Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-02-23
JAPAN ASKS
LARGE SUM
FOR. FAIR
TOXIC HOPES UNITED STATES
WILL BE LIBERAL
Baron kaneko Aims Broad Hint at
Ambassador O'Brlen-Belleves
other Nations VIII Take
America as Standard
By Associated Press.

BY Associated Press.
TOXIC, Feb. 22-Since the publica-
ton in Japan of that portion of the
presidents message bearing on particle
patton by the United States in the in
ternational exposition to be held In
Toxic in 1912 there has been much
speculation as to the extent to which
Americans would take part.
The exposition is strictly govern
ment undertaking. Bills have been in
troduced into the diet providing for
the lifting of customs duties from all
exhibits and also for protecting the
patents and copyrights of exhibitors.
In general way the machinery of
the exposition is moving and before
the end of 1908 everything will be well
under way. All the first class powers
have signified their intention of being
represented at the exposition and alto
gether some eight or nine governments
have made announcement and inquiry
as to the regulations, but 1t is fully
realized here that much depends upon
what the United States may decide.
In fact, some of the first class powers
have stated frankly that they would
like to know what America proposes
to do. Japan and the japanese in their
turn are curious to know whether and
to what extent the government as
government will respond to the rec
ommendation made by President
Roosevelt. Viscount Kaneko, president
of the exposition, has written letter
to Mr.. O'Brien, the American ambas-
sador, in which he expresses gratifica-
ton at the receipt of the news that
Mr.. Hayes of California had introduced
a bill appropriating $250,000 for the
American exhibit, but somewhat sig
nificantly he goes on to say that In
view of the Importance attached Dy the
Japanese government to the constantly
growing trade, and particularly the
traditional friendship between the
United States and Japan, he desires
the ambassador to use his influence
toward inducing the American govern
ment to make as generous appropria-
ton as the occasion, in his opinion,
justifies.
Japan Liberal
Viscount Kaneko points out that
when the st. Louis exposition was
opened in 1904 Japan was unfortunate
Nv engaged in war, but notWithstano-
ing this the Japanese government ap-
propriated the sum Of 100000 as
Japan's share in the exposition. lie
then goes back to the record Of 1898
and states that the appropriation OF
S360OO0 by the Japanese government
for the worlds Columbian exposition
in Chicago was entirely apart from the
large interest taken by individuals and
corporations in the exposition. There
is disappointment in business circles
generally that no greater sum has been
set aside for the American representa-
ton.
Viscount Kaneko specifically states
that in his belief whatever sum the
United States decides to appropriate
will be a sort of standard for other
nations. Speaking in this connection
the yiscount said recently:
sit is our earnest wish that the
American government take part In our
exhibition in a manner not only hitting
the great republic but setting for 9TH
ers an example the influence OF which
will be far-reaching.
"There are two purposes in the mold
ing of this exposition, commercial and
social. and purposely put commercial
first. because the trade relations De-
tween our two countries are becoming
more important to both of us every
day. and in 1912 will be very much
more important than they are today,
SO that the exposition will undoubtedly
have tremendous effect. Then, too,
there is that social question of which
| have so frequently spoken, viz: The
knitting together of the two peoples
'rhe Japanese government is appro-
priating 100000 yen for the enter
prise.