The San Francisco call., 1907-06-06
Tokyo Government to
Be Urged to Secure
Change in Treaty

Claiming that the German wife of
the japanese ambassador, Viscount
Siuzo Aoki, has denationalized him,
and that he is concerned too much
with the uxorial vanities of diplomatic
life st Washington to be mindful OF
the business of his sovereign, the
Japanese of San Francisco have given
up hope OF obtaining any redress
through Viscount Aoki, and have de-
cided to send man OF frank speech
to Tokyo to lay the situation in San
Francisco before the privy council and
the mikado.
'.Aoki is showing the same lack Of
interest in the vital problems now fac
ing US In the United States as he ex-
hibfted when he was minister to Ber-
lin and allowed the kaiser to scheme
with France and Russia and compel
Japan to relinQuish the districts OF the
Fengtien peninsula ceded by China
under the terms Of the Shimonoseki
treaty" say these japanese. who do
not forget. That was in 1895. Aoki
has not changed since. He is too busy
slipping sparkling waters and exchang-
ing amenities with the white mems
diplomats to see the danger threaten
ing US. The social obligations OF his
viscountess engage all his attention.
We must act for ourselves"
Kfutaro. Abilxo. president Of the
Japznese association OF America, is the
envoy selected by the Japanese for
this mission 10 Tokyo Realizing the
delicate and arduous task OF discredit-
ing an accredited ambassador, Abiko
has shown q reluctance about accept
ing the billet, but the Japanese are in
sistent about thrusting It upon him
snd declare that his sense Of duty
should not permit him to refuse.
The feeling OF the Japanese in the
matter is portrayed by a cartoon pub
lished in the Japanese New World,
their leading daily paper in San Fran
cisco, which represents Abiko hoverin e
between symbolical figures of Duty
10 Country and Private Business"
The former is represented by court
Official, robed In the style OF the
Tokugawa shogunate A geisha and
money bags typify the pleasure and
comforts he will have to abandon tenn
porarily TO accept the mission. Decora-
tions that will reward him for the Sue
cessful handling Of his mission are dis
played, together with inscriptions ad-
vising him TO lay the situation in the
United States before the statesmen
business men and newspapers of
Japan. The cartoon carries a cap
tion, declaring bluntly that Abiko, in
his indecision, stands between honor
and disgrace.
AbikO has been living In San Fran
cisco and elsewhere on the Pacific
coast for 20 years and is interested IN
2 number OF different business enter
prises. His interest in these enters into
his reluctance about accepting the
mission. but there appears to be no
doubt among the Japanese as to what
his ultimate decision will be. His stand
ing in the japanese community, they
declare, viii be der '7aent upon his ac-
ceptance Of the pission. A fund to
6efrsy his expenses while abroad has
been raised by the Japanese associa-
tion and Abiko is expected to sail some
time in the middle of this month.
One of the chief things Abiko will
try TO impress upon the Tokyo govern
ment Is the necessity, from the Japan
ment entered into by Roosevelt and
United States OF japanese laborers
clare that Japan can never have any
extensive interests in the United
States while this agreement remains in
force
While the matter OF Abiko's mission
is pending il is doubtful whether the
result of the Investigations now being
made by United States District Attor-
ney DevIin will have definite effect in. the
negotiations between Washington and
Tokyo. The Japanese government has