The Honorable Robert Underwood Johnson, distinguished poet and former Ambassador to Italy, not only wrote the poem, "Friends Across the Sea," but traveled to Washington to read it at the official reception of the Japanese Friendship Dolls, and later gave it again a the City Hall ceremonies in New York.

Little sisters of Japan,
Now is distance but a span,
Love has brought our spirits near,
We are there and you are here.

Our sky of yesterday you see,
Yet nearer still we twain shall be,
For Science, childhood's fairy, stands
With new wonders in her hands.

Soon we shall see your very faces,
Note your gayety and graces,
Hear your laughter that rejoices,
Listen for your gentle voices.

We shall know your tender hearts,
We shall revel in your arts,
You shall help us live for beauty
And the loveliness of duty.

In the other each shall find
Something strong and true to bind
Firmer, till the years shall cease,
Our never-broken bond of peace.

Then, at last, Goodwill shall go
Farther than the radio,
And Love, where space was once a bar,
Shall follow thought from star to star.

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