The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-21
1T WAS A LOVE FEAST.
American Friends Association Gives a
Banquet for O'Brien.

Toxic, Dec. H.-The American am
bassador, Thomas J. O'Brien, was the
guest of honor at the banquet Friday
of the American Friends associa-
ton of which Count Kaneko, the head
of the movement for an international
exposition to be held here in 1912 is
president. The banquet was attended
by the most prominent officials and
business men of this city. Foreign
Minister Viscount Hayashi sent his re-
grets, his absence being due to an Off
cial entertainment in honor of the
Korean crown prince.
Viscount Kaneko on toasting Am
bassador O'Brien, said that the society
was organized for the purpose of hav-
ing it become an intellectual bridge
connecting the Pacific coasts of two
nations who had assumed the joint re-
sponsibility of, maintaining peace on
the Pacific, therefore the greater the
naval power of America, the less would
be the burden of Japan. The fact that
japan had announced an exposition to
take place in 1912 was a declaration of
Japan's desire to pursue peace with the
nations of all countries in the world
If she entertained the least idea of war
like preparation the nations would not
be invited to participate as prepare
lions for war and an International ex-
position at the same time are incon-
patible. the one working for deStruc-
ton, the other for peace. and in pur-
suit thereof.
President Roosevelt is the warmest
and greatest friend of Japan. This is
the general feeling throughout Japan
warmest gratitude to the American
people The two countries can never
be estranged or shaken by small irrita
lions.
The monument to Commodore Perry,
erected by this association in 1901,
stands facing eastward to express the
national gratitude to our benefactors,
the government and people of the
greatest republic on the globe.
Ambassador O'Brien's reply was in
tended as an important pronounce
ment. After giving thanks for the
courtesies extended to him during his
short stay he said that the Pacific was
intended to serve as great highway
for the use of mankind; as a highway
it must be maintained, and the respon-
sibility of securing its freedom rested
upon Japan and America 1t was true
that Americas responsibility was the
heavier because of its more extensive
area and population.
'The United States" he said, "has
nothing that Japan cares to take or
buy. On the other hand, the United
States has no wish to own any OF the
fair acres of Japan. Each can continue
to develop Its respective resources and
thus exhibit themselves to the nations
of the world, not only as models of the
highest civilization, but also provide an
untrammelled way to come and go in
the exchange of the products.
1.-The purposes and plans of the Jap
anese people no one can question or
doubt and it ought not to be necessary
to continue the repetition of denials
from sources of the highest authority
in both countries that nothing exists
between them except harmony and
good will"
Tn conclusion Ambassador O'Rrien
paid a high tribute to the Japanese and
said their rare qualities were well
known to the world. Japan's determine
ton to make a high place for herself
among Christian nations deserves, said
he, the sympathy and support of the
entire world