The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1907-11-08
.JAPIS ARE:
sRIE:|yDl | Y
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
MAKES OFFICIAL STATEMENT
or SITUATION.
CORDIAL FEELING
Says Government Proposes to Control
Immigration 50 That Japan viii Be
Benefited and Conform 10 the
Wishes AZ the Americans-Ambas-
sador Tendereds Reception.

d N
Wishes os the Americans-Ambas
sador Tendereei Reception.
Toxic, Nov. The official silence
so long consistently maintained b,
Japan on sthe relations Of the United
States and: Japan in connection with
u the persistent reports of the friction
was broken today by an Associated
Press interview with Minister of For
eign Affairs Hayashi He prefaced
his statement by expressing the hope
that sincere pronouncement by the
foreign minister Of Japan and it's pub
lication through the Associated Press
would prevent further misrepresenta
tion and finally result in discrediting
those who are constantly circulating
false and harmful reports. He spoke
notSonly as foreign minister, but as
/, representing the sentiment Of the en-.
tire cabinet and the public.
Minister Hayashi then said that the
relations between Japan and America
were as smooth and cordial as ever
and the cause of civilization as we'll as
community of interest demanded their
lasting peace and friendship.
In order that full weight may be
given this interview, it is proper to
state that it was granted by the for
eign minister only, after lengthy con
sideration of the propriety of an Of.
f1cial statement at this time. His
pronouncement confirms the views ex.
| pressed to the Associated Press on ey-
cry hand by politicians, newspaper
men and others. ssa+s.
Minister Hayashi admitted that the
immigration question was the most
serious matter and was uppermost in
the public mind, but he was positive
that it would be settled without fric-
tion. Already it practically has been
decided. The Japanese government
proposes TO control emigration in such
manner as to benefit Japan and at the
same time conform to the wishes of
the American government and is TAX
ing the most active steps in this di-
rection. The foreign minister believes
that Japan will be able to solve the
question in this manner, it requiring
only patience Of the population Of
both countries. One thing certain Is
that the Japanese government is not
solicitous for the immigration of it's
people into any country. During the
interview, Minister Hayashi said:
immigration Discouraged.
.The only thing causing anxiety in
the minds of the public here is the i'm
migration question, but, far from be-
ing unduly excited the people of Japan
are satisfied to rest in full confidence
that it will be adjusted in a manner
worthy of both nations, by the fair
minded people of America, who have
earned that name by re-eminently
just and liberal policy during the last
half century. According to reports
from various sources dealing with
what is called the Japanese situation,
it appears certain that a portion Of
the press of the United States Is bent
on representing an ultimate conflict
with Japan as inevitable, and in order
apparently to subserve this special
purpose events of trivial Importance
are magnified into matters portending
grave questions. Facts that can be
explained easily and naturally by the
commonest kind of common sense are
commented on and called into ques-
tion of some far fetched impossible
hypothesis and the uninitiated grad
ually is led into the vague belief that
relations between Japan and the
United States are anything but smooth
and cordial. These misrepresenta-
tions are incomprehensible and we
are unable to explain them, except on
the ground of political or financial
nature.
"The repeated publication abroad Of
intimations of strained relations is
deplorable, chiefly on account of the
baneful effect it cannot fail to produce
upon commerce, delicate plant which
thrives only in the genial atmosphere
of mutual confidence and cordial in
terdependence.
"A relieving feature is found In the
happy fact that these ominous state
nents find no echo on this side of the
Pacific. Notwithstanding persistent
reports to the contrary, the people Of
Japan regard the situation with a
sense of complete complacence and
absolute confidence It is true that at
the time of the San Francisco troubles
popular feelings of modification and
resentment we're aroused. but our peo-
pie know that the hostile feeling In
America was only local and temporary
=. ans