Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-07-03
Siuzo '-Aoki.
AMBASSADOR FROM JAPAN.

IN making ViScOunt SiuZo AOki his
hrst ambassador to America, the EN-
peror of Japan paid high tribute to one
of his subjects who was pioneer in
the country's diplomatic service, who
aided in the establishment of mod
ern Japan, and whose career for thirty
three years has been stamped with
every mark of diplomatic genius.
He has been allied with every great
national movement since the beginning
of his career as a boy of twenty, when
he aided in the stormy upheaval pre-
ceding the restoration of the emperor.
Grizzle-haired statesmen watched
the boys half-realized ability with the
keenest regard, and at the close of the
period which marked modern Japan
he was urged to go to Europe for a
course Of study in social and political
sciences He travelled in Europe for a
short time, then went to Germany and
began the acquisition of wellfounded
political education for use in his own
country, which was struggling with
new government.
At this time Japan had no diplomatic
n!seNice. By gradual steps, however, a
man sent here and there on, affairs OF,
state, nucleus was formed, and al
most without warning diplomatic
corps mad developed itself.
In 1874 the first embassy, composed
of Japan's most distinguished patriots,
and headed by the deputy prime minis
ter, came to Washington, went on to
London and Paris, and finally arrived
in Germany, where the little viscount
was pouring over treatises on laws and
sociology, politics and statecraft.
A shrewd knowledge of current af-
fairs had been accredited to him, even
in his student days, and the news of
his clear-headedness noised about,
brought him to the notice of the depu-
ty prime minister with the embassy,
and he was made it's first secretary.
Scarcely a year had passed before
yiscount Aoki had been made minister
to Germany, little Japanese diplo-
matte service was struggling into exis-
tence. and his own diplomatic career
was under full swing.
His studies were continued more or
less internationally, as his duties per-
mitted, and with eyes and ears always
open the young minister became we'll
grounded in all phases of foreign rela-
tions.
After three years in Germany, while
his popularity grew apace, he fell vic
tim to the charms of Fraulein Won
Rahle, lovely little lady, who lived
not far from his legation.
The German people loved him too
much to begrudge him the gift even of
one of their fairest daughters, sc he
was married to her in 1877, with all
the festivities usually attendant on
such happy affairs.
Several years passed, bringing with
them little daughter to prattle about
the diplomatic haunts, until Japan
needed the brilliant young statesman
at home. and he left Germany to take
the position of vice minister of foreign
affairs. In 1890 he was made minister
of foreign affairs. In that capacity he
tided japan over some little political
skirmishes, and in year and half
resigned from office.
Not for long, however, could he re-
sist the call of his country's needs
and in 1892 he became a member OF
the privy council, which is the EN-
peror's right bower in all important
political moves 1t has the same rank
as the American cabinet, but has nc
executive function, and of this body
Niscount Aoki remained until his ap
pointment to Washington as Ambassa
dor, when Japan decided that he'
representation to this government
should be of that Importance.
Viscount Aoki is very small, with 6
big gray beard and heavy gold
trimmed spectacles. He looks very sage
and dignified, till one surprises the
streak Of mischief which seems always
lurking behind his twinkling eyes.
He also received with Peter {
big brown-and-black Siamese cat, who
marches sedately into the parlor o
the embassy and twins his slendci
length around the rungs of the teak
wood chairs, and listens intently II
the wise words which are banded
above him.
Peter is always present at every i'm
portant conference, and all visitors (