The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-11-30
Treaty Just Concluded Is Not
Has1 But Result Of
Long Study
TAFT TOOK UP SUBJECT
WHEN He WAS IN JAPAN
1t Is Now Learned for the First Time
That Japan Was the First To
Try To Stop the Russian
War and Not Russia.

Hot Springs. Va. November 2e-(Spe-
eal lit can be stated upon authority
that as early as 1905 Japan made over
lures to the United States for an UNDER
standing for the maintenance of the
status quo in Asia, an understa nding the
original idea of which contemplated
concert of action by the United States.
Japan and Great Britain. At that tins
the defensive alliance between japan and
Great Britain already mad been formed.
The Japanese did not propose a formal
alliance. knowing the American traditions
against any such entanglements; it Was
suggested however, that the understand
ing should take the form of a well-an-
derstood agreement which should have
the binding power morally of formal
treaty
That triple alliance or understanding
was proposed is a secret that has been
carefully guarded mp to the present time.
The proposal by Japan was made through
William II. Taft. When Mr. Taft, as sec
retary of war, was returning to the Phil
ippines he stopped in Japan and was re-
ceived with almost dramatic hospitality
by the japanese government. The Em-
peror showed an interest in the secretary
that attracted general attention. for TIC
comi9en theo Nas ,.at wptsunfte saa
his statesmen we're eager to relieve the
United States Of the burden of sover-
eighty in the Philippines
Private Interview.
After Mr.. Taft had been received at
the palace, one OF the imperial minis
ters, Count Katsura, sought a private in
terview with him. Speaking for the EN-
peror. this minister announced To the
American Secretary of War that Japan
desired TO enter into an understanding
which should include both the United
States and Great Britain.
Mr.. Taft pointed out that IL was against
the fixed policy of the United States to
contract such alliances. a fact which
Count Katsura said he perfectly UNDER
stood; that there was no power In the
government to make secret treaties Of
any kind; that the American people, by
tradition and sentiment. were opposed to
formal alliances, and that it was out of
the question to ask them to change their
ways.
Discaiming all right or inclination to
speak for mis- country, save as a private
individual, the Secretary of War assured
the imperial representative that the
United States desired the maintenance Of
the Chinese empire, "the open door, pol
icy and the other equal and fair condf-
tlons suggested. and that he felt himself
justified in saying that, while an Amerl-
can Brltish-J Japanese alliance was not to
be thought Of, Japan might go ahead and
so far she adhered to the programme
and purposes set forth she need fear no
lack of sympathy or support from the
United States.
No Designs on Philippines.
Count Katsura assured Mr.. Taft that
Japan had no designs upon the Phil-
ippines long as a proper stable gov
ernment was maintained: in other
words that the United States need fear
nothing from Japan. Mr. Taft, speak,
ing unoffcially said that he was sure
the United States would have no in
terest in Corea except the same interest
that Japan manifested in the Philip
pines. Both Mr., Taft and Count Kat
sura gave assurances of purpose to
maintain the open door in China and
the final effect of the talk tended to-
ward an understanding to maintain the
peace In the Pacific.
AT the end of the conference, the
Japanese minister prepared a memoir
andum of the conversation, This was
edited by Mr. Taft who cab1ed II to
the President through the state de-
partment The President replied ap-
proving the position that Mr.. Taft had
taken.
Ii is impossible to say at present
whether Great Britain was consulted
by Japan before she attempted to Sc
cure the United States ally.
Jsnan Took First Steps.
II will amaze the people of Japan to
know that it was their own government
and not the Russians which took the
first steps to secure the mediation of
President Roosevelt, which ended the
mighty struggle in Manchuria.
personal representative of the
Japanese Emperor went to the White
House and explained matters to Mr..
Roosevelt. He requested the President
to see what could be done toward end
ing the war.
The President assured Japan's envoy
that he would gladly do anything in
his power to bring peace to the world.
But he warned his visitor in the most
solemn and emphatic language that 1t
would be useless to attempt to secure
treaty of peace If the Japanese should
insist upon a money indemnity or .
cession of Russian territory. Japan
agreed to President Roosevelts sug-
gestion. The Japanese people have
been allowed to believe the United
States deliberately helped Russia to rob
them of the legitimate fruits of vic-
torious war and thus left them after
all their sacrifices to pay the cost of
the conflict out of their own pockets
while their vanouished enemy escaped