Los Angeles herald., 1908-01-05
BARON AOKI'S
FINAL TOAST
ONE CE
RETIRING AMBASSADOR TALKS
AT LENGTH
PLEDGES JAPAN's FRlENDLINEss
TO AMERICA
Before Sailing for Toxic, Noted orien-
taI Is Shown Many Courtesies
by San Francisco
People
Ru Associated Press.

BY Associated Press.
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 4-Viscount S.
Aoki, Japanese ambassador at Washing
ton. who arrived in San Francisco last
night en- route to Toxic, having been re-
called by his government at his own re-
quest in an interview tonight denied the
statement attributed to him in an alleged
interviewed last night in which he was
quoted as saying: Japan is restricting
the emigration of laborers to this country
and will continue to do So and that IT
would be regarded as offensive to the
dignity of Japan for this country to pass
an exclusion law or endeavor TO empouy
the subject in a treaty"
"Such a statement did not emanate
from me-" emphatically declared the
ambassador in German, language with
which he is much more familiar than
with English.
II did not talk with any newspaper man
last night nor did 1 authorize any one
IN sneak for me, much less make such
statement. Furthermore, have not ols-
cussed the emigration question with any
one since 1 left Washington, nor nave
anything to add to my farewell statement
made by me to the American people prior
to my departure.
"I am returning to Japan after long
absence to confer with my government
upon various matters and convey 10 the
emperor the best wishes and expressions
of friendship from President Roosevelt
and, 1 believe, the American people
Japan Friendly
",rbe attitude of Japan toward this
oountrv is of the friendliest character
but the emigration question ana othe'
matters of policy between the two couh-
tries are for statesmen and diplomats
and cannot be so freely discussed IN pup
lie" ,,,., a.,
Reine able to explain himself readily IN
6.orn,an tbe Ambassador talked at length
,1non various topics, put declined 10 als-
c,,ss the vancouver race trouble the I'M
migration question in general or COM
xnent upon the transfer OF the pattleSHiP ~,
n at from the Atlantic to the RACINE
ocean. He laughed nearuiy "neii snu" 80
dispatch from Paris which stated tnae
the Japanese fleet had disappeared lrolii
its customary cruising ground ana was
reported to be in the vicinity OF Hawai-
Sf luncheon given in the empire
room of the St Francis hotei TINS a. iseI
noon by the trustees of the local eita,li il.
ber of commerce at WhlcI and vice
consul General Chozo kioke anu tee
Consul X. Matsubara were the 8uests VI
1,ono, +he limited States was represented
Nv tinted states District Attorney hopt'
l.. Devlin.
speaks of Rioting
C Fl Bentley president of the ehamper
of commerce, who acted as toas tl,iessea 'la,.a5
in introducing Viscount Aokl, toucneu
,,non the labor riots and ant-Japahese
selling He expressed gratitude that the
governments of the two countries Were
comuosed of men who were noi 10 nc |
deceived by the exhibition OF rloting anu
disorder bv lawless elements and ue-
u1aoad mat this was not typical of the
Feeling of the people of San Franclsco
toward Japan. much less that OIL tne
American people as whole, ,.u,os
Viscount Aoki said: During my prleI
debt of grattude of Japan toward America
u,as so great that no isolated cases OF
complaint could ever dissipate II ana re-
echoed the friendly assurance the einpelol
az Jsnan is reported to have sent TO
President Roosevelt through secretary
of War Taft , 10
,Japan wants peace with America ne '1
added NOW and always; and she VIII
omit no effort to make that desire
reality. | am convinced that America
reciprocates this good will and shall pear
that report across the ocean.
Viscount Ooki said: 'Durlng my prlei
but very happy residence III the oIi'ee
states 1 have had many opportunities OF
seeing that which / conceive to be pest
and greatest in the American people !
have marveled at your energy, at your
practical methods of doing th1ngs at
your wealth and the vastness of your ma
farial
wonderful political system, your social
customs and practices and noticed the
value which you wisely attach to your
schools and institutions of learning But
that which has most impressed me- /
think Is the spirit of practical unity
which holds your people together over SO
vast territory and under such variety
OF conflicting local interests.
All Pull Together
'I think there is no such homogeniety,
on so large a scale, anywhere else in the
world. One great purpose appears to ami
mate the American people, and that is 10
pull together for the upbuildtng of the
national greatness. That spirit which
takes many forms of expression, find TO
be the same in New York and San Fran
cisco. along the Atlantic seaboard.
throughout the great valley of the Mis-
sissippi and up and down the Pacific
coast, and everywhere it is characterized
by franlkness and fair play. Your people
believe In the doctrine of live and let
live and this is not only because you
have learned from experience that such
a course is the best policy, but because
you are naturally generous
ITO the extent that this spirit has been
extended to our people and country am
prepared to bear cheerful and grateful
testimony From your distinguished pres
ident down to the humblest citizen, /
have discovered no disposition to be other
than just and helpful. My country has
been made to feel the frlendliness OF
America so often and in so many effect
i've ways during the last fifty years that
a great debt of gratitude has grown UP
on our part when no mere local furry
or isolated cause of complaint can dis
sipate
1T is pleasant for me to be able to
assure you of these things just as 1 sail
from your shores and after so pleasant a
sojourn in your midst and | feel freer
to SPEAK the honest dictates of my heart 1
in this regard because of the recent
friendly assurances reported to have been (
tcontinued ON Page Four1 II