The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-10
JAPAN OBJECT TO BARRETT?
MOI IRIIS NtDE IS TO PROB l.
ME- NEU MINISTER.
The japanese Ga, eminent Doubtful rs 10
Wisdom al Appoint ment-Mr. Barrett
Nav Agent OF ~. Louis Eair-Mr. Hay
sees President About the Inquiries.

WAsnINGToN, Dee. q.-1he japanese
Minister, MIR 1akahir1. called AT IN" State
Department to-day Ia make some inquiries
of Secretary Hay IN regard TO the report
that john Barrett Of oregon had been
selected by President Roosevelt for ap-
pOlntmont a Minister To Japan, and al-o
To ascertain something about Mr.. Barr"tts
standing ia this country
Tn" inquiries were made in the kndlirst
spirit, and while there wG~ enough III what
Mr. lukahira said To indicate that the
japanese Government wdr doubtful a.
T." TIA" wisdom of the apI ointment, II was
made clear that should tine President carry
oV his desire 10 send Mr. Barrett to Toxic
he would h." received cordially.
The Inquiries and limitations Of the
japanese Minister were not definite enough
10 show that hi. Govcrnurnt objected to
Mr.. Barrett. II" did not make any pro-
test or indicat" that there was any in
t"utiuu Of making any
However matters of li- kind are usually
conducted with the greatest courtesy. care
being taken 10 avoid hurting the feelings
of anybody concerned, and the fact va, not
lost Oh Mr.. Hay that Japan was not salts
fled hat Mr. Barrett was IMAM OF sufficient
standing or experience to Justify hi- APP
poiu'mout to such an important diplo-
matte post.
lie l. AT present engaged a. an agent of
Nh" Louisiana Purchase Exposition, in
inducing Oriental countries to part icipate
Officially IN that affair. He has recently
been IN Toxic. and reports from there said
that he vas cordially received 10y the En-
p"ror who had promised that Japan would
send an official exhibit to the Exposition.
Although Mr. Barrett, il only 80 year, old =.
he has had considerable diplomatic ex-
p"r"ucr. having been the United States
Minister 20 Sian under Pre-. drnt Cleveland,
He MAS then "a Democrat.
Immediately after Nj Takahira left the
Stat" Department, Secretary Hay called
on tn" Pre- ld"u' To inform him of What
m" JAPANESE envoy had said II Vas
minated this evening that thcr" Wa a
prospect that further steps ia the matter
hy japan might u" rendered unnecessary
through ia" dcciiuaiIlu Of Mr. Barrett To
accept the pot.
When last heard from Il" was on his way
from Japan 10 Australia and a telegram was
sent 10 hlm several days ago, asking # he
would accept H. j. credited with recciv-
ing a salary of Sl5O0 aud an annual aX-
peu~c account Of $1,000 from the Louisiana
Purchas" Exposition, and a the Japanr>e
mission pays only sl2 ZOO there j. a h"lef
here that lac Mil prefer TO retain the more
luCrativ" place.
Minister Takahira refused to discuss the
personality ct Mr. Barrett ~ a possible
minister 10 Japan. II" said he has un spo-
CI'.C objections to urg" 10 MI Barrett
Speaking OF the matter the Minister said
japan will have no Objection Ia the
Minister who may be finally chosen Ia carry
forward the enlightened and broad policy
If the United States toward Japan and th"
other Asiaiic countries The final choice
II the President and Seer, tary Hay viii he
cordially arr"eah" 20 Japan"
The Japanese Minister i personally very
friendly with Mr. Barrett