The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1908-02-24

quarrel with the United States-now OF
in the future. Talk of diplomatic com
pIicatfons is absurd As for immigra-
ton, the japanese statesmen do not
encourage their people to come to this
country-and will carry out the desires
of the President in that matter entire
| ly. As for the Philippine Islands. they
have no use for them, and the insinu-
atoms that they have such designs are
nonsensical."
This statement was made by an
American-and a Philadelphia, too
who probably knows more about Jap
an and its politics than any other ma
tive of this country. Robert Irwin is
his name, and on his last visit to this
city he was a guest at 2O27 De Larcey
Street.
During the last forty years Mr.. Irwin
has spent the greater part of each
twelve months in the Mikado's Empire.
For twenty years he had official SUI
pervision of japanese emigration to the
Hawaiian kingdom and of its diploma
tie relations at Toxic. and when an
nexation brought to an end these dip
Ilomatic duties. his private interests had
become of such magnitude that it was
necessary for him to continue his resi-
dence among the japanese.
While he was the Minister for Ha-
wall Mr. Irwin became very intimate
with the men who now guide the poll
cies of the Mikado's realm. Among
them he assumed the position of a
friend rather than an official. Conse-
quently, even now, when he has no
governmental Affiliations, they esteem
his friendship and seek his counsel up
on many international questions.
Recently Mr. Irwin came to this city
to visit his relatives, and during last
week, just on the EVE of his departure
for Toxic, he discussed with a Press
representative the relations between
Japan and America. And to what Mr..
Irwin had to say, peculiar interest was
lent by a fresh outbreak of kilograms
and cablegrams from Washington and
Toxic. These would make it appear
that snag has been struck in the
negotiations looking to the restriction
of japanese immigration.
All in all, Mr. Irwin's talk upon the /
land of the Mikado was tantamount to |
a declaration of the opinions of the |
quadrivirate which is holding the !
fortunes Of JanaH-=Marquis Katsura, |
Marquis Inouye, Prince Ito and Mar ;
uufs Yamagatar Mr.. Irwin made it
plain that he talked according to the /
lights these four had shown him.
And that he voiced the opinions of !
Japan when he voiced the sentiments
of these men there can be no doubt. |
What they say is Japanese opinion-at |
least it has been proved SO in the past,
Marquis Katsura has been most re-
Gently in high official station. He was
Prime Minister from September, 1901,
until the conclusion of the war with
Russia, and while not holding Office at /
present, he is the real head of the Gov
eminent. Marquis Inouye has been the
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Finance
and the Interior, and is one of the
chief props of the Mikado. Prince Ito /
was thrice Prime Minister and is now
the President General of Korea-pursu-
ing task many times greater than
the premiership itself entails AS for
Marquis Yamagata, his name is prob
ably better known than any of the
others because of his services during
the Russian war. But besides having
been the former commander-in-chief of
the army, he has been prominently
identified with the politics. of the um-
pire. for twice he was the Prime Min
ister
Outside of Ito, none of them now is
in office, except as counselor to the
Emperor, yet they, and not those who
occupy the offices, are molding Japa-
nese events. And they, Mr.. Irwin says.
are strongly opposed to any policy
which viii bring Japan into a quarrel
with this country.
A CORRESPONDENT" WAR.
81 am convinced that a great deal of
injury is being done to both countries
by the foolish cablegrams that are sent
back and FORTH" Mr.. Irwin continued
Toxic gets some very alarming re-
ports from Washington and Washing
ton is continually being set upon it's
ears by very remarkable carnations
from Japan. But I can unqualifedly
say that all the cables that have been
sent here concerning demonstrations
against American excitement over the
exclusion of Japanese troubles on the
Pacific coast, etc.-are not true. I did
not leave for this country until Nov
ember and up to that time 1 did not
see a sign of bad feeling.
'On the other hand Toxic is con-
tinually getting cables from Washing
ton which look very black To me