PRINCE OF WALES

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 15 April 1922, Page 5

PRINCE OF WALES

WELCOMED BY JAPAN

UNPRECEDENTED DISPLAY

BY CABLE—PEESS ASSOCIATION—COPYEIGHT

TOKIO, April 12

The Prince of Wales' welcome was unprecedented in the history of Japan. H.M.S. Renown arrived at Yokohama to the thunder of the guns of twentyone warships. The Prince received various addresses of welcome, and smilingly greeted 40,000 school children lining the route from pier to the station.

There was a continuous bombardment of daylight fireworks from Yokohama to Tokio, where the Prince Regent greeted him at the railway station. Eight Imperial Princes 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 tumultuously, waving countless thousands of Union Jacks. The Empress awaited and received the Prince of Waies on the steps of the palace.

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 fervournvhich made the day one of the most memorable of the tour. The Prince was 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 Jack iv 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 Biilish subject's. 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 Crown 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 Avelcome 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 honourable role played by the AngloJapanese Alliance in the interests of the peace of the Far East, and i.pon the admirable spirit of lojalty 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.