Omaha daily bee., 1908-05-23
TAEAHIRA TALKS AT MOHONE
Japanese Ambassador Tells of Strug
gle of japan.
WHY GREAT NATIONS GO TO WAR
Something Is Wrong with the Govern
ment i'm One or the other When
They Fight-Peace Res
OlutlOns.

LAKE MOHONK, N. Y, May 22.-Baron
Kogoro Takahira delivered an address to-
day before the conference on international
arbitration, in session here, in which he
outlined some of the causes of war and
told what must be done to prevent it.
Baron Takahira said in part:
A careful study OF international disputes
establishes, it seems to me, that they, arise
almost much, If not more, from the In
ternal conditions of the country affected
as they do from the conflict of outside in
terests, and IT is a peculiar feature of
such questions that where they occur there
are almost always signs of disorder, retro
gression or misgovernment
In this respect political observation some
what resembles meteorological observa-
tions. The rain comes down from where
there are clouds. international disputes
develop where there are undesirable con-
ditions OF life, such as I have just mem
toned. / do not, of course mean to say
that the less modern or the less organized
tional questions On the contrary, there
are cases in which such countries deserve
sincere sympathy, but 1t Is an undeniable
fact that the less modern or the less or
ganized states present more frequently
cause OF public anxiety on account OF inter
national disputes, and 1t may be reasonably
questioned whether the unsettled condition
they present-politically, economically or
otherwise-does not lead to such disputes
Japan HOIds Its own.
AS regards Japan. young as Vt is as such
a modern nation, / may say without fear
of being misunderstood that 1t is holding
it's own despite all the vicissitudes of life
through which 1t has been passing during
the last half century, The ineessant erlti-
brought against 1t regarding It's attitude
and policies in the far east appear TO be,
In my opinion, due to the rather hasty con-
clusions OF travelling observers. Some are
advanced against our nation In our new
field in Industrial activities In Man
! churia, others against the attitude we have
ad fan IN
under our protection. These are the coun-
tries from which japan acquired in former
| times its system Of government. education
and even religion, by means Of which We
regulated our political and social life.
II these countries could live up to their
ideas Of government and society, however
| could maintain their positions more Sc
| eurely. But. falling in this, they have al
lowed themselves 10 fall into an unhappy
! condition-disorganized misgoverned, i'm
| poverished-and thus have permitted them
/ selves to become the prey OF sinister design
and selfish purposes. With such countries
| as neighbors Japan could not feel Tepose.
! but found its own position threatened. and
| IL was finally obliged to take the necessary
| measures for its self-preservatton and te
assume responsibilities for their peace and
| happiness.
Time is Necessary.
Disorder, retrogression and misgovern-
ment which called for our action cannot
| be removed in one day and in removing
them some struggles must necessarily en-
sue. Today we are at the stage OF such a
struggle
II is however, a most encouraging sign
| OF our work that even in its "half-dOne"
| stage there is no danger OF disturbing in
ternatiOnal peace in that part OF the world
| insofar our influence extends.
II every country deals with the matters
between nations ana also its own Internal
affairs In a right spirit, am sure that
| ever arbitration will no longer be found
necessary and you will be able 10 enjoy a
tranquility genuine the spring days
at this beautiful spot on Lake Mohonk.
Platform Adopted.
The platform OF the conference. after
approving the work Of the second Hague