The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1906-01-26
LUKE WRIGHT'S
GREAT MISSION
His Work As First Ambassador To
Japan.
JAPAN IS AFTER THE ISLANDS.
High Authority on Foreign Affalrs Of Govern
ment Says Roosevelt Is Sending Repre-.
sentative TO Mikado's Court to Sound
japanese on Proposition TO Dispose Of
Islands to Oriental Government

Washington, D. c. (SpeciaD The an
ouncement of the appointment of Judge
Luke E. Wright to be the first ambassa-
dor of the United States to Japan has
caused considerable gossip in official cir
cles. 1t has gone so far as 10 cause a
member of the Foreign Relations Com
mittee of the Senate TO intimate that
behind this appointment is a policy of
President Roosevelt which will cause a
complete change in our colonial or in
sular connections. This authority an
nounces that by sending Judge Wright
to Japan, man who has long been a
member of the Philippine Commission
and lately governor of the islands, and
therefore perfectly familiar with the
situation in the East, the President is
willing to look into the proposition of
Japan acquiring the Philippine Islands.
The authority does not go so far as
to state that the President has deter
mined to sell, exchange or dispose of
the islands to Japan or to any other ma
ton, but it does assert that our new
Ambassador will be instructed to sound
in diplomatic may the Mikado's exact
position in the matter If, through di-
plomatic channels, it develops that the
islands can be disposed of in an honor
able manner the matter will be laid be-
fore Congress, for the President can do
nothing without congressional consent,
and the problem of what to do with the
Philippines may be solved
A dispatch from Birmingham, Eng
land, limiting that Japan is again anx-
ious to acquire the Philippines by sale
or exchange, is evidently based upon the
rumors and gossip that has been afoat
in Washington ever since President
Roosevelt changed his mind in regard
to promoting John G.. A. Leishman, now
10 Japan. Judge Wright came back from
the Philippines sometime ago with the
determination to resign as civil COVER
nor and not return to the islands. He has
had frequent consultations with the
President and Secretary Taft as to con-
ditions in the Philippines, and as noted,
soon after his return the President
changed his mind in regard to sending
Mr.. Leishman to the land of the chry-
santhemum. The President could not
have made better choice for an ambas-
asdor to Japan if he has in view the dis
position of the Philippines. Judge
Wright konws the conditions there thor
oughly. He also knows the feelings and
desires of Japan in this matter, and is
diplomat enough to negotiate with the
Mikado's representatives, if any deal is
intended. 1t is not expected that the
administration at this time will dis
close any secret instructions to be given
to the new ambassador, and denals Of
any intention to part with the Philippines
will undoubtedly come thick and fast.
But the authority on which the above
statements are given is sufficient for its
publication now.
In accepting the new appointment Gov
ernor General Wright sacrifices $1,000
year in compensation. It is believed that
Congress will accept the recommendation
of Secretary Root that, in connection
with the elevation of the American Lega-
ton of Toxic to the rank of an enlbas-
sy, the compensation of the incumbent be
raised from $4,000 to $I7,5oo; but, as
Governor General Wright's present sal
airy is $50, 500, he will still be suffering
considerable financial loss Commits
sioner and Acting Governor General
Ide's present salary is $I5,5oo per annum.
so that if he should be promoted he will
benefit in salary to the extent of $1,000.
Governor General Wright will sue
coed at Toxic Lloyd c. Grisco1n, who
was promoted from American minister
at that place to be American ambassador
at Rio. Mr. Griscom is at present on
leave of absence in this country. and
the office at Toxic is in charge of Mr..
Laughlin, the second secretary of lega-