The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-12-06
Amhassador Aokrs Recall.

Any effort 20 make II appear that AM
bassador Aoks return 10 Japan is a
symptom Of friction I'm the relations be-
tween the United States and Japan must
prove wholly abortive. The real reasons
for the recall. for it practically amounts
10 that, arc as yet imperfectly understood,
but II is quite certain this government
has had no hand in the matter. which
has been dealt with entirely by the Japa-
nese foreign Office In other words the
recall is an affair of the Japanese diplo-
matte service. and its motive must be
sought for in the purposes and methods
of japanese diplomacy.
1t should be remembered that Viscount
Aoki is a diplomat of the old school, I'M
skilled in the shirt-sleeves ways and post
prandial accomplishments Of the modern
diplomatic generation, as especially ex-
emplified by the representatives various
European powers have thought it desir-
able to have near the person of the Amer
lean ruler. To the old requirement that
an envoy must be persona grata TO the
government to which he is accredited has
been added. in these democratic times.
he must be persona grata to the Ameri-
can people. 1t is not enough that he
should be able 10 espouse the cause of his
government with conviction at the State
Department. or to gain an entree 10
White House athletics; he must also have
the wiz and the grace to present his case
10 popular assemblies. and 10 evoke the
applause OF the festive board. The time has
passed when a diplomat may float a treaty
on champagne; he must get out and hus-
tie for popular support Well, when the
next Ambassador from Japan is an
nounced it will be found. in all probable
ity, that he is one of your up-to-date
diplomats. fully prepared 10 hold his own
with tennis-players. htterateurs. bosom
friends of the President. cross-country
riders. and jolliers of the common people
Viscount Aoki has simply fallen victim
to the evolution Of modern diplomacy.
More seriously considered. this means
that japan IS likely to be at some pains
in the immediate future TO cultivate the
friendly feeling of the American govern
ment and people. That Japan is making
a strong effort TO avoid any cause of
offense IN American eyes is apparent from
the course she is pursuing with respect
to the vexed question Of immigration.
which at one time threatened. or. at any
rate, contained the possibility Of. rather
dangerous complications In this matter
Japan is endeavoring by all the means
within her power to meet the wishes Of
this government. and it seems probable
that her statesmen may succeed in solv-
ing the immigration problem to the en-
tire satisfaction Of both the great Eng
disappearing communities on this CONT
nent. This being the situation OF the
most important outstanding question be-
tween the American and the japanese
governments, il is idle 10 connect the re-
call of Ambassador Aoki with the con-
jectural revival Of acute differences. The
more plausible explanation. as we have
intimated, is that Japan desires her rep
resentatives 70 keep more closely in touch
with the American people. and that her
policy hereafter will be to seek points Of
accord rather than occasions Of differ
ence with the American government.