The San Francisco call., 1908-07-15
NO ANTI-AMERICAN
FEELING IN JAPAN
Thomas j. O'Brien, American
Ambassador in Far East, Has
Message of Good Will
Visit of Fleet Will Further Ce-
ment Friendly Relations
Between Two Countries

Thos. J. O'Brien, ambassador to Japan,
arrived yesterday on the Korea on a
leave of absence covering 100 days. He
brought a message of absolute good
feeling between the japanese and the
Americans.
so far as my personal experience
goes" he said, Il have never observed
ing on the part of the Japanese toward
Americans. There is no anti-Ameri-
can feeling.
Complaints have been made by
Americans that the Japanese in the
administration of the Manchurian rail-
road have indulged in a system of re-
batting detrimental to American trad
ers. The Japanese do practice rebating,
just as we did up to recent date, but
the Americans have not been particu-
larly Disseminated against because
they were Americans.
There is great deal of talk about
the reception to be given the feet. It's
coming cannot but help do a great deal
of good for both countries. The Jap
anese fleet will be modified in Tokyo
waters at the time of the visit. This
action of the Japanese should not be
looked upon in any other light than a
courtesy to the visitors. In fact, the
visit of the feet coincided with the pc
E4OQ set dSlQe LOT ln6 annual review OF
the Japanese warships. England in
tends TO mobilize her ships in Asiatic
waters in the same manner when the
feet visits Australia for the purpose of
'escorting Uncle Sans fighting ma
chimes into Sydney"
Speaking of emigration, Ambassador
O'Brien said that he believed that Japan
was sincere in its desire to preserve
the home policy of discountenancing
the immigration of its citizens to
America.
OF financial conditions in Japan. he
said:
"Of course I am not in a position to
know exactly how Japan is situated
financially. do not hear any COM
plants, and to judge from their manner
they are perfectly contented.
'Hobson is not taken seriously. He
has been talking a long time. The
Japanese merely smiled at his remarks
before the adjournment of congress.
have not heard of his speech before the
democratic convention"
The appointment of Count Katsura
TO the premiership was news to the
ambassador.
No better appointment could have
been made" he said in speaking of
Katsura. He is highly esteemed by
the people, and has their good will
He is not military man, and has never
had service in arms.
The attempts of the Chinese to
build railroad parallel to the South
Manchurian railroad is being met with
a great deal of opposition on the part
Of the Japanese. OF the Chinese boy
colt, however, I know nothing"
O'Brien will be the guest of the
chamber of commerce and merchants
exchange this morning on an excur-
sion on the bay. Frederick Stratton,
collector of the port, is in charge of
the arrangements. W. Cameron
Forbes and Jose Luiz de Luzuriaga,
guests. At noon an informal lunch
will be served at the Fairmont
O'Brien will leave on Thursday for
his home in Grand Rapids. Here he
will remain for two weeks, attending
to some personal affairs. Whether he
would go to Washington or see the
president depended, he said, on wheth-
er the president desired to see him.
His visit to this country is Of no Off
cial significance.
He will then sail to Europe to meet
his wife in Brussels. Return to Japan
will be made by the Trans Siberian
route. He is due in Tokyo about Oc-
tober l, the time when the fleet is ex-
pected in japanese waters.
O'Brien has been in the diplomatic
service since the spring of 1905. He
was for two years at The Hague.
About year ago he was appointed
ambassador to Japan by President
Roosevelt