The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-02-16


ern. It has but little control OF the peo-
pie, and it would seem to me that it
must give way to the spirit of the
times
eff so, Your Excellency," said I, what
will take its place? What is TO be the
future of Gilman
81 cannot answer that" was Marquis
Ito's reply ST should like very much to
know. You have seen what has been
proposed and partially accomplished. I
refer to the division of the Chinese En-
pire, so for as trade relations and fields
Of commerce are concerned, among the
great powers. Russia wants the North,
Germany aspires to a slice little fur
Their down. France hopes to control the
trade of the extreme South, and England
would like to claim as hers the great
valley of the Yangste Kiang.'
But where does the United States
come IMP I asked.
THAT remains to be SEEM" was the
reply of the great Japanese statesman
She should, I think, claim. as we do,
that. the whole country should be open
to all the world for trade.
There is to be the outlet for your and
our mapufactures. It seems to me that
the present crisis is an important one
for the United States and that your peo-
pie should give the future Of China SER
ious consideration Personally I should
like to see the United States do all that
is possible to bring agout the consum-
nation of the upen-door policy for Chi
ma
How does Japan regard the coming
Of the United States into Pacific waters?"
asked.
1--WE are indeed glad to welcome the
United States as one Of the permanent
residents of our part of the world" re-
piled Marquis Ito enphatically.
do you think the Philippine Islans
United States?''
Eyes, do said Marquis ITO 'T have
never visited the Philippines, but I have
had opportunities to learn much about
them They are rich islands.
81 believe the time will soon come, IL
it is not already here, when you will
need this Asiatic market. You are grow
ing so fast in wealth and population.
You have enormous supplies Of raw ma
terials most favorably situated for man.
uEacturing( and your skill in manufactur-
ing and commerce is such that you must
have a world market. A large part of
that market in the future will be found
here on this side Of the globe
ST suppose Japan expects to have its
share of the market of China?"
YES, of course" replied Marquis Ito.
We hope to do our share of the work
and trade of this side of the world. We
are, however, but a small country, and
in number we are comparatively few.
"Our people are now thinking that they
could make profitable combinations with
your people in manufacturing here for
the Chinese
what is the present situation in Jap
an as affected by your war with China?
Was the war a benefit to the Japanese?"
''In some respects it was and in some
respects it was not" replied Marquis
Ito. ''As far as stimulating new enter
prises was concerned it gave everything
push The times are fairly good, and
our people are making money. The war
very materially helped the standing of
Japan among the great powers of the
world, and I think it has on the whole
been good thing for Japan"
How about the new treaties which
went into effect last year? Do they
really give Americans better opportuni-
ties to travel and do business in Japan
than they had before?"
Yes, indeed" was Marquis Ito's re-
ply. '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 con-
cerned they have all the opportunities
possessed by our own people. They are
subject to Japanese laws and have in
every respect almost the same rights
possessed by the japanese"
How do you regand our war with the
Filipinos, Marquis Ito?" I asked
II think it is a great mistake on the
part of the FIlipinos 20 fight with the
United States.' was the reply. 81 saw
their inclination to make war even be-
fore the peace treaty was signed"
'"They should realize that the occupa-
ton of the philippines by the United
States is the best thing that could have
happened to the islands and to them
selves 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
bettered the condition Of the people"
At this point the private secretary of
the Marquis brought in two glasses of
wine, and l drank with the great Japan
csc statesman TO the continued friendship
of the United States and Japan. AS I
did 50 I asked his Excellency if he would
not, through me, send message to the
people of the United States. Marquis Ito
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 ma
tons, and never had a disagreement.
LAS for as am personally concerned
Marquis Ito went on, "I wish to express
my kind regard for the people and Gov
eminent OF the United States. I spent
some time in your country years ago,
studying your financial system in your
Treasury Department at Washington.
This was when Gen. Grant was Presi-
dent, when Hamilton Fish was Secretary
of State and George S. Boutwell, was
Secretary of the Treasury. Through
those studies I was able to formulate
the financial system which Japan now
has. and also to acquire much other
knowledge which has been of benefit TO
me and. hope. of value TO my country
Yes. I am and shall be a friend Of the
United States
After these words the Marquis Ito cor
daily shook my hand as he said good
by. At nv request he wrote his auto
srar,h On his phatngraph giving me at