sited this country.

So it was that Japan was opened to the world. In 1901 the Japanese
Minister of Justice said: "Commodore Perry's visit was, in a word, the
turn of the key which opened the doors of the Japanese Empire. Japan has
not forgotten--nor will she ever forget--that, next to her reigning and
most beloved sovereign, whose rare virtue and great wisdom is above all
praise, she owes her present state of prosperity to the United States of
America." "Are you coming over here to fight us?" a young Japanese in
this country was playfully asked. "Fight the United States?" he
exclaimed. "The United States is our friend." And drawing himself up to
his full height, he said proudly, "The Japanese do not forget. We know
what your Commodore Perry and your country have done for us."

The American flag was first seen in China in 1784. The Chinese said it
was "as beautiful as a flower," and for many years they always spoke
of it as the "flower flag."

A custom of great significance and value, that of raising the home
flag over legations and consulates in foreign lands whenever a home
holiday comes around, is due to the tact and ready wit of one of our
Ministers to Sweden, William W. Thomas, Jr. The following is his own
account of the event:--

On taking possession of the archives and property of the United
States at Stockholm, I was surprised to find there was no
American flag there. Talking with my colleagues, the Ministers
of other countries, I was informed that no foreign Minister at
Stockholm ever hoisted his country's flag, and that to do so
would be considered a breach of diplomatic etiquette.

What was I to do? I did not wish to offend my good friends, the
Swedes; that was the last thing a Minister should be guilty of.
And I certainly did not want to see an American holiday go by
without hoisting the American flag from the American Legation.
The question troubled me a great deal.

All at once a thought seized me, like an inspiration. I sent to
America for a flag. I procured flagstaff and halyards, and from
my own drawings I had carved an American eagle, which was gilded
and perched on top of the flag pole. Flag, eagle, and staff I
concealed in the Legation, and bided my time.

Undoubtedly the greatest character Sweden has ever produced is
Gustavus Adolphus. His life and deeds belong not to Sweden
along, but to the world