Mr. Griscom to Mr. Hay.

No. 124.]

Sir: Referring to legation unnumbered dispatch of September 19, in relation to the visit of His Imperial Highness, Prince Fushimi, [Page 449] to America, I have the honor to report that on the 10th instant His Highness entertained me and the staff of this legation at dinner at his palace, and that on the 14th I gave a farewell dinner in honor of the Prince, at which were present, in addition to His Highness, Marquis Ito; Field Marshal Marquis Yamagata, chief of staff of the army; Major-General Murata, assistant chief of staff; Lieu tenant-General Terauchi, minister for war; Baron Komura, minister for foreign affairs; six gentlemen of the staff of Prince Fushimi; also the members of this legation. During the course of the dinner I proposed the health of His Majesty, the Emperor of Japan, and Prince Fushimi, in reply, courteously proposed the health of the President of the United States. A toast to the health of Prince Fushimi, wishing him an agreeable voyage to America, was then proposed.

I am informed that the Prince will proceed at once to Washington, and should arrive there about the same time as this dispatch.* * * He is the senior prince in the Empire and comes next to the Emperor in the Imperial councils, according to the Japanese family system. Prince Fushimi is, therefore, of a rank and importance that is deserving of every consideration. He is a soldier, and commanded a division at the battle of Nanshan and during the earlier operations against Port Arthur. He is the highest prince that could have been selected to go to America, in view of the fact that Prince Arisugawa’s health would not permit him to make such a journey. Prince Arisugawa is a closer blood connection of the Emperor and comes next to the Crown Prince in the order of succession, but, as stated before, he is junior to Prince Fushimi in the Imperial councils.

I have, etc.,

Lloyd Griscom.