The Washington times., 1904-04-03
KENTARO KANEKO
TALKS Of JAP AN
Fighting Against Russian
DespOtism.
NATION FiERCELY EARNEST
How They Yielded to Advice of Com
moaore Perry, Opened Ports, and
Let in Civilization.
NATION FlERCELY EARNEST

Japan is prepared TO fight a long and
terrible war. Thousands Of our soldiers
and sailors may be killed, but they die
for their country and their Emperor,
and I'm this hour Of storm and stress We
do not finch. 1t IS a war in which the
whole nation joins. Thrilled with
patriotism the Japanese people are de-
termined to win victory at any cost
Our national honor and very existence
are at stake
still further may I add that not
alone does the struggle typify this but
far greater issue. It IS the battle
which Western civilization. as learned
by an Asiatic people at the feet Of the
United States, is waging against free
dom's foe, the Slavic despotism of Rus
STA
These words, carrying almost official
weight as expressing the attitude OF
the imperial government Of Japan at
this juncture in the war, were spoken
by Baron Kentaro Kaneko. a member
of the house Of peers of Japan. and Il
former minister Of the cabinet, who Is
now IN Washington on mission which
IS said to have much diplomatic signih-
canoe.
Long and Bloody War.
In the first interview which he has
given to the press since his arrival in
this country. Baron Kaneko, who is al
the Arlington Hotel, expressed freely
10 a representative Of The Times his
views on the probable duration OF the
war. Japan's preparedness. and the
mutual ties Of interest which the island
kingdom shares with the United States.
Concerning the wars duration. Baron
KanekO said he anticipated long and
bitter struggle.
1T may last for years. he said. but
Japan viii push the war with vigor
from the outset and the country is well
prepared for a long struggle As an IL
lustration OF this he referred TO the fact
that a great war relief fund is being
raised in Japan, which is to be used for
the establishing of widows and or
phans' homes. and infirmaries. The OBJ
ject of this ne said was 20 relieve the
Government as much as possible Of the
case OF those who are bereft of support
by the loss Of their husbands and
fathers.
There may be millions made widows
and orphans" said Baron Kanel1o but
we VIII house and care for them all.
The relief fund will probably be placed
IN the hands Of the Emperor for distrl-
button"
In appearance Baron Kaneko is small
Of stature. with a thoughtful. serious
face. but there rs an air OF keen intel
lectual power about him. which at once
commands respect.
yankees Of the East"
"Why do we call ourselves the yam
KEGS of the East you ask he said in
reply TO an Interrogation. well simply
for this reason. It Is to Western ciyili-
w
owe our advancement. Our debt TO the
United States. and It IS z great one. be
gan with the advent Of your great Amer
lean commander Commodore Perry IN
the Yellow Sea.
1T was just fifty years ago last
Thursday that he opened the world to
Us. We celebrate that date now as a
national anniversary. Before his ar
rival Japan was living In isolation. We
knew nothing OF Continental Europe and
were content, or rather thought we We're.
in our state Of utter seciusion. Our pol
icy was then adverse TO foreigners. We
excluded them in every manner posi-
bic.
In only one of our ports did we allow
foreign ships 20 enter. That was Ma
gasakt. From those foreign vessels we
got what outside goods we cared to have,
gunpoWder medicine, firearms, books
wooden and textile goods. That was all
We wanted then, we thought. but Com
modore Perry soon taught US differently.
Peuy's Great Maxim.
This was the great maxim which he
beat into our minds and which took
Judgement there: II you don't open
your ports to the commerce Of the world
BY your own volition some great power
Of Europe viii open them for you at the
lannon's mouth. Then Commodore