New-York tribune., 1902-05-24
RUSSIA AND JAPAN.
VIEWS OF NJ MOTONO THE NEWLY AP-
POINTED JAPANESE MINISTER
TO FRANCE.
Paris. Nav IL.


NJ. Motono. the newly appointed Minister In
Paris is now comfortably established at the le-
cation in the Avenue MarCeau. He speaks
French fiuently, and has already visited Paris in
a diplomatic capacity two occasions. first
in 1875 and afterward in 1886. The Japanese
Legation affords striking contrast with that
of China. in the Avenue Hoche, where every
thing is Chinese, and except the minister and
his wife. who is American. scarcely any one
speaks French At the Japanese Legation
everything is Partisan, and every one speaks
French. NJ. Motono is a small wiry man. with
black, sparkling intelligent eyes. partially
masked by heavy gold spectaces. whose con-
versation with representative of the Echo de
Paris" shows that he appreciates the impor-
tance OF the Partisan press.
NJ. Motono. when questioned about the rela-
tions between Japan and China, said most en-
phatcally that il A grave error 10 suppose
that Japan did not want peace. which. in the
words of the minister, was absolutely neces-
sary for her" Moreover" added NJ. Motono
1T should be clearly understood once for all
that my government entertains idea of in
creasing territory. What want TO In
crease is our commerce. both at home and
abroad. and 1t is gratifying TO find that our
trade with foreign countries has doubled within
two years and is steadily growing. For this
reason we are seeking 10 multiply our markets
and make known products You will find
this 10 be the key 10 Japanese diplomacy just
now all over the world. We need for our ma
terial development long period OF peace and
prosperity We ambitious nation and
hope before long 10 triple our exports to Europe
and 20 America"
When asked whether the many instances OF
insurrection reported In China were not a
menace to the integrity of the Chinese Empire.
and have recently visited that country. No
doubt there are revolts and disturbances going
on In some parts OF the vast dominion OF China
all the time but they do not cause the slightest
uneasness fear of foreign complications"
The correspondent Of the Echo de Paris"
which, by the way is the organ OF the military
party In France, observed that the Anglo
Japanese treaty regarded I'm certain quar-
ters as a source of future complications which
might lead to war between Russia and Japan"
NJ. Motono replied Nothing is more inaccurate.
There is not a single clause of the AngIo-Jap-
anese treaty that be interpreted aggres-
sive or as a desire for territorial aggrandizement
for either nation. All that Japan wants is the
integrity of the Chinese Empire and OF Corea
We mean to respect the integrity OF both. II is
however, only fair that should demand that
other countries should observe the same re-
spect."
How about the evacuation by Russia of Man
churia?" That is simply consequence of the
integrity OF Chinese territory, of which Man
chura forms part just as Normandy forms
part of France Russia understands It,
and is preparing 20 withdraw her troops, The
conviction prevails at Toxic that there is moth
ing in the attitude action of Russia in
gard to the impending evacuation of Manchuria
that can be interpreted as showing an unfriend-
ly disposition toward Japan. In fact the
lations between Russia and Japan have never
been more satisfactory than is the just
now" c. /. B.