The independent., 1907-02-14
.UP-TO-DATE

gave excuse for revival OF war talk
early in the week. Immediate denials
OF any ground for such rumorS pro-
ceeded from both japanese and Amer
lean sources. Secretary Taft showed
that he had been trying ever since he
entered the war department to secure
appropriations for the fortification of
Hawaii. Baron Kantaro Kaneko, a
member OF the Japanese house Of
peers, who has made a special study
of American affairs, said of the ques-
tion which caused the discussion with
the United States, the segregation of
japanese children in San Francisco
schools: From the outset | knew it to
be a local question, unendorsed by
American public opinion, and / have
been speaking of it to my friends in
that light. This is more than confirmed
by President Roosevelt's message,
which / consider the greatest utteranee
since the farewell message of Presi-
dent Washington. 1t is unprecedented
in the way it 50 strongly advocates a
foreign cause. No stronger or abler ad
vocate could be found for Japan.
When the text of his message bearing
on the school question was fully trans
lated III the leading papers throughout
this country, even in the island of For
mosa, all could readily see and appre-
ciate the profoundneSS of his argu
ments. Had the question arisen else
where, the crisis would have occurred
and loud defiance have been uttered
for the length and breadth Of the en-
pire On the other hand the quiet tone
of the press clearly demonstrates the
strength Of the confidence reposed i'll
President Roosevelt and the typical
American sentiment generally. Not a
la hat he
San Francisco affair would endanger
the friendship of both nations The af-
fssir-y yt4fsagfeeable-a and ~regrettableaas. it
iss has served the unique purpose of
demonstrating to the world how deep
rooted is the friendship between Japan
and America The latent cordiality
Japan entertains for her tutor Is shown
by the fact that, suffering under the
Seyerest strain, Japan does not forget
what she owes to America in her mod
ern progress, but unflinchingly trusts
in support Of her rights to the justice
which guides American sentiment.
The New Jersey senatorial contest
ended with the withdrawal of Senator
Dryden and the election of State
Treasurer Frank O. Briggs, an ally and
lieutenant Of Senator Dryden. The
Rhode Island deadlock continues. The
mainly with the pork bill, the bill
carrying over eighty million dollars
appropriated for the Improvement of
waterways in various sections of the
country The service pension bill was
passed and was signed by the preSi-
dent This bill makes every soldier of
the civil war eligible to place on the
pension rolls at a minimum pay of $l2
a month. The house passed the bill
amending the free alcohol law so as
to make possible the manufacture of
alcohol for denaturing in small dlstlll-
cries such as farmers could afford to
maintain.
The interstate commerce commission
reported that the charges of errors in
it's sta tisfical department had not been
sustained. Charles S. Hanks and Geo.
w. Hartman had alleged that the
railroads of the country could reduce
their rates ten per cent without reduc-
ing wages or dividends. They were
given opportunity to substantiate their
statements. Following their report the
president wrote to Mr.. Hanks: Last
winter YOU came to me on several
occasions, assuring me that very grave
errors and shortcomings existed IN the
work of the interstate commerce COM
mission, these being due primarily to
the work OF llS StdllStlcldll, MT.
Adams. Allegations were so grave
that / had both of you to meet certain
members of the commission, on which
occasion you stated that you would
be able TO put the commission in pos
session of information which would
practically revolutionize much of the
work they were doing, il you were
given access to their books. The COM
mission, at my request, gave you such
access. You were engaged in the re-
searches last spring. The charges you
had made and were then making were
of so grave character that ! did not
feel justified I'm failing TO give you ev-
cry opportunity 10 substantiate them.
| endeavored TO have Mr. Hartman
state 10 me definitely what his charges
were You admitted that your knowl-
edge OF the matter was from him.
found Ii almost impossible 10 pin him
down 10 any definite statement, and
finally in view Of the repeated state
ments Of both YOU and himself that
only exuerta could go into the matter