Mr. Foreign Minister, on my own account and on behalf of the officers present from the United States Ship Astoria, permit me to thank you for your hospitality, and even more to thank you for the kind sentiments which you have expressed.
It has been the Astoria's part to be the means for putting into concrete form the sincere American feeling of respect and friendship for the late Japanese Ambassador Saito, and you may be assured Americans deeply regret that Mr. Saito's untimely death has removed him from their national life.
I am very grateful, and the officers and men of the Astoria are grateful, for the opportunity of participating in my country's expression of admiration for this renowned Japanese statesman, and I am proud to have had my ship selected for the solemn mission of transporting his ashes home to their final resting place. We are also deeply sensible of the honor accorded us in being permitted to assist in the imposing and reverent funeral ceremonies for the late Ambassador held here in Tokyo yesterday.
We realize that the friendly words which you have addressed to us are directed primarily to the United States Government and the American people. We are fortunate in being here to represent them on this occasion, and it is in their name, therefore, that I accept your appreciation for the safe accomplishment of our mission, and it is in their name that I accept from the Imperial Japanese Government and the Japanese people the generous welcome given to us.
We have all been much impressed by the friendliness of our greeting by the Japanese people, and we are being quite overwhelmed by the hospitality for which that people are so famous.
Again I thank you, Mr. Foreign Minister, for your kindness, and through you I thank your people for the many courtesies which they have extended to us from the time of our arrival. The Astoria will have only a few days in port, regrettably, but none of her ship's company, neither those who have been here before nor those
on their first visit to Japan, will ever forget the cordiality of their reception in this charming and beautiful country.