Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-30
HONOR THE KEYNOTE
Kaneko Tells of Japan's Fierce
Struggle
AS PRIVATE CITIZEN
MONEY BUT A SECONDARY CON-
SHERATON.
National Existence and Admiration of
the World Won in
Battles.
AS PRIVATE CITIZEN


IN New York last night Baron Kaneko, per-
sonal representative of the mikado and
privy councillor of his native country, made
n statement regarding the outcome of the
peace conference, but he persisted that his
statement must be taken coming from
a private citizen of Japan and not official
In any way. When assured that he would
be SO quoted Baron Kaneko spoke as fol-
lows:
From the beginning of the war we
fought for national existence Now that we
have our national existence assured what
more we expect? The at end
our position among nations is more firm
and more secure than we ever thought
possible. In taking back Port Arthur and
the Lao Tung peninsula retrieve our
losses of 1894 and 1895, and in the reten-
ton Of the southern part of the island OF
Sakhalin we again acquire what we lost in
diplomacy.
Thirty years ago the ffteth degree OF
north latitude the boundary of Japa-
nese possessions. The Russians took the
entire island. Now restore the ancient
boundary of Japan. Then, too, acquire
by the treaty when the details are complete
the right to fish all along the entire Russian
coast to the Behrng sea.
las to the railroads acquired, I am not
quite sure of the position of Chan Tow, but
| presume the concession is all of that por-
ton that is occupied by forces. We
have the railroad from well above Mukden,
Port Arthur and to Dalny
Honor First Thought.
Now as TO the loss of the indemnity
The sum was reasonable and moderate that
we asked We have spent enormous sums
of money. is known to all of the civ
lized world. We asked that we be re-
paid
Tluf vi hon ba SboI
they could not pay and that they would
not pay. what could we do? We decided
to waive the indemnity. and will endeavor
to explain the reason for this. The jana
nese race is imbued with the spirit of
Bushido and the honor of the Samlrai
The honor of our country, individual and
national, is far greater to US than money
In the minds of the sons of Nippon. nur-
tured on the leader of Samura money is
an indifferent matter. Honor Is of far
greater Importance and the fact that by
this struggle with Russia my country has
been able to take It's seat in the college of
the nations Of the world is something that
Is beyond the purchasing power of money.
We have shown to the world that we
have high capacity and sound morals Our
treatment Of prisoners of war has been con-
Quoted along the lines of humanity and
kindness and equal to the practices of
Christian nations. Though stigmatized as
pagans, we have shown that we can be as
just and kind as Christians, and l believe
we have gained the respect of the Chris
tian world.
Won Admiration
I'm our strategy and tactics In the equip
ment and movement of our army and navy
we have won-this ] have been frequently
told-the admiration of nations. Are not
these the fruits of our victory? Then what
do we care for money? The Russians said,
We can't pay Very well.' we replied, we
will not force upon you the indemnity. We
wish peace and cordial relations after the
war
Japan does not wish to fight all the time
but when any infringes our national lib
erty, then we hasten to arise to the de-
Tense Of our country, and to this defense
every man in Japan would rally around the
banner of the mikado
Russia has asked for peace with honor
We have contended for peace with Justice
Both have been obtained. and regard
humanity. civilization and the peace of the
world of far greater value than money.
That was the aim of the conference, and
rather than ii should fail we made the
seeming sacrifice. Money is a very insig-
nificant factor in the Japanese mind.
mo doubt that my countrymen at home
Will be disappointed at the failure to OBJ
tain indemnity, but when they realize that
Japan has sacrificed nothing and has
gained by her liberality a place among the
civilized nations of the world they will be
quick TO dismiss the fact of the seeming
loss from their minds.
Arranged for the Cost
'As to the cost OF the war already we
have taken all the necessary financial steps
to more than cover the enormous expense.
Japanese finances are In excellent shape
and we have not yet used only a part of
the loan OF Sl5O.OOO.O0o negotiated in this
country, England and Germany We have
ample TO close up all war expenditures.
Il think II Is general rule that pros
perity follows the success of arms in any
country, and not infrequently in the coun-
try that is beaten. l expect to see an era
OF prosperity in Japan, and the tax of the
war will quickly be reduced by the Increase
OF revenues
As to the policy of Japan in the far
east. now that the is over / think
that In my public utterances while in this
country l have amply stated my views
There never will be a clash between the
United States and Japan. Our products and
manufactures are too widely apart in char
acter In answer to the claim that some
persons have made that there would he a
struggle for commercial supremacy can
rather work side by side.
Yellow Peril But a Dream.
S"Another much-mooted question, the yell
low peril is but a dream. China cannot
be assimilated by any one nation, and al
though Japan and China are peopled by one
race there is nothing in sympathy between
the two"
When the subject of the China and Han
kow railway was brought to the attention
or Baron kaneko, he became animated and
stated a representative of the house of
Messrs j. z. Morgan & Company had call
ed upon him for his opinion of its value
81 told him." he said, las l afterward told
several other tnanciers, that Americans
should not give up that railroad. in which
they owned the majority of the shares 1t
is the highway across China TO Russia"
y moment later when Baron Kaneko was
told that the Chinese government had can
eelled the concession and had offered TO pay
more than $4,000. 600 to the stockholders he
was visibly taken back. TOO bad too
bad he said. with show OF excitement
What IS the use of further discussing the
subiect?"
DO you believe that Russia had a hand In
the cancellation OF the concession?" was
asked.
Il do not know" he answered.
Baron kaneko then continued. and stated
that Japan had always been and would con-
tinue TO uphold the open door policy in
regard to trade in China.