Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-10-05
TAFT AND MIKADO.
Secretary of War Received
With Honors Due a King.
CALLS WAR WICKED AND INSANE.
RoOsevelt and the Emperor Cbeered
by Tokyo Banaueters Rs Token
OF Amity Between the Two
Countries.


Countries.
TOKYO, Oct. 2.-Secretary OF War
Taft was received in audience by the
emperor OF Japan with all the honor
and ceremony usually bestowed on the
ruler OF an empire. The emperor sent
message of good Will to America and
Its president. showing. as his majesty
said, to the world Japan's friendly
feeling toward the United States.
Mr.. Taft said # gave him great plea
sure to bring a message of good will
from President Roosevelt. The secre-
tary said be felt that the fact that the
japanese emperor had for the second
time honored him with an invitation
70 an audience was due 10 his majes-
tvs well known friendship for Amer
lea.
Secretary Taft aroused the widest
enthusiasm and loud cheers when dur
ing his speech at the banquet given in
his honor 10y the municipality OF Tokyo
and chamber OF commerce he declared
that war between the United States
and Japan would "be a crime against
modern civniza ton and as wicked as II
would be insane"
He added that neither people desired
it and that both governments would
do their utmost TO guard against such
an awful catastrophe.
The secretary spoke with intense ear
nestncss. his speech being the result Of
careful deliberation and preparation
The banquet took place I'm the assem-
bly, room OF the Imperial hotel. Wis
count Shibusawa presiding. and was
attended by many prominent officials
and leading business men OF Tokyo.
Niscount Shibusawa I'm welcoming
Mr.. Taft payed a glowing tribute 10
the greatness of the nation which the
secretary represented. the friendliness
which the United States had always
displayed for Japan and the influence
which America cxerted throughout the
world
After the dinner the assembly room
presented remarkable scene. every
one concentrating every one else on
what was considered a complete re-
moval Of the cloud that had arisen be-
tween Japan and the United states
and the snencing OF the sensational
lists.
In speaking OF war Mr.. Tart said he
did not hold that war is entirely UNI
1ustihable when International griev-
ances cannot otherwise be redressed.
"But war IS hell" he said. .'and only
great cause. which cannot be settled
by diplomacy, iusunes st."
After an uneventful voyage across
the Pacific from Seattle. which port
she left Sept 13. the Minnesota stole
up Tokyo bay and anchored at the Yo-
kohama quarantine station. Among
those who were received by Secretary
Taft on board the Minnesota were a
number of the leading Journalists Of
Japan. Replying TO n felicitous speech
Of welcome, Secretary Taft sad. re-
ferring to the matter Of racial preiu-
dice, that 1t was only necessary TO re-
fer his questioners 10 the message OF
President Roosevelt on this subject
The secretary said he came rs the sec
rotary Of peace, not as the secretary
Of war.
The secretary was then asked II the
United States intended to sell the Phil
ippine Islands To this Mr.. Taft re-
piled that America had no intention
OF selling adding that he had no mis-
sion in Japan except TO bear friendly
greetings 10 and visit old friends on
his way TO Manila. Continuing. the
secretary outlined his proposed trip
around the world and spoke OF his
plans for the future government Of the
Philippines