New-York tribune., 1908-08-15
OKUMA'S HORNET NEST
Stir an Japan OUer False Reports OF
4merica's attitude.

Toxic. Aug 14-spetial dispatches from New
York and London printed in Japanese newspapers
represent that the recent utterance of Count
okuna. attrtbuting the naval Epansion policy OF
the United States to the sudden rise of Japan as
world power is arousing intense indignation, and
has caused a complete recrudescence of anti-Jap-
anese sentiment throughout America The New
York newspa pers quoted as edorially urging an
American Chinese alliance for the purpose of off
setting the Eelligerency of the japanese There is
also a quotation attributed to WI Ting fang, Chi
Minister to the United States. on the subject
of an alliance in which he threatens Japan with
"an early evidence of the real power of the Amer
lean navy
Americans living in Toxic. Yokohama and else
where throughout Japan are extremely indignant
They believe that the dispa tches exaggerate the
tone of the New York newspapers. and feel that it
is particularly unfortunate that at this time any
thing should be permitted to retard the increasingly
friendly relations of the two nations. American
business men especially regret the publications
Count Okunla's fraduent utterances DO not create
ripple here and his most recent was almost
unnoticed until the dispatches announced the OUT
cry of the American newspapers. Among Japanese
statesmen and editors the first expression even then
of amusement Count Okuma is regarded
here a politician who is now completely without
political influence except in academic circles His
statement concerning the American navy and
President Roosevets advocacy of its expansion
undoubtedly brought out by reports of Congressman
HobSon 3 speech in the Democratic NdOonal Con
vention when he quoted President Roosevelt
predicting an early with Japan.
The statement which has caused all the comment
was an excerpt from series of articles by Count
Okuma reviewing world politics printed in the
'4ochi' Of Toxic
When Count Okurna returned o-day from the
country he said that he surprised find that
his utterances had been considered purposey often
sive. He said:
It only natural in reviewing the worlds
politics to point that Japan's rise above the
horizon had caused the American navy to turn its
attention toward the Pacific 1t is undoubtedly
true that some Americans talk unwisely concerning
Japan, but never for en- instant have l desired
intended to reflect the honor and courage of
the American navy or its sailors. It is uncon-
trovertible fact, however, that commercial n
sidera tions weigh materially with all older com
mercia nations. when IT becomes a question
of No will endeayor more earnestly than
because 1 realize that only through such cordial
relations can japan hope to become really great
nation.
In article published in the "Hochi" on August
II. Count Okuma attributed the present naval ex-
pansion policy of the United States to the sudden
rise of Japan to the importance of world power
saying IN part:
Judging from the fragmentary speeches of Presi-
dent Roosevelt which have been transmitted here.
it is difficult infer that the augmentation of
the United States navy in the Pacific is directed
at Japan
Count Okuma expressed a doubt. however that
the views and ideas of President Roosevelt would
long continue to govern public opinion in America