Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-14
MINISTER WI MISQUOTED
Represented as Threatening to In
woke Naval Power.
UTTERANCEs OF COUNT oKUMA
Latter Disavows Any Intention to Be
Offensive to This Country
in His Writings

TOXIC. August 14.-Speclal dispatches
from New York and London printed in
Japanese newspapers represent that the
recent utterance of Count Okuma, attrib-
uting the naval expansion policy OF the
United Sta tes to the sudden rise Of Japan
to the Importance of a world power, Is
arousing intense indignation and has
caused complete recrudescence of anti
Japanese sentiment throughout America.
The New York newspapers are quoted
as edtorially urging an American Chinese
alliance for the purpose of offsettinS the
belligerency of the Japanese.
One newspaper Is quoted as giving the
views of Wu Ting-fang. Chinese minister
TO the United States, on the subject of an
alliance. In which he threatens Japan with
IAN early evidence OF the real power of
the American navy"
Americans residing in Toxic, Yokoha ma
and elsewhere throughout Japan are eX-
tremeIy indignant. They believe that the
special dispatches exaggerate the tone of
the New York newspapers. and Ii is felt
that 1t is particularly unfortunate that at
this time anything should be permitted to
retard the growth of friendly relations be-
tween the two nations, In view OF the
elaborate arrangements on foot among
the Japanese to welcome the American
fleet and the increasing cordiality exhib-
lean business men especially regret the
publications, because the revival of the
anti-Japanese propaganda in America will.
they fear. undoubtedly afford qualification
here and also seriously damage American
trade.
Count 0kuma's Utterances.
Count Okuma's frequent utterances do
not create a ripple here. and his most re-
cent one was passed quite unnoticed by
foreigners until the special dispatches an
nounced the outcry Of the American news
papers. Even among Japanese statesmen
and newspapers the first expression then
was one of amusement.
Count Okuma Is regarded here as a
doctrinaire politician, who is now COM
pletely without political influence except
In academic circles. His -statemenf con-
cerning the American navy and Presi-
dent Roosevelts advocacy Of its expan-
sion was undoubtedly brought out by re-
ports of Representative Hobson's speech
in the democratic national convention.
when he quoted President Roosevelt as
predicting an early war with Japan.
The statement which has caused all the
comment was an, excerpt from a series
of articles printed in the Hochi, a Toxic
newspaper. which are being written by
Count Okuma reviewing world politics,
and printed from day to day.
Okuma explains.
When Count Okuma returned today
from thA country he said to the Asso-
ciated Press that he was surprised to
find that his utterances had been con-
sidered purposely offensive.
1T was only NATURAL he said, in re-
viewing the worlds politics. Ito point
out that Japan's rise above the horizon
had caused the American navy to turn
It's attention toward the Pacific. 1t was
undoubtedly true that some Americans
talk unwisely concerning Japan, but
never for d instant have 1 desired or in
tended to reflect on the honor and cour-
age of the American navy or it's sailors;
but it is an uncontrovertible fact that
commercial considerations weigh materi-
ally with all older commercial nations,
even when 1t becomes question of war.
No one will endeavor more earnestly than
myself to cultivate cordial relations with
America, because / realize that only
through such cordial relations can Japan
hope to become really great nation
In an article published in the Hochi Au-
gust IL Count Okuma attributed the pres
States to the sudden rise of Japan to the
Importance of world power. saying in
part:
Judging from the fragmentary speeches
transmitted here ii Is not difficult to infer
that the augmentation of the United
States Navy in the Pacific Is directed at
Japan.
Count Okuma expressed a doubt, how
ever, that the views and ideas of Presi-
dent Roosevelt would long continue to
govern public opinion in America.
Minister WI Repudiates Interview.
Minister WI today was shown the re-
puted interview with him and smiled
No" said he, :'of course 1 never said
that or anything like it. I remember the
occasion we'll enough. A correspondent
of one of the New York papers came here
and called my attention to the statement
of the possible alliance between China
and the United States. He asked me what
i thought of it, told him that whatever
/ thought Of II personally 1t would b<
manifestly improper for me as minister
to saw ANYTHING about it except that i,
was quite interesting. My country sends
me here to transact diplomatic business
and of course / have no right to express
an outside opinion on international mat
tiers. am glad of the opportunity te
deny ever having given such an interview
and would be glad If you would say sc
for me i'm The Star.