The San Francisco call., 1908-03-29
MYSTERY OF AONT'S
RECALL EXPLAINED

Censiausa from Page ss, Column
fntently to the suggestion. and In
stant1y approved OF it.
II should be delighted to talk thu
matter over with Viscount Aoki, was
his remark as repeated 10 me. MOI
only should I look with favor qpor
such an understanding, but II II Il
reached j shall go further and DO my
utmost to have congress provide fol
the naturalization of japanese in the
United States. exactly as other inmi-
grants are naturalized. Thus they will
be placed on an absolutely level foot
ing with other nationalities-"
AOKI CABLES TOKYO
V3scount Aoki was Immediately in
formed of the presidents attitude. He
formulated a cablegram to Tokyo
forthwith, embodying the substance OF
his plan and emphasizing the desira-
bllity Of reaching an understanding
with the American government before
9he arrival Of the feet in the Pacific
GS laid stress. also. on the presi-
dents offer to secure naturalization
II possible. for the japanese.
The reply from Tokyo marked the
turning point Of Viscount Aokrs service
IN Washington II was q clean cut and
not too polite refusal to begin negotia-
tions on the basis outlined The Tokyo
government went even further and de-
clined to permit its representative to
begin pOurparlers on the principle of 9
mutual recognition and guarantee OF
territorial rights.
Viscount Aokd. according TO my In
formant, was greatly disappointed by
The refusal Of his government to ex-
- hn mi Tod
States. He feared that the vague hints
az possible Japanese activity in Ha-
wall and the Philippines might be
taken by Americans as the truth and
that this belief might be followed by
q demand for naval demonstration
against Japan after the feet reached
the Pacific. After his government had
refused 10 permit him 10 promote q
mutual understanding on this subject
he feared that its refusal might be
xaken 10 mean not merely that 1t did
not care to exchange such assurances,
but that, in fact. il did have designs
upon the Philippines or Hawaii.
In this embarrassing situation be
cabled TO Tokyo. urgently requesting q
reconsideration Of the instructions and
protesting that he was better able 60
Judge OF the importance of the matter
than his superiors were. His cable
snumation that his plan was necessary
70 the preservation of friendly rela-
tions with the United States.
CURTLY ORDERED HOME
The reply TO this was a curt cable
gram instructing him TO return 10
Tokyo.
sEiscount Aokf knew that this meant
the closing of his career so far as the
present ministry was concerned. He
gave out the news Immediately, merely
keeping Up the diplomatic fiction that
he was returning to Tokyo only tenn
porarily 70 report on the condition OF
sfairs in the United States.
Since his return 10 Tokyo Viscount
Aokf has been out of harmony. OF
course. with his former superiors. He
is now classed among the opposition
and is said TO be one of Count Okuma s
stroig supporters and advisers. The
uncertain tenure of the japanese min
3strys resulting from the popular agita-
tfcn over increased taxation. may bring
Ok1ma and his allies back into power
but. for the time being Viscount A.olx
IS no longer officially concerned in in
ternationaf politics
u is said that the president wa,
M displeased with the course ot
events, although he would have vel
coined assurances from. Japan. and
would have been ready TO give similar
assurances in behalf OF the United
States. HIS reason for looking upon
the outcome with equanimity is said to
sbe on account Of the advantage he
Possessed against any one in congress
strho might have made an uproar over
<the sending of the feet to the Pacific
- Roosevelt is fairly itching TO have
some senator or congressman get uu
aud make a howl about sending the
fleet - *he Pacific" said my Informant
rs.If there had been a protest in con-
sgress against the cruise. as the presi-
sdent expected there would be, he would
shave laid before congress the story OF
sAokis recall. with the proof that Japan
had refused to consider q plan to make
american territory in the Pacific i'm
4nune from encroachment.
3 f'He would have shown that the am
fbassadore had been recalled merely be-
cause he had strongly urged Japan tc
give some guarantee TO the United
States that the Philippines and Hawai-.
were safe. Would that have Justified
the presidents action IN ordering the
feet around the Horn2'
AS matters now stand. there is every
prospect that the relations of the United
States and Japan are improving Much
of the progress toward cordiality car
be credited to Ambassador Takahira
who Is much more fortunate in his In
tercourse with Americans than was his
predecessor. Baron 'Taicahira Is a skill
ful uolder of public opinion, through
speech making and personal contact
and his diplomatic insight is OF the
highest order.
ANXIOUS TO VISIT COAST
The japanese ambassador is anxious
10 go TO San Francisco while the feet
IS being entertained here, II he can dc
50 Judiciously and safely. He has nc
fear OF his personal safety. although he
has not been overlooking the possibility
OF an attack. But he knows, of course
that irFeparable harm might come from
contretemps IN which Japan, in his
person, should receive an affront IT IS
this consideration that has caused him
70 make quiet inquiries among his
American friends as TO the wisdom OF
Visiting San Francisco.
II Baron Takahira should go to the
coast he viii be accompanied by sew.
eral American officers. one Of them q
rear admiral detailed by the president
as a special escort, In honor Of the am
bassador's visit TO the feet The secret
service viii be under orders. of course
TO take special precaution against any
mischance to. the japanese representa-