Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20
TAKAH|RA IS FRANK
Discusses Japanese Relations
With America.
PLEASED AT THE OUTLOOK
Gratifed at Bond of Union Between
the Countries.
OF LATE AGREEMENT
Declares That It Was Merely a Re-
affirmation Of the Friendly Rela-
tions Of the Two Nations.

NEW YORK. December 13.-Comparing
the recent joint declaration by Japan and
the United States in regard to their re-
spective policies in the Pacific to "a trans
action between trusted friends" Baron
Takahira, Japanese ambassador to the
United States, in an address tonight at
the Lotus Club at a dinner given in his
honor expressed in an unmistakable way
bond of union between the two nations
had been cemented.
President Frank r. Lawrence. who
acted as POSTMASTER, in introducing the
ambassador, referred to the recent under
standing as development to be welcomed
from the American viewpoint as assuring
a continuance of the amicable relations
between the two countries and also their
friendly rivalry in commerce. Baron
Takahira expressed his appreciation OF
the compliment the club had paid him.
Baron Takahira's Remarks.
Continuing the baron said:
when l lived in this city many years
ago." said Baron Takahira, Il used 10
go to the Harlem river for fishing, ana
[ saw that the boatman always roWed
hard when the tide was against him;
in the same way 1 now see that the
diplomat speaks much when his affairs
are not in good shape. But, as Things
are now between the United States and
Japan there is nothing to warrant much
speechmaking l fully believe am
not mistaken when I say that our rela-
tions are in the best possible condition.
l think we may say there IS now notnlns
more to be desired in the relations OF our
two countries. But if the past is to serve
as lesson for the future it would be
we'll to consider what we have had TO
experience for these few years.
I'm these years, we have to admit, We
had such terrible time In regard to our
relations as We could never have an
ticipated No doubt there were some
undesirable incidents occurring between
some people of the two countries. but
they were only local affairs and in no
way to be regarded as menacing to our
traditional friendship. But too much inn
portance was given to them in some
quarters, and even a war clamor was al
lowed to be raised in spite of the sincere
good will continually existing between
sincerity of the friendship existing all the
time between the two governments. no
serious consequences were allowed to oc-
cur that might otherwise follow such cir
cumStanceS.
Reafirmation of Friendship.
Il took the opportunity at a dinner
given in my honor on my arrival here
some months ago to declare that there
is no art in our game of diplomacy. In
our International transactions 1 can most
firmly repeat the same assertion and add
that there is no such word as 'dplo-
macy as popularity defined. The declara-
ton of the two governments recently
made by the United States and Japan in
regard to their respective policy in China
and the Pacific is a good example. 1t is
simply reaffirmation of what was un-
derstood between them years ago, and
there is practically nothing which was
not hitherto declared between them. It
is like q transaction between trusted
friends. It requires no formality to le-
galize the instrument.
Still, when such declaration was made
between the governments Of great moral
standing like those of the United States
and Japan 1t will undoubtedly have an
important effect, which, I think, is al
ready beginning to be felt in many ways;
and it is my sincere desire that the peo-
pie of each country will have the same
mind as their own government In trust
ing that of the other, and in doing SO I
am convinced their rights Will be fully
protected and their interests largely ad-
vanced, to the mutual benefit of the two
countries"
Takahira's Rise Outlined.
The menu for the dinner, faithfully Jap
anese in its decorations, outlined the rise
of Baron Takahira in Japanese affairs and
In the world of diplomacy. 1t took up his
career in 1879, when he was secretary of
the Japanese legation in Washington; 1891
finding him consul general to New York;
1884. promoted to minister to Italy: 1885,
minister to Austria Hungary; 1899. vice
minister for foreign affairs in the en-
peror's cabinet; 1900. minister to the
United States; 1905. one Of the Ports
mouth peace commissioners; 1907, ambas-
sador to Italy. and last winter appointed
ambassador to the United States.
Among others who responded to toasts
were Consul General Midzuno, Andrew
Carnegie, Rear Admiral Goodrich, John s.
Wise and James NJ. Beck