New-York tribune., 1907-10-02


Viscount Shibusawa and AIr. O'Brien. the
American Ambassador 70 Japan, was seated on
MS left The hall decorated, and good
pand furnished the music Among those present
We're many women. including Americans.
Nlscount ShibUsawa. in welcoming Mr.. Taft
pald glowing tribute to the greatness of the
nation which the Secretary represented, the
frlendliness which the United States had al
ways displayed for Japan and the influence
which America exerted throughout the world
Replying, Mr.. Taft spoke with deep feeling
and positiveness- He asserted that the talk of
unirlendllness between the United States and
Japan was due entirely to the commercialism
OF the newspapers in America" The Secretary
DECLINED to discuss the immigration question,
saying that he would not trespass on the field
OF the State Department. Mr.. OBren would
say that the entire matter was easy of sensi-
Bile arrangement between sensible men" Mr..
Taft said, in part:
Americans will always be proud OF the part
President Roosevelt able to play in hasten
ing the end of the and bringing about peace
under circumstances honorable to both Japan
ana Russia. Japan, having proved her great
ness IN war, has taken a stand in the first rank
OF the family of nations. You have concluded
treaties with your former antagonist and the
wounds caused by the healed.
Inc growth Of Japan, from a hermit nation to
her present position, in the last fifty years, is
marvel to the world, Americans proud to
cordial sympathy and at times the effective aid
or the United States. For a moment for a
moment only, little cloud came over the sun
shlhe or the fast friendship of fifty years. Only
the greatest earthquake of the century could have
caused even the slightest tremor between such
lrlends- do not intend to consider the details of
The events at San Francisco. l cannot trespass
the Jurisdiction of the Department OF State 1t
Is for my colleague, Mr. Roo: or nv friend Mr.
O'Brien, to discuss this .natter. l say that
there is nothing in these events that cannot be
honorably and fully arranged by ordinary dipIo-
hptI he two eyDyp pptG
conducted as they both by statesmen of
honor, sanity and justice. War between Japan
.nouern nlrn CIVILIZATION. II would be insane.
Neither the people of Japan nor the people OF
the United States desire war. The governments
of the two countries would strain every point
to avoid such an awful catastrophe. Neither
would gain anything.
Japan has undertaken. with the legitimate
interest of so close neighbOr, to reform and
reJuvenate the ancient kingdom that is gov
erned, or misgoverned, by fifteenth century
methods His majesty the Emperor had shown
his appreciation of the difficult task by sending
TO Corea Japan's greatest statesman. No mat
ter what the reports may be. matter what
criticism may be uttered. the world will have
confidence that Prince Ito and the Japanese
government pursuing q policy in Corea
which will make for justice civilization and the
welfare OF a backward people.
Why should Japan wish for war? II must
stop seriously delay the execution of her
plans for the reform OF Corea.
Why should the United States wish for war?
II would change her in year or more into
military nation. Her great resources would be
wasted in a vast equipment which could serve
good purpose. but would tempt the nation
into warlike policies Why should she wish
for war. in which all the evils of society flourish
and ali vuItures fatten? She Is engaged in
establishing a government of law and order in
the Philippines. fitting those people by general
education to govern themselves.
II has been suggested that might relieve
ourselves of this burden by the sale OF the
islands to Japan or some other country. The
suggestion is absurd. Japan does not wish for
the Philippine Islands. She has problems of Il
similar nature nearer home More than this the
United States could not sell the islands to
other power without the grossest violation OF its
obligations TO the Philippine people.
Under all these circumstances, then, could
there be anything more wicked, more infamous
than the suggestion Of between two nations
who have enjoyed such time honored friendship
and who have nothing to fight for?
Some one asks why such reports and rumors
of war? The capacity OF certain members OF
the modern press by sensational dispatches to
give rise to unfounded reports has grown with
the Improvement Of communication between
distant parts OF the world. The desire to sell
papers. the desire for political reasons to en-
barrass the existing government, or other and
even less justihable motives. have led to mis-
statements, mlsconstructons and unfounded
guesses. all worked into terrifying headlines
which have no foundation whatever
In each country doubtless. there ire
sponsible persons that would or might
make prominent who try to give seriousness TO
such discussions But when one considers the
real feelings of the two peoples as a whole,
when one considers the situation from the stand
point Of sanity and real patriotism Of each
moderate language. the conduct Of those who
attempting 10 promote misunderstandings
and i'll feeling between the two countries.
1t gives me pleasure 20 assure the people Of
Japan that the good Will of the American peo-
pie toward Japan is and cordial
ever The suggestion Of breach in the ami
cable relations between them finds no confrma-
ton in public opinion in the United States.
Mr. Taft then said 1t gave him great pleasure
TO bring this message Of good will from Presi-
dent Roosevelt. He added he felt that the fact
that the japanese Emperor had for the second
time honored him with invitation TO audi
ence was due to his majesty's desire to send a
message OF good viii to the United States and
show to the world that Japan friendly to
the Americans,
Mr.. Taft sat down amid applause which clearly
demonstrated that his speech had made splen-
did impression.
After the dinner the assembly the
scene Of a remarkable demonstration Of good
will, everybody congratulating everybody else
on what considered to be Il complete re
moval of the little cloud which had been
hanging the friendship between the United
States and Japan, and rejoicing at the fact that
a final damper had been put on the sensational
utterances regarding the possibility Of strained
relations between the two countries.
An especially pleasing effect was produced by
the Secretary's concluding remark about the
Japanese Emperor and his maiesty's intention
to send a message Of good will to the United
States.
In the course Of the dinner fire broke out in a
large building I'm the Of the hotel. but while
IL caused some alarm, the incident did not in
terfere with the entertainment