The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-10-01
Toxic Entertains the American
Secretary Of War.
Members of Cabinet and PrOmi.
nent Statesmen Present.
MADE THEM A SPEECH.
Told Them That His Country
Was Proud of Them.
Declared War Between the
Countries Would Be a Crime.

Toxic. Oct 1.-The banquet in honor
/ of Secretary of War Taft given last
| night by the municipality and the
| chamber of commerce and attended by
Japan's prominent statesmen, includ-
ing the members of cabinet brought
| forth a notable speech by the secretary
who made splendid impression. After
the dinner, the assembly room present.
ed a remarka BILE scene, every one con-
graduating every one else on what was
considered a complete removal of the
cloud that had arisen between Japan
and the United States and the silencins
of sensationalists.
Secretary Taft began by giving
thanks for his welcome and the evil
dence of good will shown. He then re-
ferred to Japan'S recent war and said
the Americans were proud rnat Mr..
Roosevelt, with the prestige of the
American presidency, hastened peace
that was honorable to both japan and
Russia
The secretary spoke Of Japan's great
progress the share America has in
proud of Japan, which has always had
the cordial sympathy of the United
States, This brought the secretary
down to the recent reports of friction
and he said:
Nov for the moment there is only
little cloud over our friendship OF
fifty years, but the greatest earthquake
of the century could not shake our
amity. I do not intend to consider de-
tails. I can not trespass upon the
jurisdiction of the depar rtment of state
and discuss the events in san Fran
cisco, but / can say that there is Moth
ing that is not capable of honorable
and full adjustment by ordinary di-
plomacy."
The secretary in speaking of war
said he did not hold that war was en-
rol WI int
grievances can not otherwise be re-.
dressed.
But war is hell" he said. "and only
a great cause which can not be settled
by diplomacy justifies it,
Secretary Taft said war between
Japan and the United States would be
a crime against civilization. Neither
desired it, neither would gain anything
from it and botn governments would
strain every nerve to prevent 1t.
The secretary characterized even the
suggestion of war as Infamous and de-
clared that Americas good will to-
ward Japan was as warm as ever. In
concluding, Secretary Taft said he had
been to Japan four times and had pre-
viously been honored by an audience
with the emperor. He felt that the
with a. second invitation was due to a
desire to send a message of good will
to Americans and show the world that
Japan was friendly to them.
Secretary Taft aroused the widest en-
thusiasm and loud cheers when in the
course of his speech, he declared that
war between the United States and |
Japan would be a "crime against mod
ern civilization and as wicked as 1T |
would be insane" adding that neither !
people desired it and that both govern
ments would do their utmost to guard |
aginst such an awful catastrophe.
The secretary spoke with intense |
pQrnnSfnaCC after "a iIar ti<Nx,I
and preparation.
The banquet took place in the assem- |
bly, room of the Imperial hotel Wis |
count Shibusawa presiding, and was at |
of the leading business men of Toxic |
Mr.. Taft sat on the right of Viscount |
Shibusawa and MIR. O'Brien, the new |
American ambassador to Japan, was |
seated on his left The decorations of |
the hall were magnificent and a good |
band furnished the music. Among |
those present were many ladies, includ-
ing Americans.
Viscount Shibusawa, in welcoming Mr.
Taft, paid glowing tribute to the |
greatness of the nation which the sec
retary represented, the friendliness
which the United States had always |
displayed for Japan and the influence
which America exerted throughout the !
world.
L: replying Mr.. Taft spoke with deep
feeling and positiveness. He asserted
hat the talk of unfriendliness between
The United States and Japan was due
entirely to the commercialism of the
in America" The secretary
declined to discuss the immigration
question, saying that he would not tres
pass upon the field of the state depart
entire matter was easy of sensible ar
'angement between sensible men,"
Continuing Mr.. Taft said:
Proud of Roosevelt.
Americans will always be proud of
he part President Roosevelt was able
% play in Fastening the end of the
var and bringing about peace under
circumstances honorable to both ia
pan and Russia. Japan, having proved
Ter greatness in war, has taken a
itand in the first rank of the family of
You have concluded treaties
With your former antagonist and the
caused by the war are healed.
1.-The growth of Japan, from a her
nit nation to her present position in
he last fifty years is marvel to the
he fact that japan has always had
he cordial sympathy and at times the
aid of the United States
"For moment-for moment only |
"a little cloud came over the sun
hine of the fast friendship of fifty
ears Only the greatest earthquake
n a country could cause even the
ligf1test tremor between such friends.
do not intend to consider the details
# events at San Francisco, cannot
respass on the jurisdiction of the de-
,artment of state. 1t is for my col
eague Mr.. Elihu Root, or my friend
Ir. O'Brien to discuss this matter I
ay there is nothing in these events
hat cannot be honorably and fully ar
anged by ordinary diplomatic meth
IDS between the two governments,
conducted as they both are by states-l
men of honor, sanity and justice.
war between japan and thel