The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-19

insurance of tranquillity-at least in
| too much to say that Japan and tn e
| United States have a joint response
| bility in maintaining peace on the
| Pacific.
| He Knows Bob.
| II know Rear Admiral Evans per-
| sonally. When he was here / had the
pleasure of inviting him and his staff
| to hunting expedition. We hope he
| and give US an opportunity to renew
the acquaintance"
Count Okuma, the leader of the
progressive party in Japan, said:
fleet will have a safe voyage. I will
gladly send it my greetings when it
arrives on the Pacific. The coming of
an American fleet will tend to forward
the civilization of the world, and in
crease the friendliness of our two ma
tons. The influence of America and
Japan in the far east would be enor-
nous and paramount. Surely this
voyage of the American fleet and the
attitude of the Japanse people now
and in the event Admiral Evans de-
cides to visit Japan will stop the
ridiculous talk of war or unfriendli-
ness upon the part of Japan's people,"
The former premier, Marquis
katsura, one of the most prominent and
active politicians in Japan. and who
ent cabinet. said:
1.-THE dispatch of the American fleet
gives me no cause for surprise. Our
whole people feel the same way, that
the American fleet has been sent to the
Pacific, where American interests de-
mand the presence of a navy sufficient
ly adequate for the protection of those
interests. Its coming should cause
Japan no uneasiness, especially in the
case of the United States which is so
friendly to Japan.
Possibly the dispatch of the fleet is
intended as a move toward naval ex-
tension, or it may have something to
do with international politics. I GER
tainly entertain no fear that it is di-
rected against Japan, but rather for the
purpose of strengthening the Republi-
can party in the coming election
From Business Viewpoint.
Baron Shibusava, one of the most
prominent business men in Japan, who
is regarded as the Prince Ito of COM
merce, said:
Judging by the personal character
of President Roosevelt as a statesman
who aims at the healthy development
of his nation; having the courage to
stand against an unwholesome aggre-
cation of wealth; also judging by per-
sonal conversations with Secretary
Taft, while here, I can not imagine
that the dispatch of the fleet has any
aggressive design. In the absence of
such design it affords no reason to get
excited or feel uneasy over its COM
United States the nation which first
led her to the path of modern civiliza-
tion and enlightenment. Our feelings
toward America are therefore naturally
cordial and friendly. 1 have no rea-
son to believe our feeling is not fully
reciprocated by the representative
classes of America
Mr.. Mindura, proprietor of Hochi, the
leading opposition paper. said:
Il think the coming of the fleet is
quite in the natural order to keep the
naval force in training and the best of
trim. 1t is undoubtedly great un-
dertaking which should prove signally
beneficial I desire to say that the
coming of the fleet is causing no ex-
citement here. Should Rear Admiral
Evans give US the occasion to welcome
him we will demonstrate the warmth
of our feelings which are traditionally
friendly
Mr.. Ikebe. chief editor of the Asahi,
said:
THE motive of the dispatch of the
fleet is clearly and indisputably stated
in President Roosevelt's message, which
leaves no room for a suggestion of an
motive or to raise a suspicion
of the good faith of America towards
Japan. The use of the powerful naval
fleet for the protection of American
interests is exactly what might be ex-
pected of any country possessed of suf-
f1cient armament. Japan undoubtedly |
will extend the warmest welcome to |
Admiral Evans and his fleet"