PRINCE TOKUGAWA GIVEN ROUSING WELCOME HERE

Distinguished Japanese Statesman Reaches Seattle and Becomes Honored Guest of Local Chamber of Commerce

BANQUET TONIGHT IN RAINIER CLUB ROOMS

Next Stop of Oriental Dignitary Will Be at Pittsburg, Where He Will Visit Plant of Carnegie Steel Works.

Prince Tokugawa Iyesato, president of the Japanese House of Peers, present head of the illustrious Tokugawa family and holder of a court rank of the senior second grade, is in Seattle on a sight-seeing and pleasure trip that will take him around the world before he returns to Japan. He was the guest of Acting Japanese Consul K. Hayashi at luncheon today and later in the afternoon made an automobile tour of the city as the guest of President J.D. Lowman of the Chamber of Commerce. He will be the guest at a banquet given in the Rainier Club tonight by the Chamber of Commerce, eleven American and eight Japanese guests dining with the official party.

On his trip across the Pacific, aboard the Japanese liner Awa Maru, the prince was one of the most democratic passengers aboard. Having been educated in England he speaks English with an almost pure accent and he joined in all the deck sports, and saloon pastimes, finally leaving the vessel at Smith Cove about 8 o'clock last night one of the best liked of the passengers.

The Japanese prince has a keen appreciation of the American thirst for personal interviews, and this morning, through his private secretary, H. Shitara, gave out the following statement:

"The object of my present journey is to visit the Anglo-Japanese Exhibition in London and to look at places of interest on the way. I have no other object in crossing America beyond desiring to see for myself the immense development which has taken place there and also to refresh my recollection of the time when I passed through this country before. My present journey has no official or political significance whatever and I am undertaking it in quite a private capacity and only for my own personal enjoyment.

Cannot Imagine War.

"From time to time the newly coined phrase "The Japanese-American War" appears in the foreign newspapers in Japan, but I personally cannot imagine such a thing taking place. America has assisted materially in Japan's progress and civilization and is her benefactor with whom the best terms of cordiality and friendship exist. I sincerely hope therefore that the friendly relations which so happily exist between our two countries may remain unchanged for many years, and indeed I am convinced that this will be the case.

"From Seattle I am going by the Great Northern Railroad through Chicago to Pittsburg, where I hope to visit the Carnegie Steel Works. From there I intend to go direct to Washington, where I expect to spend a few days. During my stay in Washington I hope to have the honor of being presented to the President. If I have the time I hope to go through Philadelphia to New York, where I shall embark on the Mauretania, which sails for Liverpool on May 11.

"I shall return to Japan by Europe and the Siberian Railway."

Prince Tokugawa, as his brief personal biography shows, is the sixteenth heir to the shogun Tokugawa Iyeyasu, and was born July 11, 1863. He is decorated with the Grand Cordon of the Rising Sun. He has been president of the House of Peers since 1903. He went to England in June, 1877, remaining until 1882.

Might Be Ruling Family.

What Prince Tokugawa's personal explanation does not say, but what Japanese historians contend is, that the Tokugawa family might have been the rulers of Japan now had they desired it. Prior to the restoration forty-three years ago, the Shogun Tokugawa was the virtual ruler, the Mikado at that time holding himself aloof from all state affairs. It was the Tokugawa family that negotiated the treaties that opened Japan to foreign countries and paved the way for later development. Instead of accepting an opportunity for full control the Tokugawa family gave control of state matters to the Emperor.

Accompanying Prince Tokugawa is M. Sengoku, son of Viscount Sengoku, and secretary of the House of Peers, and H. Shitara, private secretary to the prince. A private individual steward, Gyonese Nishigori, attends the prince. Before he left the ship Prince Tokugawa made lavish presents to those aboard with whom he came in contact and complimented the officers, both on the ship and on the service aboard. The boat reached port a day ahead of its schedule, a circumstances that gave Prince Tokugawa an opportunity to see the city and meet his countrymen here.

