September 11.
Frow the prodigious programmes which we publish in another colaba of the receptions that are being prepared in China and Japan for the American battleship fleet, it will be evident that both countries are straining every nerve in friendly rivalry as to which shall show their a] roaching guests the greater honor actual experience in the modern etiquette of entertaining guished visitors. But Chi clearly determined to prove that her hospitality need fear no comparison with that of any country in the world. Again the situation of Yokohama admits of greater variety in the occupations of the visit, with excursions to Tokio and picnics to neighbouring places of interest, than is feasible in the somewhat enclosed port of Amoy. From the official point of view, moreover, the Japanese entertainment gains lustre from the Imperial luncheon at which the commanders of the Fleet will be received. On the other hand, if the limitations of Amoy impose tome slight restrictions on the scope of the Chinese programme, they should tend to increase the general friendliness of its entertainments, On the score of beauty of surroundings Amoy need anticipate bat little rivalry. If the American visitors cannot go to the Capital, the Capital in the person of two of its most important representatives, Prince P'n Lun and H.E. Liang Tan-yen, will come to them; while Viceroys Tuan Fang and Sang Shou are also expected to be present, and by a happy coincidence the birthday oF the Dawazer-Hin falls within the period of the v As u crowning compliment, no prettier idea could have occurred to those responsible for the the R-¢. herald and S. C. & C. Gazette. organization of the Chinese reception, than that every member of the American Fleet should carry away with him a gold or silver medal in memory of his visit to the Chinese Empire.
The time allotted for the Fleet to remain in country is practically the same. Admiral Sperry is expected to arrive at Yokohama (where he will find the Japanese Fleet under the command of Vice-Admiral Ijuin waiting to receive him) on October 17, and will leave again on the 23rd, passing presumably outside Japan (as so a fleet of deep draft battleships would not unnecessarily attempt the narrows of Shimonoseki) to arrive at Amoy on October 29 for a week's stay. Of the official part of the ceedings in either country there is no need to speak before the event. Such receptions are practically stereotyped, and their good inflaence on international relations is neither to be over-estimated nor under-valued. Bat one feature that stands out conspicuously in both programmes is the evident attempt that is being mate to impart a homely character to the course of the entertainments. Special attention is paid to the pleasure of the crews, as distinct from their commanders. On the Japanese side, parties of officers and men are to be told off to act as unofficial guides to their American guests, and a generous provision of free passes by trains and tramcars is made for impromptu expeditions. At-Amoy, no day is to be allowed to pass without some particular device for the diversion of the American sailors. Sports and pastimes of all kinds figure largely in each day's round and there are prizes for every form of competition. A wise recognition would thus appear to have been given to the fact that while Governments may be instrumental in implanting an idea of mutual good will and dependence between nations, the perpetuation of that feeling must rest, in the long run, on the wishes of private persons. The fraternizing of Japanese, Chinese and American sailors at Yokohama and Amor, respectively, should exert no small influence in the possible tranquillization of the Far East which may be hoped for from the visit of the American Fleet.
Apart from the energy with which all countries throw them-into reasons why both Jo should make peculiar exertions on behalf of the American Fleet.
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China finds herself under obligation to the United States, witnessed by the approaching mission of H. E. Tang Shao-yi to Washington to return thanks for the remission of the Boxer indemnity: while outside this circumstances, the United States has shown, of late, such evident desire to cultivate the friendship of China that it would early be cherish on her overtares in kind. On the part of this Power not to
side of Japan, the remembrance that the embarrassment of national finances has compelled the ponement of the Tokio Exhibition, to which the United States promised to be among the largest, if not the largest of contributors, would naturally redouble the anxiety of ro-}all' classes to compensate the Americans for this unavoidable contretemps; more especially after the extremely gracious message with which President Roosevelt received the news of the postponement. Finally we cannot be blind to the mutual relations of all three Powers which, from a period of extreme delicacy and palpable friction, have at length begun to exhibit signs of the prevalence of wiser counsels. Extremes are proverbially dangerous. There is no more reason to attach importance to suggestions of alliance between China and the United States than to alarms of warfare between the latter country and Japan. Bat side by side with the conspicuous efforts which have been made by Japanese and American leaders of thought to dispel the notion of a conflict of interests between the two nations, an increasing; desire has lately been evidence on the part of Japan for a better state of feeling as regards China. There is no apparent reason why the friendship of two of these three nations need exclude the friendship of the third. The alternative would appear to be a kind of triangle of forces combining, without suspicion of jealousy in other quarters, for the general good order of the Far East.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.