The name seems quite fitting, as they aim to fulfill the important task of
binding the hearts of our children to those of yours by the silken cord of peace
and love. Personally I am particularly delighted to welcome them, because from
now on I shall have no less than fifty-eight fellow ambassadors to assist me.
They can do what I cannot. They will have an unrestricted entrée to the
beautiful world of innocent happiness, disinterested fellowship, an unaffected
fraternity--the world of childhood, the doors of which are but slightly open for
diplomatic officials. The sympathetic understanding thus fostered in young minds
is sure to contribute to international peace and friendship. These dolls are
silent, they do not talk, but sometimes silence is more eloquent than speech.
When one's heart is filled with emotion, one often loses speech. So these dolls
silently but eloquently tell you of the friendly feeling which the children of
Japan entertain for the children of America. The important thing is the spirit
in which they are sent. This, I take it, is the great significance of this
unprecedented exchange of dolls between the children of our two countries. Let
me express my sincere hope that these messengers of friendship and goodwill from
the children of Japan may be taken into the hearts of the children of American,
and may discharge their sacred duties among them in the same manner in which the
American dolls which traveled to our shores last year are fulfilling their
noble mission in our minds.