Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-22
LEAVES WITH REGRET
Ambassador Aoki Discusses
His Coming Departure.
HAS MANY FRIENDS HERE
Hopes for Closer Relations Between
America and Japan.
HARD JOLT FOR LYNCHBURG
Bryan, When Asked to Speak There,
Asks $5oo-Money Used
in Prison.
HAS MANY FRIENDS HERE
HARD JOLT FOR LYNCHBURG
BY WILLIAM e. CURTIS.

BY WILLIAM e. CURTIS.
Written for The Star and the Chicago Record
Herald.
No member of the diplomatic corps ever
left Washington with greater, regret than
Count Aoki, the Japanese ambassador. He
has made many warm friends in this
country, he has commanded universal
respect and he thoroughly appreciates the
cordially and confidence that have been
shown him.
II was aware Of the friendly disposition
of the people of the United States toward
my country before 1 came to Washing
ton" he said yesterday, land knew that
1t was as strong as the friendship OF the
Japanese people for America But was
not prepared for the overwhelming kind
ness that has been shown to me an. my
family by everybody during our entire
residence here, and it is actually painful
to leave a city in which we have been so
happy and have enjoyed such cordial hos
pitality. 1 hope, however, that our inter-
course with the American people may
not be entirely lost, for 1 shall endeavor
to make the relations between the two
countries closer and more profitable TO
each so far as my influence can be
exerted. The unfriendly demonstrations
of evil-minded people on either side can
not affect our relations. Lhey have made
no difference and can maze no difference
between the intelligent people of both
countries.
1.-The high ideals Of the American ma
ton have been adopted by Japan and we
shall continue to exemplify them But l
want to see something more than pla
tonic affection. 1 would have our bust
ness relations, our material interests cul-
tivated on both sides. The commercial
and industrial relationship can be and
in several directions. l especially desire
to see the investment of American capital
in Japan and the cooperation of the bust
ness men of both countries in industry
and commerce.
THAT is what I have endeavored to
bring about and I go back to my coun-
try with the purpose even more firmly
fixed in my mind tnan ever. We have
plenty Of labor in Japan and We need
capital. Your people have plenty Of CAPT.
tai, although you have needed 1t for the
development Of your domestic resources
until recently. You are now reaching
out into other countries for Investments
and to engage in business enterprises, and
no country offers such favorable oppor-
tunities as Japan. 1t is true that con-
cessions are not given to foreigners in
my country, but it is easy and profitable
to enter into partnership wi.n Japanese
citizens under acceptable conditions. This
has already been done to a certain ex-
tent by many American citizens and the
number can be increased great deal to
mutual advantage.
Commercial Relations Imperative.
Commercial relations are imperative.
We must have your cotton and you must
have our silk and tea and other articles
that you do not produce, and this COM
manner. 1t ought to bring the two ma
tons nearer together. The intelligent and
patriotic people Of both nations feel alike
and Insignificant causes of friction have
not disturbed their confidence in each
other. We have politicians and agitators,
just as You have, who seize upon every
excuse and opportunity to make trouble,
and If they did not have Japan to. find
fault, with in this country it would be
something else But this agitation is
only on the surface and it is confined to
very small number of people on both
sides of the Pacific. Our government I'M
derstands that as clearly as yours
I'VE want to keep our labor at home.
1t is needed there and It will be needed
more and more, particularly il we can
induce American capital to come over to
Japan and assist in the development OF
our industries. Labor Is much cheaper
in Japan than in the United States; the
cost Of production is much less, as the
products can be sold for the same price
or even cheaper than those manufactured
in this country and in Europe, with a
very much greater proportion of profit
l should be very glad to assist with in
formation and advice any American cap
italist who desires to investigate the in
dustrial opportunities and the advantages
for the Investment of money in Japan.
America. I am touched by the express
sions of friendship and regret upon my
departure. Both my wife and myself ap-
preciate very deeply all Of the kindness
we have received from the American peo-
pie and the hospitality they have offered
us. The President and Secretary Root
have been specially courteous to me, and
I am profoundly grateful to'them We
have never had any differences of opin-
ion, and their consideration for me and
for the interests of my country has ex-
pressed the friendship which the Japanese
people have always enjoyed from the
American people,
Severe Jolt for Lynchburg.
Lynchburg. Va, has had very Sc
we're jolt. Not long ago, when a fiesta
was in preparation down there, a commit
tee was appointed to secure some great
attraction which would draw the people
from the surrounding country into the
town to spend their money. The first
and unanimous suggestion was a speech
from William Jennings Bryan, and the
committee sent an invitation to the peer
less one to come down and crate. AS
Lyncbburg is the residence Of John W.
Daniel, one of the members Of the United
States Senate from Virginia, whose diff
ferences with Mr.. Bryan are known
throughout the civilized world, it was be-
lieved that the latter would jump at the
opportunity and embrace 1t with graft
tude and fervor. Hence the members of
the committee of invitation suffered an
unexpected sense of injury when they re-
ceived his reply and were informed that
his price for such little visitations was
$500.
They had expected to pay Mr.. Bryan's
expenses and to entertain him to the full