Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-10

| terals most favorabiy situated for manu-
! featuring and your skill in manufacturing
and commerce is such that you must have
world market. large part of that mar
ket in the future will be found here on
this side of the globe
In Rivals Markets.
'T suppose Japan expects to have its
share of the market of China?''
Eyes, of course replied Marquis Ito.
eve hope to DO our share of the work and
trade of this side of the world. We are
however. but small country, and in num-
her We are comparatively few. We have
now population of about forty-three mill
lions We need more capital. and our PEG
pie are now thinking that they could make
profitable combinations with your people in
manufacturing here for the Chinese. VIC
are on the ground. We understand the field
and the natives of the different countries.
and by such combinations We could both do
better than either could alone
Did the China War Help Japan:
What is the present situation in Japan
as affected by your war with China? Was
the war a benefit TO the Japanese?'
I'm some respects 1t was and in some re-
spects not" replied Marquis Ito. LAS far
as stimulating new enterprises was con-
ccrned it gave everything a push We have
more factories and are doing more business
than We have ever done. The times are
fairly good. and our people are making
money. The war very materially helped
the standing of Japan among the great pow
ers of the world, and l think it has on the
whole been good thing for Japan
why DO you say on the whole, your eN-
cellency? Are there any respects in which
IT was not a good thing?"
Yes said Marquis Ito. But even In
these things it may eventually turn out for
good. We have considerable trouble to
make the people see and do the right thing.
/ mean in parliament We are young ma
ton in western methods, and nations grow
slowly. They are. like men, sometimes apt
to do indiscreet and rash things in their
youth. We are largely controlled by public
opinion. and this changes with the times.
and in some cases it seems TO me not al
ways for the best"
The New Japan and the Treaties.
but, your excellency, said /, you have
been with the new Japan from its begin
ming, can you look back and not be salts
fed with your wonderful progress?"
Il am satisfied with many things, and
there are many which think might be bet
tered. Our people have not yet learned to
govern themselves, at least We have not by
any means Yet reached the perfection of
government. l doubt not we shall improve
by experience, but l should like to see the
march Of Improvement more rapid than
it is
How about the new treaties which went
into effect last year? Do they really give
Americans better opportunities to travel
and do business in Japan than they had be-
fore?'
Yes, indeed was Marquis Ito's reply
"Our whole empire is now open to foreign
trade and residence. Foreigners can travel
everywhere without passports. They can
establish factories and other industries. and
as far as business is concerned they have
eli the Cpportun possessed by our own
~ D1t1a h.- u 10 To- Low
and have in every respect almost the same
rights and privileges possessed by the Jap
anese. They cannot acquire property in fee
simple. but they can secure it on long
leases, which accomplish practically the
same ends. 1 hope and trust the new
treaties Will bring the United States and
Japan into closer commercial relations.
Your people have always been friendly to
in all respects our relations will be more
and more close as time goes on"
The War in the Philippines.
How do you regard our war with the
Filipinos, Marquis Ito?" 1 asked.
II think it is a great mistake on the part
of the Filipinos to fight with the United
States" was the reply. II saw their in
clination to make war even before the
peace treaty was signed and the country
was formally given over to you by Spain
l felt then that should like to do all in
shown Aguinaldo and his party that they
were working Numerically against their
own interests. They should realize that the
occupation Of the Philippines by the United
States is the best thing that could have
happened to the Islands and to themselves
as individuals. If this money which you
are now spending in fighting could have
been used in developing the resources of
the islands it would have Bothered the
condition of all the people. J have no
doubt however. but that you will soon be
able to put down the instruction and that
the Filipinos will see that your occupation
of the country Is the best thing that could
have happened to it,
A Message to Uncle Sam.
At this point the private secretary of the
marquis brought in two glasses of wine,
and drank with the great japanese states
man to the continued friendship of Japan
and the United States. As did so I asked
his eXcelency If he would not through me
send a message to the people Of the United
States. Marquis Ito thought a moment,
and then replied:
You may say for me to your people that
Japan has the friendliest feeling toward her
good and great friend. the United States.
We have been associated together for years
in the family of nations, and have never
had a quarrel nor a disagreement The
United States has always shown herself to
be Japans friend and the Japanese appre-
ciate that fact. ard wish to reciprocate for
it in every Way We can. You may say that
We are therefore especially glad that you
have become one of the countries of the
western Pacific, and we sincerely hope that
you may find here a profitable field of COM
merce and investment.
LAS far as l am personally concerned.
Marquis Ito went on, with considerable
feeling, Il wish to express my kind regard
for the people and government Of the