New-York tribune., 1908-01-05
AOkI MADE NO THREAT.
HAS FRIENDLY MESSAGE.
Meier Said Japan Would Regard
Exclusion Lac as Ofensiue.

Japanese Ambassador to the United States who
arrived here last night on his way to Toxic. to-
nigh: denied making statement in which he
was alleged 10 have said:
Japan is restricting the emigration Of labor
ers to this country and will continue to do so.
and Tt would be regarded offensive to the
dignity of Japan for this country to pass an
exclusion law or endeavor to embody the sub
iect in treaty"
Such a statement did not emanate from me-
ernphatically declared the ambassador Il did
not talk with any newspaper man last night. nor
did j authorize any one to speak for me, much
less make any statement Furthermore. have
not discussed the emigration question with any
one since / left Washington nor have any
thing 10 add TO my farewell statement made by
me TO the American people prior TO my depart
ure. returning TO Japan after long ao-
sence confer with my government on various
matters and TO convey TO the Emperor the best
wishes and expressions of friendship from Pres,-
dent Roosevelt and I believe. the American peo-
pie
The attitude Of Japan toward this country is
of the friendlest character, but the immigration
question and other matters of policy between
the two countries are for statesmen and diplo-
mats and cannot be so freely discussed IN
public"
The ambassador talked at length various
tories but declined TO discuss the Vancouver
race troubles the immigration question in gen
eraI or the transfer of the battleship feet from
the Atlantic the Pacific
Ambassador Aoki laughed heartily when a
dispatch from Paris saying that the Japanese
feet had disappeared from its customary crus-
ing ground and was reported TO be near Hawaii
was shown him.
At a luncheon given at the St Francis Hotel
this afternoon by the trustees of the Chamber
Of Commerce. and al which Niscount Aoki, Con-
sui General Chozo Kioke and Nice-Consul X
NIatsI.bara were the guests of honor, the United
States was represented by District Attorney
Robert T. Devlin. c H. Bentley president of
the Chamber OF Commerce. in introducing Wis
count Aok spoke of the labor riots and the
anti-Japanese feeling. He expressed gratitude
that the governments Of the two countries were
composed Of men who were not TO be deceived
by the exhibition OF rioting and disorder by
lawless elements. and declared that this not
typical Of the feeling of the people of San Fran
cisco toward Japan, much less that of the
American people
Ambassador Aold in response said that the
debt Of gratitude Of Japan to America was so
great that no isolated cases of complaint could
ever dissipate it He re-echoed the friendly as
suranSs the Emperor of Japan is reported to
haveNent 10 President Roosevelt by Secretary
Taft @
JAPAN ALWAYS WANTS PEACE.
Japan wants peace with America he added,
" now and always, and she Will omit effort to
make that desire reality. L convinced
that America reciprocates this good will. and
shall bear that report across the ocean.
During my brief but very happy residence in
the United States / have had many opportuni-
ties Of seeing that which / conceive TO be best
and greatest in the American people / have
marvelled at your energy. your practical
methods of doing things. your wealth and
the vastness Of your material resources. 1 have
studied your wonderful political system. your
social customs and practices, and noticed the
value which you wisely attach your schools
and institutions Of learning. But that which
has most impressed me. think. is the spirit of
practical unity which holds your people to-
gether over so vast a territory and under such
a variety of conflicting local interests. l think
there is such homogeneity large a
scale anywhere else in the world. One great
purpose appears to animate the American peo-
pie and that is 10 pull together for the upbuild-
ing of the national greatness. That spirit, which
takes many forms OF expression, find to be the
same New York and San Francisco, along
The Atlantic Coast and everywhere il is char
acterized by frankness and fair play. Your
people believe in the doctrine of live and let
i've and this is not only because you have
learned from experience that such a course is
the best policy, but because you are naturally
generous
TO the extent that this spirit has been
tended TO our people and country prepared
10 bear cheerful and grateful testimony. From
your distinguished President down to the hum
blest citizen have discovered disposition t.
be otherwise than just and helpful My country
has been made feel the friendliness of Amer
i,a so often and in so many effective ways dur
ing the last fifty years that a great debt of
gratitude has grown up our part which no
mere local furry or isolated cause of complaint
can dissipate.
1t is pleasant for to be able to assure
you Of these things just / sail from your
shores and after pleasant sojourn among
you. and feel freer to speak the honest die
tates OF my heart in this regard because Of the
recent friendly assurances reported 10 have
been sent by my sracio4s sovereign through
Secretary Taft TO your great President. Japan
wants peace with America, now and always;
and she will omit effort to make that desire
q reality. / am convinced that America recp-
rocates that good will and shall bear that re-
port across the ocean
NO GROUND FOR DIFFERENCE.
.ryou. gentlemen of the Chamber of Com
rnerce of San Francisco, are the real ministers
OF peace and international comfy. You stand
for tha. upon which the most lasting goodwill
"a based Your mission is trade industry, COM
rnerce and the development of natures re-
sources II follows as night follows day that
from these must come friendship, mutual under
standing and kindly good will. Japan and
America need each other. and that need will
,row stronger with the years They have
sbousand interests in and not one
r.,.o,aI ground for serious difference. Let me