The Washington herald., 1907-04-04
Another Innnnese Invasion 2


The newspapers this week have been en-
livened by "A dispatch from Boston which
quotes the result Of an interview with a
distinguished Canadian who was admit
ted to the presence or the President OF
the United States on recent visit TO
Washington The Interested and appre-
ciatiye guest on that occasion was the
Hon. John H. Bell, who Is made to rem
der his impressions Of the occupant Of
the White House in the following fashion:
I Il met the President through Senator Proctor.
There was no f0mality When the President under
stood that had been in public life in Canada he a
sisted ON my sitting in his chair Of state while be
attended 10 some pressing business. Then Senator
Proctor and called into his private office for
a further chat
4lbe President was quite familiar with an Cana
dian matters.
Then the conversation turned to hunting. By
the way, said he 10 me, 7 must tel sou that sens-
Ter Piuctor Is my mentor in hunting
Turning TO senator Proctor the President said
Senator. / have been thinking seriously Of having
the japanese system Of wrestling introduced into the
schools at West Point II is not so gentle as foot
ball but 1t would be excellent exercise for the boys.
I must apologize. Alr. President said Senator
Is Perhaps sou VIII explain
The President thea explained the system 20 the
flli satisfaction OF the Senator aud showed him how
20 stand opponent on his bead
1t is imaginable that the incident de-
scribed by the Canadian visitor occurred
exactly as he represented il TO his Bos-
ten inGuisitor. II is regrettable. however,
that the narrator fails TO state in what
manner the President Of the United States
gave the valuable demonstration Ia Jap
anese wrestling and whether the eXhibi-
tiou was conducted with the aid of the
senior Senator from Vermont. who is
also chairman OF the Senate Committee
on Agriculture aud Is an ex-Secretary Of
War. II Is somewhat difficult. due prob
ably to Indefinite newspaper compost
ton. TO know whether when the Presi-
dent showed Senator Proctor how to
stand an opponent on his head. the head
thus used was the opponents own. or
that of the President. or that of the Sen
ator from Vermont or an three In any
event We can we'll believe that the ex-
hibit was entirely characteristic and wei
worth the price OF admission.
AS far as the public is interested in
DIR. R00sevelt's intention 20 Introduce jim
iItsu into the athletics at West Point IT
is certain that this particular form Of
japanese invasion will meet with the
same dsfavor which marked its at
tempted employment ina the physical train
ing of the midshipmau at the Naval
Academy Mr. Roosevelt was much iIr-
pressed with japanese wrestling and, IS
the results Of numerous bouts with the
best exponent Of the art, ordered that
the Naval Academy officials prepare 10
receive the japanese wrestler as one of
the academic instructors i'm the athletics
Of the midshipmen. The exercise was
regarded as too hazardous i'm all respects.
and as depending solely upon the unfair
advantage OF an opponent. The japanese
wrestler went home to Tokyo. and his
work with the midshipmen was limited
10 short season. In view Of the recon-
mendations by the Naval Academy au-
thorities. il would be remarkable if MT
Roosevelt retains any serious intention Of
compelling the cadets az West Point 10
engage in exercises which offer violence
/ To American ideals of fair play and
which introduce unnecessary peril in the
scheme of the physical development Of
youth. Surely this entranced Canadian
must have misunderstood the President
OF the United States.