Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-10-21

interesting conversation with the President.
1t was the desire of President Roosevelt
to give a dinner in honor of the visiting
Japanese. and, indeed. he pressed the mar
quis to accept an invitation to dinner on
the Goth instant, which is about the earliest
date that formal dinner would be in or
der at the White House. But the marquis
was obliged to decline this invitati tion as it
would conflict with his engagement to at
tend the Yale bi-centennial. So the Presi-
dent was obliged to content himself with
Marquis 1to's company at luncheon today
at the White House. Secretary Hay and
Mr.. TsudZuki completed the party
After leaving the White House the mar
quis and his secretary called at the State
Department and paid their respects to Sec
retary Hay and Assistant Secretary Hill,
and then spent some time in a drive about
town.
Looking Remarkably Well.
The Marquis Ito is looking remarkably
well considering the reports Of his iH-health
which have been in circulation. He walks
firmly and carries himself erectly. He is
man of middle statue by our standards, but
would be regarded as above the average
height in Japan. A sparse beard. perfectly
black in spite of his mature years, rather
takes away from the oriental cast of his
features, which, indeed. have a strength,
and express determination consistent with
the Marquis 1to'S record as one of the
epoch-makers of Japan.
Today he wore American clothing of fash
ionable cut, frock coat and dark trousers
and soft hat. and wore them one used
to the raiments of civilization Mr. Tsud-
Zuki was clothed in the same style, and
together with the marquis and his secre-
tary fully met the standards of high civili-
zation in manner, attire and conduct.
The marquis Is in the United States on
his present visit for his health and also to
receive degree that will be conferred upon
him by Yale. More than year ago he was
notified by the faculty of Yale that the
degree would be conferred upon him and
he promised to be present at the services,
which will take place at New Haven this
week. A number Of young men from Japan
have graduated from the university and the
marquis is interested in seeing what kind
Of an institution 1t Is.
The Situation In Japan.
The political situation in Japan has had
the close attention of the students Of orr
entail politics for dozen years. or since the
present constitution was promulgated. The
marquis was practically the author of the
constitution.
Since then he has been the chief figure in
the contests that have been waged almost
without cessation over the question, "Shall
the imperial ministries represent and be
responsible to the party at the time in
power in the parliament, or shall the pro-
vision Of the constitution which makes
them responsible to the emperor only stand
unmodified?'
The marquis has resisted the demand for
responsible ministers and party govern
ments throughout the struggle but within
the last two years he has been the founder
and Is now the leader of a party called the
Constitutional Party Association. The OBJ
ject of the party is to preserve the letter of
the constitution and at the same time Sc
cure for the empire the benefits of popular
government.
The new parliament of the empire will
meet in December when the fight will be
renewed with vigor and the strength of the
marquis new party will be tested fully
The marquis will not return to Japan be-
fore the first months of the year as he
contemplates spending considerable time on
the European continent
He is apparently in vigorous health and.
is said to give credit for this condition to
the pleasant trip he has made through the
United States
Arrival of Marquis Ito.
Marquis Ito arrived in the city yesterday
afternoon. He was met at the Pennsylva-
mia railway station by the japanese min
lister, Mr.. Takahira, an. the entire legation
staff, who accompanied him to the Airing
ton. During the afternoon he received a
few callers, among them former Secretary
of State John w. Foster
In the evening the marquis was enter
tanned at dinner at the legation. Only the
visiting party. which, in addition to the
marquis. included Mr. K Tsudzuki. ex-vice
minister OF foreign affairs, and Mr.. s, To-