The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1907-10-02
WAR A CRIME
SAYS TAFT
IN JAPAN
Secretary Greeted
Warmly at Toxic
Banquet
Bears Message of Peace;
Expects One in Return
Little Cloud Passed,
Leaving Nations
Friendly
Hostile Talk Fosfered
by Political Opponents


TOKYO, Oct. Secretary
Taft aroused warm enthusiasm
and loud cheers when, in the
course of his speech at the BAN
quet given IN his honor by the
municipality of Tokyo and
chamber of commerce, he de-
Clared that. war between the
United States and Japan would
be q crime against modern civili-
zation and as wicked as it would be
insane He ADDED that neither people
desired it, and that both governments
would do their utmost TO guard against
such q catastrophe.
The secretary spoke with intense
esruestness. after careful Ideliberation
and preparation.
The banquet took place in the as
sembly room Of the Imperial hotel. Wis
count shimibusawa presiding. and was
} sttepded by prominent officials and
many of the leading businessmen oi
Toxic. Taft sat on the right of Shimi.
blsawa and Embsssador O'Brien. waG
seated on his left. Many American
women were among those present.
Yiscoupt Shimibusawa. IN welcoming
secretary Taft. paid q glowing tribute
10 the greatness of the nation which
h represented. the. friendliness which
ehe United states had always displayed
for Japan and the influence America
exerted throughout the world
In replying Taft spoke with deep feel.
ing and -positiveness. He asserted thai
The talk Of unfriendliness between tn.
United States and Japan was due en-.
tirely to the commercialism Of tn,
newspap pers IN America. The secretar,
declined TO discuss the immigration
question, saying that he would not tres
pass upon the field Of the state de
pertinent. ambassador oBrien wouIt
say that the entire matter was -ess.
Of sensibs arrangement between sensi
bic men Continuing Taft said:
NATIONS DESIRE PEACE
Americans viii always be proud O,
the part President Roosevelt was abl,
70 play in Fastening the end Of tn,
war, bringing about peace under cir
cumstznces honorable TO both. Jspal
and Russia Japan having proved he
greatness in war, has taken a stand il
the first rank of the family Of nations
leu have concluded treaties with you
former antagonists and the wound
caused by the war are healed.
The growth Of Japan, from a hermi
nation TO her present position in tn
last so years is a marvel to the world
Americans are proud to record the fac
that Japan has always had the cordis
svmpsthy and at times the effectiv
aid Of the United States. For momen
for a moment only little clou
came over the sunshine OF the fas
friendship Of so years
aopIy the greatest earthquake IN cen
furies could cause even the sIightes
,reuor between such friends. d
not intend TO consider the details o
the events at San Francisco. 1 can
not treSpass on jurisdiction of the de
partmenf of state. IL fs for my col
league. MIR. Root, or my friend, III
O-Brfen. TO discuss this matter. L ga
that there is nothing fn those event
that cannot be honorabIy and fully ar
ranged by ordinary diplomatic method
between the two governments, conducs
ed a. they both are by statesmen @
honor. sanity and justice. War be
tween Japan and the United State
would be . crime against modern civil
izatfoB. II would be insane. Neithe
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