『Commercial Club』 （1909.12.09） p.4-8
ENTERTAINMENT OF THE HONORARY
COMMERCIAL COMMISSIONERS
OF JAPAN
The Commercial Club has, during past years, entertained many distinguished and interesting personages, and these guests have gone away with a most generous feelling of pride and delight in the greetings and hospitality extended to them. When it was announced that the Honorary Commercial Commissioners of Japan were coming to visit us the General Secretary and his associates anticipated a genuine treat in entertaining the little brown men of the Orient. However, it was with some trepidation that they prepared the plans in face of the fact that so few of the Commissioners could speak English. However, it didn't take the entertainers long to find out that a lack of knowledge of the English language was of very little bother to the Japanese, for they were adept in understanding "signs", especially certain "signs", and they could go to their entertainers, one, two, three, when the "high sign"was made.
The story of the visit of these wide-awake Commissioners embrace many interesting events as well as instructive features for our own people. They never let an opportunity pass to find out the "how" and the "why" of everything shown and every place visited. There were in the party quite a number of expert sketch artists and architects, and every place visited these artists would seemingly divide this work among themselves, each taking a part, and in this way they would secure the whole plan.
The most striking feature about them was their extreme politeness and delicacy of thankfulness for every courtesy extended. They were also fearful of intruding, and would have to be asked before advancing.
Friday morning the fifty-eight commissioners arrived in Kansas City on a special train of nine cars, which were parked at the foot of Twelfth Street. The Commissioners remained on their train except while they were being entertained. Ex-Governor David R. Francis of St. Louis, accompanied the Commissioners to Kansas City as the special escort and commissioner representing the Kansas City commercial Club, and materially assisted in the functions of the day.
Baron Shibusawa, head of the party of Japanese, while standing on the rear platform of the observation car of the special train, near the depot, and waiting for the entertainment committee said, "We have brought a message to the people of America. Before our people left Japan all of the principal commercial bodies held special meetings and adopted resolutions embodying the spirit of lasting friendship in Japan for the United States. We have found that feeling is fully reciprocated here. We have been overwhelmed with kindness and hospitality." Waving his hand toward the string of motor cars and the party that was waiting to do him and his party honor, he further said: "There―there, you see it: we have been in America since September 1st, and have been travelling over all your vast country, from the Pacific to the Atlantic, and half way back again, and everywhere we have been honored as we are being honored in Kansas City to-day. We are charmed by the cordiality of your greeting. We expected, of course, to receive a cordial greeting in your country, but the welcome extended has been greater than we looked for. The chief object of our visit is to study the industrial and business institutions of this country, with a view of seeing what articles can be exchanged profitably between the two countries; but in addition to that, we desire so far as it lies in our power, to cultivate an even closer bond of friendship than that which now exists between the United States and Japan."
The Commissioners were then taken in charge by the reception committee and escorted to the Commercial Club, where an informal reception was extended to the Commissioners and which was participated in by the business men of Kansas City, and which was one of the largest of the kind ever held. In the club rooms the Japanese formed in line with W. T. Bland, the club president at their head, by his side stood Baron shibusawa, Baron Shibusawa does not speak English. M. Zumoto, owner of the Japan Times, Tokio, stood at his side and interpreted for him. Next to Mr. Zumoto was Baron Kanda.
The Commercial Club rooms presented Oriental gorgeousness and Oriental splendor in the mingling and co-mingling of the national colors of the United States and Japan and a beautiful and magnificent flower display.
After the close of the reception at The Commercial Club rooms the party re-entered automobiles and were taken to the Westport high school at 11:30 o'clock. As the Japanese and escorts entered the assembly hall the pupils arose and remained standing until the visitors reached the stage; then the children sang America. Professor S. A. Underwood, principal of the school, introduced C. D. Mill, who in turn introduced Baron Kanda. The Baron delivered an adress, speaking of education in Japan. One striking thing he said was that every child above six years of age was compelled to learn to speak and read English, saying that they recognized that the English language was the universal language and that they desired their people to be so equipped as to sustain themselves wherever they may be placed. In conclusion he told the children that the world was growing smaller as civilization advanced, and that he expected to meet some of them in Japan in the very near future. The Commissioners then inspected the industrial work of the school, and several gymnasium classes gave exhibitions which were highly enjoyable to the visitors.
The party left the school for the Evanston Golf Club at 12:30 o'clock. When leaving the building, Baron Kanda, who himself is an educator and president of the Peer's College of Japan, told professor Underwood that the Westport high school far surpassed anything he had so far seen.
