Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-26
NO FRICTION WITH JAPAN
POSITIVE ANNOUNCEMENT BY
SECRETARY ROOT.
No Protest Made Against Pacific
Cruise-Date Of Departure,
December 16.

NO such relations exist between the
United States and Japan as would make
1t improper to send the American battle
ship fleet into the Pacific. If there were
then the relations between the United
States and Great Britain, and the rela-
lions between the United States and
France, which are the same. would forbid
the maintenance Of the battleship fleet
in the Atlantic ocean"
This was the reply returned by Sec
rotary Root to the direct question as to
whether Japan had entered any protest
against the dispatch of Admiral Evans
Atlantic feet to the Pacific In December
The reply acquired additional weight and
significance from the fact that it was
given at the close of a long conference
between Secretary Root and Japanese
Ambassador Aoki at the State Department
| today.
The Secretary was particularly DESTROYS
to have it understood that the relations
between the two countrieS-United States
and Japan-were not only at present har-
monious. but that they have not been
otherwise. 1t was curious fact, he said
that there had not been the slightest fric-
ton between the governments of the two
countries; that all talk to the contrary
had been nothing more than newspaper
speculation.
Cooperation of Japan.
1t was at first supposed that the am
bassadors call at the State Department
today was for the purpose of taking up
with the Secretary of State negotiations
for a new treaty between the United
States and Japan that should among
other things, prohibit the emigration from
Japan TO this country of coolie laboc and
sanction the passage of exclusion laws
by the United States. But it appeared
that no attempt was made to open negou-
ationS on that important subject, and al
though the matter of the status of Jap
anese in the United States was discussed
it was simply in the light Of the applica-
ton of the existing rules and laws. and
not in connection with any proposed
treaty changes. 1t was sta ted at the close
Of the conference that the government of
Japan was cooperating to the best OF its
ability with our own government to Sc
cure the proper enforcement of the i'm
migration laws of the United States. SO
far as they relate to the treatment of Jap
anese with and without passports.
Fleet Will Sail December 16.
Secretary Metcalf today announced that
it was definitely settled that the Atlantic
fleet would leave Hampton roads Decem-
Der Ii for it's cruise to the Pacific coast
This announcement followed a conference
| held at the White House.
Secretary Metcalf stated that the Ques-
ton of allowing newspaper correspondents
to accompany the fleet was discussed and
the conclusion reached not to allow news
paper men aboard, but that officers Of the
fleet would be designated to send such
news might be thought desirable to
make public
There were present at the conference
Secretary Metcalf, Rear Admiral Evans
who will command the fleet and Rear
Admiral Brownson. chief Of the bureau of
navigation. Admiral Evans. who has
been indtsposed at his apartments, is
much improved.
Besides passing upon the applications of
newspapers to have representatives with
the fleet details of the cruise We're dis
cussed and the President was thoroughly
informed as to what is being done to get
ready.
Battleships Wanted at Manila.
The bureau of insular affairs, War De-
partment, received a cablegram today
from Gov. Gen. Smith at Manila. asking
that the Atlantic battIeship fleet be per-
mitted to VISIT Manila In the week be-
ginning February 3. in order to take part
in the pra-Lenten festivities to be held
there. The fact that the fleet will not
arrive in Pacific waters by the date
named will prevent the invitation from re-
ceiving ravorable consideration. The re-
quest for the presence of the feet at
Manila was undoubtedly based on dis
| patches published in the Phiuppin ii at
| the fleet had been ordered to the Philip
| pines and had already passed through
the Magellan strait