The Washington times., 1908-09-01
Threatened Alliance With
United States Stirs
Court at Tokyo.
SPEECH BY TAFT
STRENGTHENS FEAR
Ambassador Takahira's Mysterious
Visit TO the President Is Re-
garded as Significant.
By ]. c. wELLIvER.

There IS increasing evidence that
Japanese public opinion. and. indeed.
governmental opinion, also-which fre-
quently reflects very little OF the in
huence Of popular sentiment-are again
becoming concerned about relations with
the United States.
It IS impossible to learn in Wash
ington at this time just how embarrass-
ing have become the inquiries OF the
japanese government; or TO what extent
discussion of American relations with
China and OF the possibility of an al
lance between the United States and
that country, has worried the Tokyo
government 1t is stated, however, that
complication of these things with the
somewhat unexpected OuJburst OF Amer
lean campaign, jlngoism has had a dis
uncl effect at Toxic.
II takes considerable time for details
or news about American affairs TO reach
Japan II is calculated that lust about
TINS time the Japanese masses are get
ung details Of the action of the Demo-
cratic national convention at Denver,
and especially the remarkable speech
or Representative HObsOn Mr. HobsOn,
II VIII be recalled, lost his temper when
his audience jeered him, and white OF
race and with trembling lips shouted
back the startling statement that within
snort time the President or the United
states had told him that he considered
the menace Of war with japan extreme
~ grave.
Japan has read Of that performance
by TINS umei Japan knows that Hob
son was Jeereds but that, under orders
from Mr.. Bryan. the Hobson plank was
inserted in the Democratic platform as
a bid for the Pacific coast support
mus, unexpectedly. Japan has found
lnaI both the great political parties In
America have tied themselves hard and
IasI 70 the policy of supporting the anti
oriental element on the Pacific coast
Surprise 10 Masses.
This situation cannot but have caused
surprise to the masses OF japan. ana
10 the government as we'll The Jana
neSe hordlY could ht- eEueC-pi' 10 LORE
s-5 a poliucal development which no
body In this country anUcipatsd, and
certainly few people here knowing Mr.
Bryan S traditional attitude on such
things, anticipated that he would in.
struct The Denver convention to 90 over.
DaE and baggage, into the arms of the
Ho0sOn extremists. 1t was decidedly a
shock in Toxic and throughout Japan
when the news came that Democratic
conservatism about naval expansion
and foreign complications had been sud-
denly tossed overheard. and that de-
hance Of Japan had been uttered in so
startling a way, and ind0rSed so
promptly, as ct DnnVer
But this Is only part Of the situation.
nen Minister WI was sent to the
7
years OF absence from this country. il
was admitted with unwonted frankness
that he was wanted here by his gov
eminent because he was considered
strong and popular in the United
States, an expert in American senti-
ment and opinion on the Orietal situa-
uon, and just the man to handle GER
tain delicate business that China had
on hand business. ii was understood,
which involved the relation Of both
Chisa and the United States with
japan.
Then came shortly the Inauguration OF
serious demand in certain quarters
Tor a Chlno-American alliance, to pro-
fect the territorial integrity of China
and assure maintenance Of the open
door policy This mOvemeu- also has
frankly been aimed at Japan, and il
has been conducted in a fashion so
sensational and remarkable as 10 as
sure That Japan would not fail more
or less to be Intlamed by 1T. however lit
lie Americans might take it seriously.
Whlle these things were doing, yet
other influences were at work TO agitate
the japanese mind. Secretary Taft. the
foremost American specialist and auth
Orlty OF Oriental affairs, has been uOmi-
mated for President by the RepuDH-
cans. His devoted interest in Ameri-
can relations 10 the Orient is naturally
the one thing by which he is known in
Japan. He IS looked upon at Tokyo as
the representative of Americas sup
posed Oriental ambitions.
Suspicious of Taft.
He is presumed TO have been nominat-
ed for President because he is an Ori-
entail specialist. and represents the most
aggressive American attitude toward
CCvovrFr,4.F or, Third Do.