Upon arrival at the Evanston Golf Club a buffet luncheon was served and the "high sign" indulged in to the amusement of quite a number of the entertainers. An automobile ride was then taken over the boulevards and through the cliff drive. On the way to the depot the Commissioners were taken to the Burnham-Munger Mfg. plant on West Eighth Street, where quite a time was spent in investigating not only the system of the work, but the machinery used in the plant. It was interesting indeed to watch the artists in the party make sketches of the different rooms and the processes of manufacturing goods. The Japanese seemed to be especially impressed with the Fitz overalls, and also certain lines of shirts manu factured by this company. On leaving each one of them was presented with a miniature Fitz suit. Afterward they went to the Kingman-moore Implement Supply House, where the Commissioners were entertained by the members of the Western Retail Implement & Hardware Dealers' Association, where they were shown different kinds of agricultural implements in actual operation. Then they returned to their train for preparation for the banquet at the Baltimore Hotel. An hour before the banquet at the Baltimore Hotel was called, the Commissioners had been re-escorted from their train to the reception hall, where a general co-mingling of the Commissioners and their entertainers took place and a cordiality of international amity was celebrated, and again the Japanese distinguished themselves in all the niceties of social intercourse. It was not necessary to wait for an introduction, because the Japanese were as ready to entertain as to be entertained.
A diagram of the banquet hall had been prepared and every American was asked to take in one Japanese and find his place for him, but in the interim before entering the dining hall the visitors had studied the diagram out themselves and did not only know their own seats, but knew the names of the entertainers on each side of them. So, of course, everything so far as the seating was concerned, was done up in strict style. The Japanese and American flags, roses pink, and chrysanthemums white and yellow, were the decorations of the rooms. The guests and visitors were provided with special badges and some of the Japanese wore a number of other medals. Baron Shibusawa wore the second class decoration of the "Order of the Rising Sun." D. R. Francis, Commercial Commissioner of St. Louis and Kansas City, wore the first class decoration of the "Order of the Rising sun," a broad white ribbon with red borders. across his shirt front.
The solemn strains of Kimigayo, the Japanese National Anthem, were played by the band, after which Mr. Bland proposed the health of His Imperial Highness, the Emperor of Japan. This anthem was sung three times by the entire company of Japanese. It sounded like the dignified harmony of some cathedral chant, which made still more noticeable the national contrast of the special yell given immediately afterward by the hosts of the evening.
Rah--Rah--Rah, A--me--ri--ca! Nippon! Nippon! Banzai, Rah!
The Japanese smiled with pleasure as this was repeated substituting Kansas City for the second word "Nippon." Following the toast Judge Bland made a speech of welcome to the visitors, which was repeated in Japanese by Consul General Mizuno. After a short address by Mayor Crittenden, Judge Bland, raising his glass towards the balcony, where the ladies of the party were seated, and proposed "the ladies of Japan and America." This was greeted with applause, after which Baron Shibusawa made an address. His speech was translated by Mr. Zumoto, editor and owner of the Japan Times. After the close of the translation of Baron Shibusawa's speech, Baron Kanda also made a splendid address in English. He was especially complimentary and told the club that he was delighted to be the permitted to speak two hours before midnight instead of two hours after, as had been his fate in other cities.
Honorable David R. Francis, of St. Louis and Kansas City, was presented to the assembly, and made one of his characteristic and interesting speeches. The reception extended to Mr. Francis by the Kansas Citians present was extremely flattering, and much delighted in by himself. He said that Kansas City was the biggest city of its size in the world and that if he was selecting a new home he would come to Kansas City. He hoped to see the mother city and Kansas City hereafter working in closest co-operation. Some facts which Baron Shibusawa probably left out through politeness, were supplied by Mr. Francis. He said that Japan, with less cultivatable area of land than there was in Missouri, provided nourishment for fifty millions of people, while Missouri supported three millions.
The festivities of the evening were brought to a close at eleven o'clock and the last Japanese Commissioner was placed in his carriage and sent to his train, and before midnight the Burlington pulled out for Omaha.
ENTERTAINMENT OF WIVES OF HONORARY
COMMERCIAL COMMISSIONERS
OF JAPAN
Several of the Honorary Commercial Commissioners of Japan who visited Kansas City November 12th, were accompanied by their wives. The ladies of the party were:
Baroness Shibusawa,
Baroness Kanda,
Madame Horikoshi,
Madame Mizuno,and
Miss Takanashi.
In the entertainment provided for our distinguished guests, the ladies of the party were not overlooked. When they arrived in Kansas City they were met by the wives of the members of the Entertainment Committee of The Commercial Club, who took them for a short ride over the boulevard system, concluding the drive at the Country Club, where a luncheon was served.
Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Clendening acted as host and hostess for the Club. Although the Japanese ladies spoke English, they realized that it was somewhat imperfect and in order that they might feel perfectly at home, Mr. Kiichi Harada, a grain merchant in the Board of Trade building, kindly volunteered his services to Mr. Clendening to act in the capacity of private secretary so that those assisting in the entertainment of the ladies were as follows:
Mrs. E. J. Roe,
Mrs. C. J. Carter,
Mrs. C. J. Schmelzer,
Mrs. Walton H. Holmes,
Mrs. Charles D. Mill,
Mrs. Eugene Rust,
Mrs. Dougherty,
Mrs. B. T. Whipple,
Mrs. E. M. Clendening.
