The Colorado statesman., 1908-03-28
OUR RELATIONS
With JAPAN
SECRETARY TAFT SAYS THEY
ARE STILL EXTREMELY
FRIENDLY.
JAPAN BUSY AT HOME
UNITED STATES AS A GREAT ASH
ATTIC POWER NEEDS AN
ADEQUATE NAVY.

Trenton, N. J.-Secretary of War
Taft and Baron Takahira, Japan
.ese ambassador to the United
States, spoke before the chamber
of commerce Monday night. A spe-
cial reception to the distinguished WIS.,
ftors took place in the assembly cham
ber in the state house at z o'clock. The
two houses were in session and the
galleries and lobbies were crowded
with spectators. Baron Takahira spoke
only briefly.
At the conclusion of the exercises at
the state house the visitors were
driven to the Masonic Temple, where
the chamber of commerce banquet took
place. There were over 450 guests
seated at the tables in the hall, which
was profusely decorated with American
and Japanese flags, Baron Takahira
was roundly applauded and then greet
ed with the Chautauqua salute. The
ambassador told his auditors some
thing about the trade relations between
Japan and the United States and the
world and put in a good word for the
coming international exposition at To-
kio in 1912.
Secretary Taft spoke on THE Ma
tional Outlook" He said:
=
in the government in the administra-
tion at Washington that Baron Taxa
hira has returned as ambassador. The
relations between Japan and the
United States during the last two years
have much occupied the headlines OF
sensational newspapers of this country
and Europe.
"a number of the European press
were determined that there should be
war between United States and Japan,
even if both parties were determinedly
oppo7ed to it. The unfortunate disturb
ances at San Francisco and the diplo-
matte controversies that arose were
made the occasion for the circulation
of the most distressing rumors which
were from time to time repeated.
'It was found, however, that moth
ing had occurred at San Francisco
which it was not within the power of
the government to settle by ordinary
diplomatic methods. The question OF
immigration seems quite within the
power of the two governments without
legislation on either side, to bring to a
satisfactory adjustment.
Then these same scribes and
prophets of evil made themselves
hoarse with their shouts about the
sending of the fleet of battleships to
the Pacific Alas for the reputation of
these prophets of evil; no sooner had
the fleet reached our western shores
upon the Pacific than the government
of Japan sent most cordial invitation,
couched in the friendliest terms, asking
that our fleet visit the ports of Japan.
This invitation the government has ac-
cepted in the same cordial tone, be
cause it realizes the sincerity of the
hospitality which is offered.
''It has been my good fortune to visit
Japan for short trips four times and
each time | have had the honor of be-
! ing presented to his imperial majesty
the Emperor, and each time | have had
an excellent opportunity to learn the
| friendly attitude of the government of
Japan toward the United States.
"The Japanese have their energies
directed toward the civilization and
settlement and progress of Korea
which has come under their protection
and control; of the Liatung peninsula,
Of which they now have lease from
the Chinese government, and of For
mosa, which they took over from China
after the Chinese war.
THE uplifting of these countries and
their peoples presents problems sufii-
cient to test the highest craftsmanship
of the leading men of Japan and fur.
nishes every reason for saying that
they have no desire for such a purpose
less task as war with the United
States.
But Japan is manifesting the great
est enterprise in the organization of
steamship lines and the government
assistance of them SO that in reason
ably short time much of the Chinese
trade is likely to be done between the
United States and China and between
other countries and China in Japan bot.
TOMS
China, with her 400 900, 900 citizens,
Is in a state of transition. With her
her civilization thousands of years old
she moves more slowly in the direction
of modern progress than other nations,
but she is steadily moving.
1--WE are today an Asiatic power. We
exercise sovereignty over an archipel-
ago of 100000 square miles, with a
population of 100000 people. We have
undertaken system of general and
political education which We hope in
the course of one or two generations
may prepare them to maintain an in
dependent government free from guild
ance of ours, if,their people so desire. "
Secretary Taft closed by urging the
Importance of maintaining navy and
army commensurate with our re-
sources, with our coast line, with the
extent of our country and population"
!
/ Church Floor Gives Way.
Denver.-An Evans, Colorado, dis.