The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-19

"The fact that the fleet is sailing to-
wards the Pacific creates no excite
ment here and as I have said before
to you Japan views in the friendliest
in the scope of isdom, see fit to take
in the disposition of its naval force,
because the Japanese people have
absolute confidence in the friendly at
titude of the statesmen and the great
mass of the American people. We
hope that the fleet may have a sue
cessful and safe voyage and Americans
everywhere may rest assured that
should the fleet decide to visit the far
east, at no place will it receive a
heartier welcome than in Japan
Foreign Minister Viscounts Hayashi,
in giving the above statement to the
Associated Press representative this
morning, voiced the sentiment of the
the actual sailing of the fleet only
reached Japan yesterday and this
morning it filtered out through the
vernacuiar and foreign press accom-
panied by a description of the scenes
on the ships.
Amused at Rojestvensky.
A special dispatch carried an inter
view with the Russian Admiral
Rojestvensky under a New York date,
comparing the chances of a Japanese
fleet against the American. This in
terview caused some amusement in
naval and diplomatic circles. in view
of Rojestvenskys fate when he
reached Japan, but it was noticeable
that none of the naval officers would
be led into a discussion of the ad-
miraPs view for publication.
Admiral Count Togo said:
IT am very glad the fleet has
started for the Pacific. If I am cor
rectly informed, it is expected on this
side in April or May next. If it
should ultimately touch on our
shores we will greet them as friends
and give them the warmest reception.
I'VE entertain nothing but the
kindliest feelings towards American
sailors"
The minister Of the navy, Admiral
Sailo said:
1.-The American fleet will be heartily
welcomed should it visit Japan.
know Admiral Evans well. He is de-
sailor, and 1 sincerely hope that he
will bring his ships on this side, and
give up a chance to show our appre-
citation of his good qualities"
What Prince Ito Says
Prince Ito, resident general of
Korea, said:
America has always been a help
full friend to Japan, and the japanese
are staunch admirers of President
Roosevelt. We have never had any
other idea than that it was quite in
the rights of America to dispatch
fleet where it was desired and it will
be especially welcomed should it come
to Japan. 1 have always maintained
that talk of war between Japan and
America is unspeakable. unthinkable
and the attitude of the Japanese peo-
pie towards the fleet will ultimately
prove the sincerity of our words which
have been consistently friendly
Privy Councillor Viscount Kaneko
said:
1.-The dispatch of the fleet is regard
ed only as the natural outcome in the
course of things, such as exist in tho
United States. Early in 1892, when I
saw ex-President Cleveland at Gray
Gables, I ventured to point out to him
what is now occurring. / then said
that the Atlantic side of the United
States had realized such conditions of
development, that left little for fur
ther exploration, while the Pacific
was extending an immense field for
commercial interest and that eventual
ly American energy must be directed
towards that goal
LET me call your attention to tn Z
fact that the Bulwer-Clayton treaty
was drawn simply in consideration of
American developments on the Pacific
side. Commercial interest once de-
veloped the only natural consequence
is that warships will follow the COM
mercial carriers. Americans are al
ready largely interested in the Pacific.
why, therefore, should not that por-
ton of their dominion be protected.
Moreover, the center of diplomacy
having shifted to Asia. it is of pre-
of the Pacific should be well guarded
and insured. AS things now stand
such a guardian should be the United
States and Japan and an increase of
armament in the Pacific can only
mean considerable addition to the