The luncheon was served in the main dining room of the Country Club, the tables being decorated with Maryland beauty roses and a decorative scheme which was much admired had been arranged for the windows of the dining room toward the south, this decoration consisting of natural vines with wisteria attached, so that the luncheon party had as a canopy the wisteria, which is one of the famous flowers of Japan.
The absence of Baroness Shibusawa, who was ill, was much regretted, and her illness prevented Miss Takanashi from taking part in the Kansas City entertainment. The Japanese ladies with the committee were invited by Mrs. W. R. Nelson to take tea at her home. Mrs. Nelson invited many of her neighbors to meet the Japanese ladies and the reception at the Nelson home was a delightful compliment to the visiting ladies.
At night, while the men of the party were being entertained by The Commercial Club directors, the members of the Entertainment Committee and the former presidents, in the main banquet room of the Baltimore Hotel, the wives of the officers and directors acted as hostesses for the Japanese ladies at a dinner which was served in the Japanese room of the Baltimore Hotel. At the conclusion of the dinner, the ladies repaired to the balcony of the banquet room, where they heard the speeches that were delivered during the evening.
The wives of the officers and directors who participated in this dinner were:
Mrs. W. T. Bland,
Mrs. E. M. Clendening,
Mrs. F. D. Crabbs,
Mrs. J. H. Neff,
Mrs. F. P. Neal,
Mrs. Henry H. Allen,
Mrs. Thornton Cooke,
Mrs. F. W. Fleming,
Mrs. W. B. Hill,
Mrs. W. A. Moses,
Mrs. F. J. Moss,
Mrs. J. R. Ranson,
Mrs. Leon Smith,
Mrs. J. C. Swift,
Mrs. H. B. Topping,
Mrs. J. M. Townley,
Mrs. D. M. F. Weeks.
N. Takatsuji, director of the Kanegafuchi Spinning Co., Ltd., Japan, left with the Industrial Commissioner, a magnificently illustrated book, showing what their company represented, and also the many plans for the benefit of their employees, etc. This company owns and operates seventeen cotton mills, located in different portions of Japan, with 301,360 spindles and 700 looms; also two silk mills with 15,300 spindles. Their annual production of yarn amounts to 180,000 bales of 400 pounds each. This company exported 30 per cent of the total export of cotton yarn from Japan during the last seven years. They have a capital subscribed of yen 14,000,000, capital paid up, yen 7,850,000, reserved fund, yen 5,162,000, funds for special purposes, yen 658,000, balance carried forward for one-half year, yen 748,000. A seperate booklet illustrates and explains the manner of taking care of their operatives. We give herewith a synopsis of the contents of the book, which will give some idea of the scope and details, of the work:
Educational Work:―
Operatives' School.
School for Female Operatives.
Kindergarten.
Publication of Periodicals.
Lectures and Recitations.
Female Etiquette.
Arrangements for the Sick, the Injured and the Deceased:―
Relief by the "Kyosai Kumiai" (Mutual Relief League.)
Relief by the Company.
Arrangements in Connection With Food, Clothing and Dwellings:―
Dormitories for the Female Operatives.
Dormitories for the Male Operatives.
Tenements.
Cooking Quarters.
Delivery Offices of Rice and Sundries.
Co-operative Society.
Sanitary Arrangements:―
Infirmaries.
Contagious Disease Hospital and Bacteriological Laboratory,
Arrangements for Giving Patients the Benefit of a Change of Air
Laundries.
Sanitoria.
Arrangements for the Recreation and Comfort of the Operatives:―
Recreation Halls.
Holiday Gatherings.
Committee of Welfare.
Support for the Children of the Operatives:―
Pecuniary Assitance for Bringing up the Operatives' Infants.
Nurseries.
Annuity System.
Savings and Remittance to Families.
Communication of the Company with the Operatives' Families.
Box for Suggestions.
Each one of these seperate divisions is thoroughly illustrated, so that the eye can see as well as the ear can hear, what is done.
The Industrial Commissioner would be pleased to exhibit this book to any manufacturer or employer of labor in Kansas City. It is worthy of the inspection of anyone.
One of the most striking and important developments of the auto trip of the Commissioners over the city and visits to some of our industries and other places of interest was the lack of knowledge on the part of many Kansas Cityans of their own city as well as what lines of goods and wares are manufactured in Kansas City. This should not be, and the Commercial Club hopes to enter upon a campaign of education as to "things made at home."
（『渋沢栄一伝記資料』第32巻p.329-337掲載）
- 都市詳細 カンサスシテー - 渡米実業団
〔渋沢栄一記念財団 渋沢栄一〕
http://www.shibusawa.or.jp/eiichi/1909/city/c45_kansascity.html
