Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1901-02-15
LOST ITS OPPORTUNITY
WHAT MINISTER KATO
SAYS OF JAPAN DIPLOMACY
Close Of the Year Shows Business to
Have Been Very Satisfactory
Demand Of rea---Attitude Of
RuSSia---ChineSe Question.

Correspondence Associated Press)
Yokohama, Jan. 16.-Mr. Kato. Min
lister Of Foreign Affairs, is reported to
have said in a recent interview in ans
wer to the demand that Japan should
enter upon strong foreign policy. that
this empire lost its great opportunity
In failing to protest against the Ger
man seizure Of Kiao Chau and the Rus
sian occupation Of Port Arthur. That.
in his opinion, was the crucial day for
Japan, and 1t is too late now to effectu-
ally stem the tide of encroachment.
In regard to the supposed secret
treaty between Russia and China, Mr.
Kato is reported to have said:
1T is probable that Russia has en-
tered into some understanding about the
disposal Of Manchuria. 1t Is Russia's
usual policy to arrange so that many
diplomatic affairs executed by her rep
resentatives do not emanate from the
Government, but are lef, to tn ediscre-
ton Of her Ministers. When her rep.
resentatives' acts suit the Government
the latter gives Its ratification, but
when It is inconvenient 1t is declared
to be contrary to its views. having been
done on the responsibility Of the Minis
ter concerned, and the latter Is forth
with removed from his post for his al
legged presumption. 1t is not clear
whether or not the present secret treaty
with China was concluded with the in.
structions Of the st. Petersburg Gov
eminent, but the existence Of a treaty
seems to be probable"
The closing and balancing up OF ac-
counts, which Is a confirmed habit Of
all japanese tradesmen and merchants
at the opening Of the new year, scems
to have resulted In far less financial
disaster than was anticipated. No
prominent failures are reported and
business is moving smoothly in its
usual channel. The annual shipping
report showing great increase In the
tcnage Of vessels entering Yokohama
and Kobe, while Nagasaki, owing to
the great activity in China and Manila
affairs, has experienced something like
genuine boom.
The settlement of the Chinese ques.
ton Is still awaited with ever increas-
ing impotence, which will largely &C.
count for the strong opposition to the
American proposal to remove the scene
Of negotiations to Washington. While
the advantages to be gained by such a
move are generally recognized. the
practical objection to the delay which
would result has overshadowed every
other consideration.
The primitive character OF Korean
craftsmanship has been curiously illus
trated by recent demand made upon
the japanese Government by the Min
lister Of that country that Korean poll
teal refugees now in Japan should Ia
handed over or banished to some re-
mote region Of foreign country. Not
only are the men In question living
very quiet and inoffensive lives here,
but their Government seems to have
no conception Of civilized usage in the
matter. It Is needless to say that the
japanese Government will take no
notice whatever of the demand.
| The harbor OF Yokosuka, where a
majority Of the japanese naval force IL
now gathered. presents a most splendid
appearance, and is calculated to i'm
press every foreigner with vivid con.
ception OF the country's naval strength.
When It is remembered that scarcely
thirty years ago the empire knew ot
nothing except old junks, the advance
made in that line is nothing less than
astonishing.
Everything is quiet in political
spheres, but 1t is anticipated that when
the Diet reassembles on the 26th inst.
there will be some music. The excep.
tional strength OF the Cabinet is, how.
ever, generally recognized, and under
the able guidance OF Marquis Ito 1t Is
confidently expected to weather any
political storm.