The sun., 1908-12-20
fAElHIRA TALKS FOR PEACE
JAPANESE AMBASSADOR GUEST
or THE LOTOS CLUB.

Z, iaratlOn OF Policy by the Two Govern.
u,ents Only Reafiirms Friendship.
q The Japanese Ambassador. Baron Ko-
Roro Takahira, TO whom the Lotos Club
rave a complimentary dinner last night.
laid much OF the blame for the tension
which existed between his Government
and ours some time ago on public mis-
conception of the meaning OF diplomacy.
The press was somewhat at fault, SAID
Ambassador Takahira. in rejecting so
sharply mistaken idea Of events, but
To did not desire to criticiee the press.
be added. .....
Tho Ambassadors address expressed
the utmost friendliness for America and
Asnerioans and voiced what Ambassador
Takahira believed to- be the general
feeling OF the Japanese people. that the
United States is the best friend OF Japan
among the nations. Members Of the club,
President Frank r.. Lawrence, Rear
admiral Caspar F. Goodrich. Seth Low,
The Rev DR.. Robert s. Macarthur and
others, congratulated the Ambassador on
the work he has been doing, with particu-
lar reference to the understanding be-
tween Japan and the United States.
The dinner. one of the last of the
larger affairs in the present home Of
the Lotos Club, was attended by
about 800 OF the members Of the
club and their guests. The presi-
dent OF the club. Frank p. Lawrence.
presidsd. seated under an archway which
was dFaped with the Japanese and Amer
lean flags. At his right was the guestiof
honor, Others at the table were the
Japanese Consul General. Seth Low, Rabbi
Wise. Andrew Carnegie, Martin W. Little
ton, Hamilton Holt, James NJ. Beck, John
iH. Wise, Admiral Goodrich, Melville
H. Stone and the Rev. DR.. Macarthur At
other tsbies we're Alexander c. Humph-
reys, Charles W. Price, Sir Caspar Pur-
don Clarke, DIR. W. W. Walker, John
Eiderkin. John F. O'Rourke, David H.
Taylor, John Hawkesworth, Richard C.
Yeit. j. II. Flagler. Samuel Untermyer.
George Il. Story. Isaac N. Seligman.
senator Chaunoey NJ. Depew and E. s.
Newbold.
President Lawrence, in introducing
Ambassador Takahira, said that we must
admire Japan for sher triumphs of peace
rather than war. Her remarkable
achievements during the progress of the
Russian war proved, said Mr.. Lawrence,
that lives had been thrown away on other
recent wars That seroes Of achieve
mants had been justly called, he thought.
she real triumph Of Japan.
Eve cannot meet without recalling with
warm gratitude her splendid hospitality
toward the American-navy,' said MIR. Law
rsnce. Then he proposed rising toast
to The Ambassador MIR. Takahira, speak
ing very slowly and distinctly, said
that Japan's rise began with the visit OF
Commodore Perry half a century ago.
and that Japan has always wanted to
ropay the American nation great debt
of gratitude. The Japanese believe that
the United States is their best friend among
the nations, he said, amid cheering. and
Japan has looked first to the United
States for sympathy and guidance.
IAN you have done hitherto will never
be- forgotten" said the Ambassador.
smiling to the right and left.
He apologized for reading set speech
but thought that he could make swifter
progress that way. He said:
3 Whom lived in this city many years ago
Iusod to 60 to the Harlem River for fishing
EI<1 I saw that the boatman always rowed
hard when the tide was against him. In
tbe same way | now see that diplomat
s\Seais much when his affairs are not in
good shape. But as things are now be-
tween the United States and Japan there
is nothing 10 warrant much speech making.
fully believe l am not mistaken when
say that our relations are in the best pos
tsble condition. think We may say there
Is now nothing more to be desired in the
relations of our two countries.
But n the past is 10 serve as lesson for
The future IL would be well to consider what
we have had to experience for these few
years. In these years we have 10 admit
we had such terrible time in regard to
our relations as we could never have an
ti0pated. No doubt there were some
undesirable incidents occurring between
some people OF the two countries but they
We're only local affairs and in no way 10 he
l8fErdcd as menacing to our traditional
ffiendship. But too much importance
,fas stven To them in some quarters and
even a war clamor was allowed TO be raised
III spite OF the sincere good will continually
existing between the two Governments.
But thanks to the sincerity of the friend
Ahip existing all the time between the two
t50yeFpments no serious consequen ces
BefA nliowed to occur that might otherwise
I6l,ow such circumstances.
took the opportunity at dinner given
h my honor on my arrival here some months
ago TO declare that there is no art in our
Rnfne OF diplomacy, In our International
transactions can most firmly repeat the
same assertion and add that there is no such
word as diplomacy as popularity defined.
The declaration OF the two Governments
reoe1tly made by the United States and
Japan In regard to their respective policy
20 China and the Pacific is q good example,
It e simply reaffrmation OF what was
Understood between them years ago and
there Is practically nothing which was not
'bffherfo2 declared between them. 1t is
IKE q ff4nsaction between trusted friends.
1t requires no formality to legalize the
Instrument.
Stili when such declaration was made
between the Governments OF great moral
efandins like those Of the United States
and Japan twill undoubtedly have an i'm
p0rrant eject. which i think is already
begfnuing to be felt in many ways, and 1t
- my sincere desire that the peoples OF
eAch country will have the same mind as
their own Government in trusting that Of
the other, and In doing 80 L am convinced
their rights VIII be fully protected and their
interests largely advanced TO the mutual
benefit Of the two countries. I
Gentlemen, thank you for the atten-
ton Iwish you happiness and prosperity.
IL A..