The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1907-01-15
Baron Kikuchi Sees No
Need of Trouble
With America

Baron d. Kikuchi, formerly president
of the University of Toxic and until
recently Minister of Education in
Japan, arrived in San Francisco yester-
day on the liner Hongkong Maru and
took apartments at the Majestic Hotel.
The Baron will leave at once for the
East. and will sail from New York on
January % for Cambridge, England,
where he will deliver a series of lee
lures on Education in Japan" on his
return in the spring he will spend
a month in the United States.
Baron Kikucht now holds no public
office He resigned his position as
Minister of Education in 1902. but since
then has been an active participant in
the national affairs of his country He
has been largely instrumental in build
ing up the great school system of
Japan, which is development of the
last decade. His rank was bestowed
upon him by the Government in rec
ognition of his services in bringing
about the cordial relations with Great
Britain.
The Baron is small of stature, with
a rotund face. which in degree sug-
gests the benevolent countenance of
secure his eyes and he has sparse
black beard. Like Franklin. the
Baron Is a genial. fnany-sided man. His
forte was mathematics until he devot-
ed himself to the subject of education.
He was trained in the schools of
England, receiving his masters degree
at Cambridge University. He speaks
English fuently and shows a thorough
acquaintance with American affairs,
although he last visited the United
States twenty-five years ago.
The >disting uished japanese was not
inclined to think that serious compli-
cations would attend the solution OF
the San Francisco school question.
AT first" he said, "the action OF
the san Francisco School Board caused
a great stir In Japan, but soon as
the matter was taken up diplomatical-
ly the agitation abated. Japan has
great faith in the United States Gov
eminent and the people there are con
WINGED that a satisfactory solution to
all sides will be the outcome OF the
negotiations Naturally the Japanese
do not regard San Francisco with kind
ly feelings. but they differentiate and
have the greatest regard for the ma
tion.'
Baron Kikuchi referred to the long
continued friendship between the two
countries, beginning with the visit of
Commodore Perry to Japan, and ridi-
culed any suggestion of war.
w nv. IL Is lie Sdlu
Japan and America can only be
friends They have no quarrel, and
their interests are alike
How about the Philippines land
Hawaii?"
The Baron again laughed the sub
ject into ridicule-
Japan doesn't want the islands" he
said Japan is a poor country. and
has all she can take care Of We are
T,ff nil ff~
abundant riches.
On the exclusion question the Baron
had little to say.
ut is somewhat out of my line
he said. but naturally Japan would
not look fayorably on any discrimina-
tion against her citizens
The educator spoke al length of the
forward strides taken in Japan since
the war.
"A great school system has been
built pp.'' he said. The Government
has especially encouraged secondary
and Industrial education. 1t has given
subsidies to the procedures for tech
nical institutions, and the results have
been very gratifying. Industrial de-
yelopment has gone son under national
subsidy. and attention has turned
toward Korea Manchuria has not
attracted such large number. as il
is not owned by Japan. With Korea
II is different. 1t is under Japanese SUI
pervision, and agriculture has been en-
couraged. New railroads in course
of construction, and the country is
being rapidly opened up
The Baron said that he was not on
an official mission, but added that he
wouM call on President Roosevelt on
his return from England.
president Roosevelt is held in
great esteem in Japan" he said, and
then added. with voice that be-
tokened genuine admiration, ole is a
Samurai."