The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1908-03-21
JAPAN THINKS
SUM TOO SMALL
THE AMERICAN APPROPRIATION
FOR A SHOW AT THE TOXIC En-.
POSITION

TOXIC, February 22.--since the pub.
lication In Japan Of that portion of the
Presidents message bearing on partici-
tation by the United States in the in
ternational exposition to be held in
TOXIC in 1912 there has been much
speculation as to the extent to which
America would take part
The exposition, it should be remen-
bered / sstrictly a government under
taking. Bills have been introduced in
the diet providing for the lifting of
the customs duties from all exhibits
and also for protecting the patents and
copyrights of exhibitors. In gen
eral way the machinery of the exposi-
ton is moving and before the end of
1908 everything will be well under
way.
All the first-class powers have signi-
ed at the exposition, and altogether
some eight or nine governments have
made announcements and inquiries as
to the regulations, but is fully real
lied here that much depends upon
what the United States may decide In
fact, some of the first class powers
have stated frankly that they would
like 10 know what America proposes
to do. Japan and the Japanese in their
turn are curious to know whether and
to what extent the government, as
government, will respond to the re-
commentator made by President
Roosevelt.
Viscount Keneko, president of the
exposition, has written a letter to Mr..
O'Brien the American ambassador in
which he expresses qualification at re-
ceipt of the news that Mr.. Hayes of
! California had introduced a bill APP
propriating S250,0O0 for the American
exhibit. but somewhat significantly
/ goes on to say that in view of the
! Importance attached by the Japanese
government to the constantly growing
trade and particularly the traditional
friendship between the United States
and Japan, he desires the ambassador
to use his influence toward inducing
the American government to make as
generous an appropriation as the occa-
sion in his opinion justifies.
Viscount Kaneko points out that
| when the st. Louis exposition was
opened in 1901 Japan was unfortunate
ly engaged in war, but Notwithstanding
thi sthe Japanese government appro-
priated the sum of 100000 as Japan's
schare in the exposition. He then
goes back to the record of 1903 and
states that the appropriation of $36O,OO0
by the Japanese government for the
worlds fair in Chicago was entirely
apart from the large interest taken
by individuals and corporations in the
exposition. There is disappointment
in business circles generally that no
greater sum has been set aside for the
American representation. Viscount
Kaneko specifically states that in his
! belief whatever sum the United States
decides to appropriate will be a sort of
| NlduudIu lOI JULIET udllOuS.
Speaking in this connection, the Wis
count said recently: ct is out earnest
wish that the American government
take part in our exhibition in a manner
not only fitting the great republic, but
setting for others an example the in
fluence of which will be farreaching. 1
do not desire to be critical or to APP
Fear churlish, but if the sum of $780,
900 is meant to be the total that your
! government desires to appropriate 1t
would be less than the appropriations
our government EIade when your last
two worlds fairs were held. | am
afraid that this would be a bitter dis
appointment to our people. There are
two purposes in the holding of this
eXposition--they are commercial and
social, and purposely put commercial
first, because the trade relations be-
cause the trade relations between our
two countries are becoming more inn
portant to both of us every day, and
in 1912 will be very much more inn
portant than they are today, so that
the exposition will Undoubtedly have
tremendous effect. Then, too there
sthat social question of which have
so frequently spoken, viz, the knitting
together of the two peoples"
The Japanese government is appro-
priating 100000 yen for the enter
prise.
Aoyama, one of the highest and most
healthful parts of Toxic, it is Off
cially announced has been chosen as
the site for the grand exposition OF
Japan, to be held from April / to
October 81. 1912.
}, Aoyama lies in the Akasaka section