Evening star., 1898-11-21
Mr.. Komura Talks Interestingly About
Japan's Progress.
GOOD FEELING TOWARD This COUNTRY
Trouble Not Feared Over the
Eastern Question.
n o w R E ECTE D

Mr.. j. komura envoy extraordinary and
minister plenipotentiary of Japan to The
United States to succeed Mr.. Hoshi, ar
rived In Washington yesterday afternoon.
He was met at the depot by attaches of
the legation end escorted to the legation
house on N street. Mr.. Komura will be
presented TO the President some time this
week.
A Star reporter who called upon Mr.
komura this morning was cordially greeted
by the new minister and accorded an in
terestinS interview. Mr.. komura Is a type
of the cultivated japanese gentleman, pol
lshed IN manner, cOnversant with the Eng
Esh language and with the politics and in
stitutions of countries other than his own
He came to the United States in 1873 after
having passed through the best educational
institutions of his land and entered Har-
Vard law school. fl ON which he graduated
He then returned to Japan and entered
lhe olplomauc service. holding several i'm
portant posts with distinction. When the
war between China and Japan broke out
Mr. konIura was Japanese charge d'affaires
at Peking. He was subsequently, minister.
10 Corea was administrato tor of the con-
quered chinese province and was assistant
secretary or state at the time he was
chosen to succeed Mr.. Hoshi at Washing
ton.
improvement i'll His Country.
Since the close Of the war with China"
said Mr.. Kolnura today, Japan has be an
deVotlng herself to promoting her material
and industrial interests The efforts of our
people have been successful, and the conn
try is rapidly improving. The future. I
think. is very bright for Japan, and within
the next few years we will make great
s1aiues IN advancement to prominent
place among the nations of the earth
al frc
the United States which will be shared by
other countries, will go into effect and
winch Will greatly enlarge commercial and
Industrial opportunities Heretofore for
elSners nave been debarred from residing
IN or conducting commercial operations in
the interior of Japan. They were restricted
10 the open ports. not more than five or
six in number. Under the provisions of the
new treaty, foreigners may go anywhere in
the interior establishing their trading
pouses and enjoy all the privileges of free
ports They may Incorporate their capital
with Japanese subjects, and We expect to
see heavy investments of capital in local
enterprises. Americans will ALWAYS be well
come in japan, for we have not only great
admiration, but warm attachment, for the
United States their institutions and MOO
pie"
''Will there be a continuance of these
friendly relattons?" he was asked.
Relations with This Country
THE political relations between Japan
and the United States are | am happv to
say. o. most cordial nature do not
anticipate any friction over the question of
japanese residents of Hawaii, in the alb
sorption of that government by the United
States. The japanese laborers In the is
lands Will remain subjects of Japan and
be regarded only sojourners, to return TO
their native land when they have accumu-
lated earnings | cannot anything in
the future which threatens to disturb the
good feeling now existing between japan
and the United States
How does your government regard the
attitude of the United States toward the
Phiiippincs?" Mr.. komura was asked.
We will view favorably whatever the
United States may determine to do to Sc
cure the fruits of victory. 1t would seem
that the people of this nation have about
made up their mind to retain all the is
lands AS the outcome of victorious war
such action would meet with the entire ap-
probation of the japanese. who would not
question the right of the conquering ma
uon. Our trade with the Philippines has
been growing rapidly in recent years We
sell them coal and buy tobacco and sugar
but there should be no disturbance of com
mcrcial relations by the change in owner
ship of TIE islands,
Mr.. Komura was then questioned about
the general eastern question. his wide dip
lomatic experience making his opinion upon
that subject valuable
The Eastern Question.
II do not expect to see trouble between
the great powers over the eastern ques
tion,' he said. I'VE hear talk of a parti-
ton of China, but | do not apprehend that
it Is imminent. There is already parti-
ton of commercial interests of the powers
in China, but the Chinese empire is not to
be dismembered.
Neither do l fear war between any of
of the European powers over their COM
mercial interests in China Conflicting
claims and competing industries will exist,
to be sure, but not to degree, in my
opinion, to threaten the peace of the
orient. The relations between China and
Japan will remain satisfactory. The EN-
press Dowager Of China with whom the
emperor is dividing the power of govern
ment, is friendly to The emperor, who
was reported dead, is still alive and has
not been deposed, alleged
ROBBERY ABOARD TRAIN