Los Angeles herald., 1908-02-17

TAKAHIRA
DECLARES
FOR PEACE
TOXIC WOULD WELCOME THE
FLEET, HE ASSERTS
BELIEVES NEWSPAPERS HAVE
CAUSED AGITATION
Representative Of Mikado at Washing-
ton Lands in New York and viii
Hasten to Pay Respects
to Roosevelt

Ry Associated Press.
NEW YORK, Feb. 16.--Declaring that
war between the United States and
Japan would be the "most inhuman
event in the worlds history" and was
"too hellish' to be thought Of, Baron
Kogore Takahira, the new Japanese
ambassador to Washington, said today,
upon landing in New York from the
steamer Etruria, that the Japanese
know absolutely nothing of a break in
the cordial relations which have been
historic between the two nations.
Talk of war; Baron Takahira de-
clared with much emphasis, was ut
terly unintelligible to him, unless, as
some one had suggested. it was spread
broadcast to serve the commercial
ends of some newspapers.
The new ambassador said there
might be some matters pending in
Washington which would require his
attention, but they were not serious.
AS to the cruise of the American
fleet to the Pacific ocean, he regarded
it purely as a naval maneuver on
grand scale-designed to show to the
world at large that America has
wonderful naval power, which can be
dispatched anywhere at moments
notice, "in support of a. Legitimate
cause, which always is at the bottom
of American diplomacy"
Is Roosevelt's Friend
Baron Takahira will leave for Wash
ington tomorrow morning at IL o'clock
to present his credentials to President
Roosevelt. He is warm personal
friend of Mr.. Roosevelt, and is looking
forward to his meeting with the CHER
executive with a great deal OF pleasure
The baron is returning to Washing
ton after an absence of two years,
srent in Rome as ambassador TO italy
The baron left Washington as minis
ter and was subsequently elevated to
the rank of ambassador HE was one
of the Japanese ENJOYS at the Ports
mouth peace conferences.
Il am pleased to come back to this
country in my present capacity SAID
Baron Takashira Il started my dip
lomatic career as an attache at our le-
cation in Washington some thirty years
ago, and / always have regarded that
city as my cradle. Now ] am going
back there as the personal representa-
tive of the Japanese emperor, accredit-
ed to the president of the United
States, and L think I can consider 1t
as the triumphal entry into that CITY,
Il naturally recall to mind at this
moment the pleasant experiences had
through the most trying time OF my
last stay at washington. 1t was at the
crucial time of my career, working day
and night for nearly two years, and the
friendship received from America did
much to diminish the anxiety that 9TH
erwise would have been immense.
mo one knows better than 1 how
sincere and true were the expressions
of your sentiments. No one appreciates
more than / do the high value of such
sympathy All that l thought of you
then freely expressed at the time. and
my words must be remembered by
those who cared to take an interest In
me. So there is no need to repeat
them. They simply tell you now that
am the same man that was and that
am of the same mind as when I left
your country in December, 1905.
Some Questions Pending
"I know there were some questions
arising after / left--about the segrega-
ton of Japanese children in some of
the schools of the Pacific coast and OF
Japanese immigration. / cannot, Of
course, tell you at this moment how
I will have to deal with what remains
to require my attention at Washington
CAS- to the voyage of the American
fleet to the Pacific, so much talked OF
recently, consider it purely an Ameri-
can affair. / hear there has been all
sorts of speculation as to the motive
of such voyage. But always thought
the most reasonable one we can attri-
butte is naval maneuver on grand
SCALE The United States is country
of the most pacific Intentions, as has
been we'll proved by history.
"As we say in our proverb, Don't
forget war in time of peace, it must
be necessary ever. for such great
as this to ascertain now and
then the working capacity OF its ships
and the good discipline of its men. You
will certainly learn a great deal from
such a long cruise by such a largo
force.
1.-THE ships have not only gone to the
Pacific coast, but have passed through
South American waters. and II there is
anything in their movements that con-
stitutes a demonstration ii must be a
to the world at large.
In order to show that the United States
has such great power that 1t can be
sent out any moment in support of a
legitimate cause. which always is. at {
the foundation qf American diplomacy.
Japan Not Suspicious
1--WE have. therefore, no reason to be
suspicious about the visit of the ships
20 the Pacific. You may have noticed
that the Japanese newspapers have
been publishing lately, their decree or
aecision to welcome your fleet If it
should come to Japan. This shows
now our people regard the cruise.
War talk which hear has been
published frequently in connection with
he cruise. is utterly unintelligible to
ne. On the other side of the Atlantic.
where l have been until a few days
,go, saw many prominent men who
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