The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-10-04
TAFT IN JAPAN.

TAFT IN JAPAN.
 The mission of Secretary Taft in Japan was obviously more than an official call upon the rulers of a coun- try through which he was passing to reach his destination in the Philip pines. There is every reason to be- lieve that he arrived at the psycholog- ical moment when impressive assur- ances of peaceful attitude on the part of this country were needed to remove a fear on the part of the Jap anese that while our words were hon. eyed they could not be reconciled with the action of our hands.
 The visit of Secretary Taft to Jap an is interesting from many points of view. Most important is the errand he has evidently performed with such satisfaction to the Emperor of Japan and the high officials and people of that country. It is never easy to ac- count for the attitude taken by one country towards another when there are no definite reasons for a misun- derstanding. Tn the case of Japan there has been nothing specific to justify suspicion as to our motives and yet on the other hand certain things have occurred to disturb friend ly relations in both countries. We shall probably never know the secrets which are buried in the archives of the State department and which may or may not have disclosed a pin-prick- ing attitude on the part of Japan which made some kind of demonstra- ton necessary. It was perfectly well understood at the time that the con- clusion of peace between Japan and Russia, in which President Roosevelt played such a conspicuous part led the Japanese public to believe or sus- pect that American influence had been used to strengthen the cause of the Russians. The terms of the settlement were not to the liking of the proud Japanese. Secretary Taft was made to feel this disposition when he was last in Japan.
 Then followed the unfortunate out break againSt the Japanese in San Francisco on account of the demand of Japanese residents for the free en- | try into the public schools of that city. the disagreeable impression of which was not removed by the Presidents complimentary allusions to Japan in his message to congress. The an- Inouncement that the battleship fleet would be sent to the Pacific coast lcaused further irritation. not but that the United States is justified in nov ling it's fighting ships wherever 1t sees fit along It's own extended coast llne, put that the time chosen seemed ill., ladvised. Even the great American pub llic could not quite understand the new undertaking and was In spite of Itself made uneasy All these things oc- Touring in succession with the shadow of Japan over them more or less cre- lated 8 situation which could in nc lway have been met so successfully as lit has been met by the lucky visit oi the great secretary of sweet intent tc ITokio. His assurances of the peaceful latitude of this country towards Jap
 an will be accepted everywhere al
 based upon unalterable fact During
 his long and distinguished career h'
 has done nothing to compare with thil latest performance. There will be nc further talk of war with Japan.
 | Finally Secretary Taft has by thi lagreeable visit to Japan done much tt
 restore that feeling of confidence il his individuality which was in meas lure impaired by his self-effacemen
 as an original statesman on the stuml
 before he departed from the country AS we said at the time, we could no lsee how as a member of the cabine
 he could do otherwise than champion
 the policies of the administration ant
 we looked confidently to his re-estab llishment in the affections of his coun
 trymen when new work was cut ou flor him to do. His visit to Japan witt
 its splendid outcome Is the first ston
 laid in that foundation. Taft still lives