The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-08-06
BOUND FOR JAPAN
Minister Tateno Arrives
From Washington.
RECALLED BY THE EMPEROR.
His Three Years Term of Office
Has Now Expired.
EXPRESSED VIEWS ON THE WAR.
MIR. Tateno Has Something to Say on
the Cause of the TroubIe-COn.
fident of the Result.
RECALLED BY THE EMPEROR.
EXPRESSED VIEWS ON THE WAR.

Coco Tateno, ex-Japanese Minister to
the United States at Washington. arrived
ia this city yesterday from. the capital en-
route for Japan, and is registered at the
Occidental. He is accompanied by his
wife and daughter and his wife's niece
They leave for home tomorrow by the
Gaelic.
Mr.. Tateno is quite a distinguished
Japanese. he is not related in any way
to the royalty, but from his early youth
was educated with view TO taking ONCE
under the Government. At the time OF
the breaking out of the Franco-Prussian
war in 1870 Mr. Tateno was a student, sent
by the imperial Government to pursue his
studies in Europe. He passed five years
in London, Paris and other cities.
Returning to his native land in 1887,
Mr. Tateno was appointed under-chamber-
lain of the imperial household. and when
General Grant visited Japan in 1882 Mr..
Tateno was chief of the reception commit
tee appointed by the Emperor to entertain
the visitors. In this capacity, the ex-
General and Mrs. Grant, O'COnn0r Grant
and Mr.. Young. who was afterward
limited States Minister TO China. Mr..
Tateno showed his visitors all there was
TO be seen and gave them good time gen.
orally.
Alter this Mr.. Tateno was appointed
Governor of Osaka, position which he
held until three years ana eight months
ago, when he received the appointment of
japanese Minister to Washington. His
nfice having expired he was recalled by
his Emperor, and is now on his way home.
In person the ex- Minister is short, slight
and dark, his hair slightly tinged with
gray. He speaks English with consider
able f1uency.
The ex-Minister likes America. He is
sorry to leave the country, although he
looks forward to seeing his native shores
again, especially at time when grave
dangers threaten his country. Not that
he is afraid Of the issue, by any means.
He is supTemely confident IN the powers
eff the Japanese to hold their own against
the mighty hordes that the Chinese En-
peror can send swaTming into the field.
He agrees that the war VIII be a bitter
one, but he does not think that II will ever
pass the boundaries of Korea.
"Since l left Washington on Tuesday
evening last" said Minister Tateno,
"some important changes have taken
place in regard to this difficulty. For in
stance, when left war had not been Off
cially declared. There had been two or
three fights, which 1 rejoiced to see had
resulted favoTaOly to our cause; but what
is now war was then little more than
disturbanc Now that war Is declared it
is extremely difficult for me to express an
opinion; but of this l assure you, that in
my opinion the Japanese are wiling and
even anxious tn fight.
"Of course, do not know how much
Information you may have respecting the
real cause for this war. l think l know
the truth. and | will tell you.
You see, from time TO tins there have
been frequent disturbances among the
Korean people. These disturbances affect
very much the interests Of Japan in that
country. They regard their Interests
there as larger than those of any other
country. there being japanese traders
there in large plumbers, plenty OF business
done. and certainly mora than the Chi
nese can lay claim to-
But these disturbances have become too
frequent. During the past ten years our
legation at Korea has twice been burned
down by rebels, and twice our Minister
Plenipotentiary had narrow escape from
losing his life. As it was, many traders
and others of our nation were killed.
while numbers of their women and chill
dren were rescued by American marines.
NOW, according to our treaty with
Korea, if any disturbance happens to
seriously affect our interests in that coun-
try we have the right to send troops and
marines there to protect our settlers.
And, according to another treaty which
we have with China, the treaty Of Ten-Sin,
if either the Chinese or Japanese Govern
ment sends troops TO Korea 1t must give
notice of so doing to the other Govern
mPnt.
"WelI, at the beginning of May of this
year very serious disturbances occurred
in Korea, and our Interests there were
again seriously threatened. When this
happened the Chinese Government sent a
body of troops TO the country upon the
request of the Korean King. OF this
move no notice whatever was accorded US,
so, as soon as we heard Of il, fearing The
issue, we sent our own troops over to pro-
tect our interests.
"Then," said Mr.. Tateno, mark the
action taken by the Chinese Government
They said, look here, Japanese, YOU must
withdraw We answered, No, why
should WEEP The answer we received
was: 1t is we, the Chinese. and not you,
who are requested to protect this country
by the King of Korea We said: on,
no; that is not right, look at our treaty.
If you withdraw, so will we; otherwise,
we remain At the same time we re-
quested the King of Korea 10 reform his
administration. We told the Korean Gov
eminent that there must be radical changes
made from time to time. There must DE
less taxation, and altogether less despotism
rampant. Our wishes have not been
oboved; we are defed by the Chinese, and
hence the preliminary encounters which
have resulted in war being declared be-
tween China and Japan"
what. in your opinion, are the chances
of the war being carried to the length of
an invasion Of either country by the
Other?" was asked.
81 don't think it will come to that"
was the reply. my personal opinion is
that after the desperate fighting that is
bound to take place In Korea has como to
al end the war will end also. The navy
of neither country will dare to visit the
other. Both countries are too well forti-
fed for that"
DO you apprehend any interference
from European powers 2"
No. So long as British and Russian in
terests are not seriously affected those
countries will remain passive. l do not
apprehend any such troub le."
And which country will prove victori-
Gus in the end 2"
'Oh. we shall win. of course. We've