Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-12
RUSSIA FORCED WAR
So Says Minister Takahira at
Banquet.
HISTORY REVIEWED
HAD TO ABANDON RIGHTS IN
MANCHURIA.
These Had Been Acquired by Conquest
Also Warned Out Of
Korea.
HISTORY REVIEWED

pected that the Japanese mluIStci, hAo6oAO
Takahira, would be present to respond TO
the toast "Dai Nippon" but he was unable
to leave Washington and sent long tele-
gram instead. His speech was read by
Consul General Uchida of this port
The speakers included Gen. Joseph w.
Congden, president of the association Rep
resentative Robert w. Tayler Of Ohio and
Rev. Donald Sage Mackay. The speech OF
Minister Takahira follows:
Minister Takahira's Remarks.
'.Today when the struggle of life is be-
coming more and more acute. not only for
men. but also for nations. nothing could
he more gratifying to me than the kindly
and sympat hetic greeting of this impor-
tant American commercial organization
lust now so gracefully expressed. II TINS
can be taken as an evidence of recognition
on YOUR part of the unalloyed and genuine
ma ure of our good intentions In endeaVor-
ing to eliminate in the far east the opso-
lete ideas and practices of desDotlsm IN
order to translucent and foster the germs
of modern civilization brought to Japan
by that gallant son Of America. Co'nmo-
| dore Perry. / shall feel that we are well re-
maid
.In responding to the toast 'Dai Nippon.
| which literally means Great Japan. must
also express my satisfaction that. whhe
may seem like David beside Goliath. you
have been pleased to employ the name
that patriotic usage has hallowed for my
countrymen This, I hone. / NAV take as
another evidence of your friendly good
will It suggests many plea trains of
thought hut unfortunately the present
complicated situation in the far east COM
pels to dwell upon more serious mat
ters and I can only hope that in doing so
I shall not weary your patience. AT the
same time I deem 1t privilege to have
the opportunity of addressing you this
evening, feeling assured that you will not
regard what I say the language of
empty defamation. hut as the words of
one speaking in the house of his friends and
uttering the thoughts that are nearest his
heart.
America Affected by Eastern Crisis.
Controlling. as your association does.
one of the great staples of commerce in
the worlds most important market. any
thing that affects the orderly course Of
business must naturally arouse your ear
nest attention. Therefore I take 1t for
granted that the present crisis in the Far
east is matter of grave concern to YOU.
I hope that I may go farther and assume
that in some measure at least the opinion
you have formed is favorab bic to the cause
which my country represents. But what
ever your attitude may be, whether in per-
feet agreement with mine not. 1t Is not
to your sympathy but to your Judgment
would appeal The sympathy of a friend
is precious, but his intelligent approval is
more greatly to be desired Let me add
also that do not seek to gain from you
larger measure of good will because the
interests of our countries in the east are
to some extent Identical No one speak king
with knowledge in Japan's behalf has ever
made that plea. All who are familiar with
the eastern situation know that a number
OF the powers have interests in common in
China-interests of the greatest value Your
own government has shown in the most
marked manner that 1t was fully cognizant
OF the Importance of those interests and
awe to the undesirable results that might
follow If they We're not properly safe
guarded.
Yet this fact and others equally well
KNOWN and equally significant have not
prevented the attempt to picture Japan as
pretending that she was acting from aItru-
lsflc motives. presumptuously arrogating to
herself the role of champion of a common
cause. Nothing could be farther from the
truth than this cunning device to arouse
prejudice and befog the actual situation
Japan took the initiative because the i'm
pending peril, while it threatened others in
measure, was to her matter of far
graver moment. If the valid interests of
other countries were to certain extent the
same as hers, 1t is an added proof of the
JuStlce or her cause not good reason for
accusing her of presumption or temerity
Denies Charge of Chauvinism.
There is another matter to which would
said-so frequently that the statement may
have gained some crodence-that a Chau-
whistle and aggressive spirit is so predomi-
nant among my countrymen as to render an
equitable and honorable accommodation of
the questions at issue practically impossi-
bic. So far as this charge is concerned, I
am perfectly willing to let the facts speak
for themselves. Undoubtedly the past few
months have been a period of public dis
quiet and excitement in Japan. Equally
without doubt there has been a great deal
of irresponsible popular clamor. But, In
all fairness, was this either unnatural or
reasonably regarded, a Just cause for crfti-
cism? Supposing that equally vital uues-
lions were at issue In this or any other
country, and supposing. also, that the ne
gotiations dragged unaccountably or seemed
to be Intentionally delayed for an unfriend-
ly purpose, would there not be similar man
ifestationS of discomfort and unrest? The
course of the japanese government itself
under these trying circums tances-its mani
fest determination to neglect no means of
peaceful settlement and to essay every av-
enue of honorable accord-is sufficient reply
| to this accusation. Under the wise guild
| ance of his majesty the emperor, my au-
gust master. the motto of the empire the
sole rule of action first and last throughout
this controversy has been peace with honor
and safety. In the earnest endeavor to Sc
cure this desirable end his majesty has had
| the loyal and cordial support of the en-
| lightened public opinion of the empire, and
l feel confident the verdict of history will
yearning for self Qualification, was permit
| ted for an instant to interfere with the
| patient effort to secure equitable and
| lasting agreement upon the questions at
issue.
Logical Result of Japan's Environment
! ''fhe position assumed by Japan was the
| logical result of her environment and of
| the inexorable necessities of national safe
! ty. Considerations not merely of self-inter-
| est or of self-respect, but of selfsprotec-
| ton. have led her to where she now stands
| The increase of her military and naval
\ strength has been criticised as an indiea-
| ton of a desire for national aggrandize-
| ment at the cost of others. Even If 1t
| were not the fact, as it unquestionably is,
| that her progress along more peaceful lines
| has been as notable as her military and
| naval growth. no more convincing EVIL
| dence than the present crisis is needed to
| prove that such preparation was the die
| tate of wise precauton. The burden upon
] the nations resources is not light one,
| but think of the infinitely heavier burden
| Japan would have to bear IL, instead of her
/ present neighbors. potential enemy of un-
| certain purpose and overwhelming strength
were firmly intrenched upon her very
| threshold, 1t is this contingency against