The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1908-02-17
WAR WITH JAPAN
TO0HEL[|SHTO
THOUGHT OF
New Ambassador From Island
Kingdom at Washington
NO CHANGE OF SENTIMENT
Baron Takahlra, Warm Friend OF
Roosevelt, Returned to Y. 5. After
Two Years at Rome.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17.-Declaring
that war between the United States
and Japan would be the most inhu-
man event in the worlds history ana
was "too hellish' to he thought OF,
Baron Kogoro Takahira, the new Jap
anese ambassador to Washington, said
upon arriving here that the Japanese
perJle know absolutely nothing OF
b Ok in the cordial relations which
nks been historic between the two ma
fms.
The late talk Of war. Baron Takahira
declared with much emphasis, was
utterly unintelligible to him unless, as
some one had suggested. 1t was spread
broadcast to serve the commercial ends
of some newspapers. The new ambas-
sador 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 II
purely as naval maneuver on grand
scale, designed 10 show to the world
at large that America has Il wonderful
naval power. which can be dispatched
anywhere at d moments notice I'm
support of legitimate cause, which
always Is at the bottom of American
diplomacy"
Baron Takahlra will at once present
his credentials to President Roosevelt,
who. he says, is warm personal
friend of his, and he is looking for
ward to his meeting with the chief ex-
ecutive with great deal of pleasure
BILE anticipation. The baron is return
ing to the American capital after an
absence Of two years spent In Rome as
ambassador to Italy. The baron left
Washington as minister and was sub
sequently elevated TO the rank Of am
bassador. He was one of .hpan's en-
voys at the Portsmouth peace confer
ence.
II am very pleased to come back to
this country in my present capacity
said Baron Takahira to representa-
tive of the press. II started my dip.
lomatic career as an attache at our
legation in Washington some thirty
years ago, and | always have regarded
that city as my cradle. Now ! am go
ing back there as the personal repre-.
sentative of the japanese emperor ac-
credited to the president of the United
States, and l think can consider 1t as
triumphal entry into that city.
81 naturally recall to mind at this
moment the pleasant experiences had
through the most trying time of my
last stay at Washington. Ii was ter.
rible time in my diplomatic career,
working day and night for nearly two
years, and the friendship | received
from America did much to diminish
the anxiety that otherwise would have
been immense.
NO one knows better than | how
sincere and true were the expressions
Of your sentiments. No one appre.
ciates more than do the high value
Of such sympath'' All that | thought
of you then | freely expressed at the
time. and my very words must be re
membered by those who cared to take
an interest In me. SO there is no need
TO repeat them. I simply tell you now
that | am the same man | was and
that | am of the same mind as when
left your country in December, 1905.
81 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
will have to deal with what remains
to require my attention at Washing
ton. Yet tell you that In spite Of al
the excitement and speculation report
ed from time to time in the newspa
pers there has never been any change
in the attitude of the Japanese gov
eminent toward this country. The
friendship existing between the two
governments has been historical, and
they are both as sincere as ever in the
cordiality Of their relations. .
WAR talk which / hear has beer
published frequently in connection
with the cruise is utterly unintelligiblt
| to me.
"You know 1t Is well said by youl
famous general that war Is hell" II
is now concurrent opinion among
The best military experts of all the
great powers that war is more hellisl
than II used to be owing to the great
scientific improvements which are con
stantly being applied to mansaughter
ing machines. 1t Is impossible, in my
opinion, to any man of ordinary sanity
| to think of n war between two powers
! like ours In view of the sincere friend
ship which so long has actually ex
listed between them. To think of 1t il
q crime against humanity, against civ
| ilization, against the well being of thu
whole of mankind. Such war, Il
ever fought, would be the most inhu
man event in the worlds history. Oul
people at least do not think of the pos
sibllity of such an unfortunate event"