The Washington herald., 1908-03-21
JAPAN SEEKS LIGHT
Naval Attache interested III
DOings in the House.
VISITS THE NAVAL COMMITTEE
Commander TaniEuehi, Accompanied
by BraEiI's NAVAL Attache, Asks for
Bills Recently Introduced and
Brought Before Naval Committee.
Causes Some Comment.

Japan's evident interest in things mill
tary or naval In which the United States
is concerned was shown yesterday. when
Commander Naomi Taniguchi. naval at
tache at the Japanese Embassy. accom-
panied by Lieut.. Commander Raider de
Aquino. naval attache of the Brazilian
Legation. spent some time in the House
wing OF the Capitol
The two naval attaches seemed 70 be
greatly interested in the Congressional
activity which was directed yesterday 10
the consideration OF the fortincation bill.
The attaches yentured into the House
Committee on Naval Affairs. where they
asked for the bills which have recently
been introduced in the House
Among these bills. although possibly
the attaches did not know it, is the one
of Representative Bates. providing for
the fortihcation Of Pearl Harbor. in the
Hawaiian Islands. The bills could not be
furnished there. nor could the testimony
taken before the special committee now
investigating the submarine scandal
They Might Have Heard.
The two attaches possibly did not pene-
trate 20 the galleries. where they might
have heard something concerning the de-
tense of the Pacifc-tO which a large
portion OF this years fortihcation appro-
priation Is 20 be devoted. but they did
wander casually over TO the Office build
ing
on the fourth floor they found the room
Of the special investigating committee
and secured copies of the hearings before
the committee. These hearings have dis
closed quite a large amount OF accurate
or loose information concerning sub
marines
While there may be some conjecture as
to whether the attaches Fanted the testi-
mony OF Secretary Of the Navy Metealf or
Rear Admiral Capps on submarines. it
is probably idle, because the testimony
OF these two high officials has not yet
been printed
Some comment was aroused among
those who saw the two men yesterday in
their brief but comprehensive naval tour.
I The fact that there seemed TO be some
interest in bills recently introduced and
/ referred TO the House Naval Committee,
which include the fortlacatlon OF Pearl
I iHarbOr-the gateway tc the Pacifc-and
the further fact that the fortihcations
/ bill was being considered on the floor,
! gave rise TO some talk.
+ The submarine inquiry. however. has
not yet developed much information that
would be Of interest to Japan or Brazil.
although. OF course. il is interesting read
ing for any naval officer, no doubt.
Has an office.
The Navy Department. il is understood,
maintains an intelligence Office. where the
foreign powers which are represented in
Washington can obtain certain informa-
ticn which they may desire.
Il is considered probable that neither
attache knew the usual custom. and that
they Just naturally went 10 Congress
which is easy Of access. and where there
is much of interest.
Still. there is some talk.
While the action OF the japanese anC
Brazilian is not expected 10 precipitat,
a casus belli between the United State.
and Brazil, il is the expectation tha'
a hint will be conveyed 10 the diplomat.
that in the future they must apply I,
the Secretary OF State when they desin
to procure Congress documents relating
TO the defenses Of the United States
Wu Ting-Fang. then as now, Chimes
Minister TO the United States, creates
some excitement a few years ago b!
appearing before the Senate Committe-
on Appropriations and making an argu
ment against Chinese exclusion MI w
narrowly escaped being censured for tina
action.