witnessed in any country. Nothing Like It Ever Seen.

Japan’s celebrations after peace With Russia, London’s “Mafeking Night,” and even New York’s election night revel would seem almost Insignificant compared with Tokio’s celebration. It would be impossible to estimate the number of people who took part in the parade and the myriads of spectators. Mile after mile, through madly cheering people, the great procession wound its way. Representatives of various guilds, universities, schools of every’ class for boys, and other organizations, took part in the parade, each individual carrying a lighted lantern held high on a long pole with United States and Japanese flags Intertwined. Roar of Cheers; Clash of Music. Admiral Sperry and the other chief officers of the fleet viewed the procession from a special grand'stand, standing with bared heads above the sea of waving lanterns, the deafening roar of cheers and the clash of the music from scores of bands which played the United States national hymn and other patriotic airs of the United States continuously. So dense became the crowds around the stand where the United States officers stood that the entire procession was blocked until Admiral Sperry was forced to leave In order to keep an engagement at the dinner given by Minister of Foreign Affairs Komura.