Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-16
Viscount Aoki.

Viscount Aoki.
ripen into fruit which will last long after
the mpe-fec blossoms have fallen to the
ground and been forgotten.
There are many reasons why there
should be peace between the United States
and Japan. My country shares with her
sister nations in the deeire for universal
peace. l have made the statement before,
and l repeat 1t here with even more en-
phasis The glory of successful war is
brilliant, but the glo-y of peace is greater
At the reception given to Gen. Baron Ku-
roki in New York city l was very much
pleased with the cordial welcome given to
the sons Of Japan by the citizens of that
great metropolis.
Without Thought Of War.
II felt, however. still greater satisfaction
when stopped to think that the resplendent
martial uniforms of the countries were
intermingling with each other in mission
of peace without any thought of war. and
that the b.ave men who have been
honored at home and respected abroad
were singing in one chorus the glory of
peace. The same thoughts came over me
when l attended the brilliant and most
hospitable reception rendered by the same
great city to Admiral Yamamcto. l am
also pleased that a society-the Japanese
Society of New York-has been formed to
promote and increase the friendly rela-
tions existing between my county and the
IUilSu SldleS VI AIlleIlCSl II was with
pleasure that 1 consented to become its
president, so heartily am l in sympathy
with the movement.
II realize that 1t is only the exciting and
startling statements in unreliable Japanese
papers that are cabled to this country and
reprinted here. l regret that the friendly
expressions in such papers as the Jill, the
Toxic Asahi. the kokumin Shimbun, etc,
are not also reprinted. The real sentiment
of Japan is we'll expressed In the following
words of Mr.. Kogoro Takahira, formerly
Japanese minister to the United States: In
the eyes of Nippon, my own land sees no
nation whose friendship and good will she
values above that of the United States
Difficulties may possibly arise in the future,
owing to the fact that each nation sees
matters from a different point of view.
Members of the same family do not always
see the same thing in the same light, but
this does not cause serious trouble. The
correct point of view is finally secured, and
matters again go along smoothly. Both ma
tons realize that peace must be preserved.
Conservative View.
II am conservative man, but not so con-
servative some. In order to have hon
orable peace believe that it is Just as nee
essary for japan to have navy sufficient
to protect her rights it is necessary for
a community to have police force sufi-
cient to protect the rights of individuals.
The better and more efficient the police,
the more peaceful the community. The fear
who do not find sufficient reward in the
enjoyment of peace. 1 believe that in no
other way. at present. at least, can any
ton preserve honorable peace.
Japan wants peace in which to develop
along other lines. She has had enough of
war. l agree perfectly with Gen. Kuroki
when he says: The Japanese people love
peace. They fought for peace My nation
wants peace in which to develop the oppor-
tunities that are hers. We have no other
desire. The profession which 1 have the
misfortune to follow is noble only because
war is sometimes necessary to establish
conditions in which peace may be main
tanned and in which the arts of peace may
flourish
Il am glad of the opportunity to assure
the American people that their friendship is
appreciated by Japan in return, ana l want
to thank them thus prominently for the
! most hearty and friendly welcome that
men on several different occasions. Such
frlendliness on the part of the United
States and the American people will not
soon be forgotten.
Reasons for Peace.
I'm closing this little message of peace
and good will, 1t seems to me that there
are at least three great insurmountabse res-
sons why there should always be peace
First, there are the commercial reasons
Neither nation can afford the commey cial
loss to her shipping interests. Not only
would the commerce between America and
Japan be practically destroyed, bit also that
with other nations with whom either one
has commercial relations The commercial
reasons are given first because the CONNER
| ciai instinct is so strong in both nations
| but not because they are really greater than
| the others.
The second or moral reasons are lust as
| important. Both are civilized nations The
| progress of civilization has always been
| from state of continual warfare in bar
| barrie days toward a state of peace botn IN
the nation itself and with sister nations at
| large. Then there are the historical rea-
| sons. some of which l have already brisfy
| mentioned. 1t was the United States who
| first opened the ports of Japan to the
world. and how absurd it Is TO think Thai
| she should ever attempt to close them. Bet
| what is the use of giving reasons why
there should be peace when there is not one
l single reason why there shou d be war?