More than 2,000 persons, most of them Japanese, were at the Smith Cove Docks when the Awa Maru arrived. A string of twenty-five automobiles was drawn up to receive the party, Wagner's Band played patriotic airs on the dock and Japanese enthusiasts lustily cried their "banzais" as the boat drew in.

President Lowman, of the Chamber of Commerce, headed a reception committee that greeted the prince abroad the Awa Maru. In the committee were Josiah Collins, chairman of the reception committee of the Chamber of Commerce; Acting Consul K. Hayashi, of Seattle; Consul C. Yada, of Vancouver; C.T. Takahashi, president of the Japanese Association of Seattle; M. Furuya, T. Arai and several other prominent Japanese business men of Seattle.

Mayor Extends Welcome.

A letter of welcome from Mayor H.C. Gill was presented to the prince aboard the ship, and President Lowman welcomed him to Seattle on behalf of commercial organizations of the city. In his letter to the prince Mayor Gill said:

"On behalf of the citizens of Seattle, I wish to extend to you the courtesies of the city and to assure you that you will be welcome so long as you remain our guest.

"My only regret is that a previous engagement prevented me from greeting you in person upon your arrival, but I trust I shall have the honor of meeting you before you depart.

"The interests of Japan and America -- especially the west coast of our nation -- are, in many respects, identical, and I am sure your highness will find the people of Seattle willing at all times to foster and promote the friendship that exists between the subjects of the Mikado and the citizens of the United States.

"Trusting that your visit here will be one that you will long remember, and again assuring you of our lasting friendship for the nation you represent, I have the honor to be, Prince.

"Your Royal Highness" most obedient servant.

"H.C. GILL, Mayor."

As Prince Tokugawa and his party were escorted down the gangplank, the Japanese throng on the dock cheered lustily, forming a guard of honor as the party walked to the waiting automobiles. Accompanied by J.D. Lowmen, the prince and the two Japanese consuls were taken immediately to the Washington Hotel. Later in the evening the prince and the two consuls went out for a stroll through the business district of the city.

After the luncheon party at the residence of Consul Hayashi today, the visiting party was taken for an automobile trip about the city, later going to the Japanese assembly hall at Washington and Maynard Streets for an informal reception tendered by Seattle Japanese.

After the banquet at the Rainier Club tonight, Prince Tokugawa will be the guest of no other organization until he reaches Pittsburg, where he is to make a thorough inspection of the Carnegie steel works. His party starts East tomorrow morning over the Great Northern, James J. Hill having placed a private car at the visitor's disposal. C.W. Meldrum, city passenger agent of the Great Northern, will accompany the party as far East as St. Paul.

Guests at the Chamber of Commerce banquet tonight will be:

Prince I. Tokugawa, president Japanese House of Peers; M. Sengoku, secretary Japanese House of Peers; C. Yada, Japanese consul, Vancouver, B.C.; K. Hayashi, acting Japanese consul, Seattle; H. Shitara, private secretary to Prince Tokugawa.

Prominent local Japanese present will be C.T. Takhashi, M. Furuya, T. Arai, K. Hiradi, Y. Osawa, O. Yomaoka, Mr. Yatsuyanagi, K. Setsuda.

Seattle guests are: J.D. Lowman, president Chamber of Commerce; Josiah Collins, chairman reception committee, Chamber of Commerce; H.C. Gill, mayor; F.W. Baker, vice-president Chamber of Commerce; E.F. Blaine, honorary commercial commissioner to Japan from Seattle Chamber of Commerce; H.W. Treat, honorary commercial commissioner to Japan from Seattle Chamber of Commerce; Joseph Blethen, trustee Chamber of Commerce; Hon. C.H. Hanford, trustee Chamber of Commerce; C.S. Miller, member Chamber of Commerce; C.B. Yandell, secretary Chamber of Commerce; J.B. Nelson, correspondent Associated Press.