New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-26
JAPAN AND PHILIPPINES.
Baron Kentaro Kaneko Tells OF
Their Mutual Interests.

Baron Kentaro Kaneko. who arrived in the couh-
try a month ago. and has since been three weeks
in Washington. is again in the city, and Is staying
at the Holland House. The Baron was In the
ministry OF agriculture and commerce for four
years when his interest in economic questions was
deeply aroused. Upon his arrival In the tinted
States he explained that he had come to study
economic conditions, as affecting the development
of industrial Japan He said at the Holland house
had hoped when I arrived to discover the at
titude Of Americans toward the DEVELOPMENT OF the
Philippines so clearly oenned that might dou 70
my stock OF inforna lion ana be abe 10 ioEesee VIII
degree of cearness the future OF the AineTi-
can lnsuIar possesiOI,S ~. '- ,i,i; ~ ongress-
men and others also men OF business engaged IN
well as disappointed by the lack OF any coherent
and comprehensive plan that has popular aPproNal.
Some Of those have met say to me that they are
ty i and tbey would be glad IL the government
sold them at some fair price 10 Japan. Others
who are chara cterized mperialists. say the Isl,
ands are properly in the possession Of the United
States and that they will be retained at any cost
Speaking from a Japanese viewpoint: may say
that rather than 10 purchase the Phlhppnts. W. We
would be heartily glad 10 have American c9n'Ioi
continued. giving US the assuIanGe as II Mo i "a
a friendly neighboT, non-aGgressiNe, pracucaI ana
benevolent - 49,. 1900,
shall succeed the now in progress, ard the re-
turn OF popular interest in the industrial and com
meIclal ana oppaid Pif Te III te con-
sdered as the importance OF their interests VIII
becsnse OF her Canadian relations and her inter
ests already established IN Hong Kong ana the
yangtse Valley. and also Russia. assured by
her advance in the Far East. Taking the Philip
pines into consideration in this connection, II Is OF
first importance TO recognize the fact that the
islands are exceedingly rich in their agricultural
POSSIBILITIES. And if the natural differentiation in
The division OF labor between that suited to trop
teal country such as the Philippines and the more
temperate climate o! japan IS continued, the SOIL
products the ISLANDS may be made 10 bring great
wealth the country.
one of the problems OF the Philippines Is in
Volved in the labor situation. Hundreds Of years
under the oppression Of the Spanish yoke has in
vested the natives with degree of laZiness that
limits the measure of their effort to that necessary
TO supply their meazre necessities They have been
in times past the victims Of the Chinese Of the
predatory sort. and entertain traditional hatred
Tor the race. The japanese. however who have
settled on the island have demonstrated that they
are industrious, sanitary IN their habits OF life.
and with sufficient courage 10 defend their homes
against the attacks Of the bandits who have in
Tested the islands. II has been demonstrated that
lie Filipinos have a wholesome respect for the
Tspanese. They understand each other. And since
thew are able get along together. Il would seem
clear that much Of the labor that will be necessary
in the development Of the Islands may be drawn
from japan.
Baron Kaneko will go 70 Boston for few days
and Will I'LL two lecture engagements at Harvard
his alma mater. wednesday addressing the Law
School and or Thursday speaking before the uni
versity. He viii then 60 10 ST. Louis TO attend the
opening of the exposition. and will remain in the
Missouri city through May and June. He will pass
The remaining months of summer IN New En- gland
returning to Japan in the autumn.