The Washington herald., 1907-10-01

Tokyo, Sept. 30,-A banquet Ia honor of
Secretary OF War Taft was given Jointly
tonight by the municipality of the cap
itaI and the Chamber Of Commerce.
The guests included the members Of
the cabinet. Prince Iyesato Tokugawa.
president Of the House of Peers; Pei-Ichi
Sugita, speaker Of the House Of Com
mons; Field Marshal Prince Oyama,
Margulses Matsugata and Inuoye. Of the
elder statesmen; two hundred members
of the nobility, other leading japanese
and Americans. Mr.. Tafts suite and AM
bassador O'Bren, and the members Of
the embassy
Mr.. Taft. in responding TO the speech Of
welcome, said:
I wish TO express my heartfelt thanks
for this magnificent evidence Of good will.
Since my visit in l905. Japan has been
through a titantic struggle but peace is
dawning. The Americans are proud that
Mr.. Roosevelt. with the prestige Of The
American Presidency, hastened the end
of a peace that is honorable to both
Japan and Russia. Japan has proved as
great in peace as in war She has taken
first rank among the nations. Her
growth. from a hermit nation. in fifty
years, is "a marvel to the world The
Americans are proud Of Japan.
America In Sympathy.
she has always had the cordial sym
pathy and effective aid OF the United
States, The name Of Perry, Harris,
Bingham, Grant, and Roosevelt are in
separable from Japans attainment Of
her position as a world power. Now. for
the moment, there IS only a little cloud
over our friendship Of fifty years, but
the greatest earthquake Of the century
could not shake our amity- But do not
intend to consider details
Il cannot trespass upon the jurisdiction
Of the Department OF State aad discuss
events in sau Frarasco, but I ean say
that there is nothing in them that Is
incapable Of honorable and full adjust
ment by ordinary diplomacy.
"The word war is not allowable in
diplomatic correspondence, but those who
are not diplomats can talk war. do
not hold that war is entirely unjustIdable
when internal grievances cannot other
wise be redressed. War is he'll, and only
tt great cause which cannot be settled
by diplomacy justifes it,
War Would Be Crime.
a war between America and Japan
would be crime against civilization.
Neither people desire it. and both govern
ments VIII strain every nerve to prevent
It. Neither would gain anything from
war. Japan is looking for a great COM
mercial conquest Why wish for war.
which would stop all she has undertaken
to rejuvinate her ancient neishbor. TO
whom she is sending the greatest states
men in the world?
I am confident that Prince Ito and the
japanese government. in their Korean
pohcV are making for justice and civiliza-
ton. Why stop or delay the reform in
Korea? Why should the United States de-
sire war; 70 change in one year to a
military nation; to have its resources
wasted upon a vast equipment and use
lessly enter upon a warlfke career?
During the last decade the United
States has made the greatest material
progress. To-day it is struggling against
the abuses arising from this progress and
is seeking TO retain its benefits for the
people. The United States IS engaged in
establishing order and prosperity in the
Philippines and in educating the Filipinos
in order that they may be capable of self
government
VIII Not Sell Islands.
''The task is a difficult one
Some persons suggest the sale of the
islands to Japan or some other nation.
This is absurd Japan does not want
them and the United States could not sell
them without the grossest violation OF its
obligations to the people Of the Philip
pines
Under the circumstances. nothing is
more Infamous than the suggestion of
war. The war talk is due entirely to
newspapers, which seek to increase their
sale, and which. for political reason. at
tack the government It is difficult to
characterize in moderate language such
attempt 10 create I'll will between the
two peoples. Be assured that Americas
good win toward Japan is as warm as
ever"
The EmperoT's present gracious recep-
tion OF Mr.. Taft on his fourth visit is
not personal, but is intended to signify
TO the American people and government
the continuance of his majesty's august