Title: "6/7/1914," Seattle Times, 6/7/1914, (ddr-densho-56-253)
Densho ID: ddr-densho-56-253

MIKADO'S MIDDIES DUE HERE JUNE 27

Fourteen of Most Influential Japanese of Seattle Named on Entertainment Executive Committee.

With the election of fourteen of the most influential Japanese residents of Seattle to comprise an executive committee and 150 others as workers on a general committee, the Seattle chapter of the Japanese Association of North America yesterday opened a campaign to make the local reception and entertainment to be extended the Japanese naval training ships Asama and Azuma upon their visit here the latter part of this month, the most elaborate of any on this coast.

H.H. Okuda was elected chairman of the executive committee and M. Furuya treasurer. The other members are C.T. Takahashi, I. Tsukuno, D. Matsumi, C. Ito, Rev. O. Inoxuye, S. Arima, U. Shibata, K. Hirade, K. Setsuda, H. Toyama, J. Iwamura, A. Shinowara, T. Arai, J. Kato and K. Takeuchi.

The two Japanese vessels will reach Seattle about June 27. They left Yokohama April 20, arrived at Honolulu May 6, at Hilo May 16, at San Pedro May 31 and at San Francisco May 6. Their itinerary further includes Vancouver, B.C., Victoria, B.C., Seattle and Tacoma. At every port thus far visited great receptions have been tendered the representatives of the Mikado.

Veterans of War.

The Asama and Azuma are both veterans of the Japanese-Russian War, of the first-class cruiser type. The Asama, commanded by Captain Yashiro, now minister of the navy, sank two Russian cruisers off the Korean port of Chemulpo in that memorable conflict. She was built in 1898, is 442 feet long, sixty-two feet in beam with a draft of twenty-four feet and has a displacement of 9,700 tons.

The officers of the Asama are Capt. T. Hiraga, in command; Commander J. Nango, first officer; Lieutenant-Commander S. Yonemura, chief navigator, and Lieutenant-Commander F. Arso, chief engineer.

The Azuma was built in France in 1899, is 452 feet long, fifty-nine feet in width with a draft of twenty-three feet and a displacement of 9,326 tons. Capt. K. Sato is her commander, with Commander Hiroshi Furukawa as first officer, Lieutenant-Commander K. Kato, chief navigator, Lieutenant-Commander S. Yasuzumi, chief engineer.

Vice-Admiral T. Kuroi is in command of the squadron with Commander S. Komaki and Lieut. K. Arima as aids.

Thirty-seven officers are carried by the Asama, sixty cadets. Seventeen warrant officers and 677 minor and uncommissioned officers and sailors, making a total of 791. The Azuma has a total complement of 762 officers and men.