The San Francisco call., 1908-03-29
MYSTERY OF
AOKPS RECALL
IS EXPLAINED
Tokyo Ministry's Refusal OF
Treaty to Respect Islands
Given as Cause
Friend of Ambassador Imputes
Great UnfriendIiness to
Nippon Government
Roosevelt Waited to Tell Con-
gress. If Fleets Transfer
- Was Questioned
By Ira z. Bennett

WASHINGTON, March 2s.-Sev-
.ersl days ago The Call in an editorial
referred to the mystery of Viscount
Aed's recall, and expressed some
curiosity as to what had inspired the
japanese government In Withdrawing
hifn from Washington
/. 1t happens that person cutie close
TO Niscount Aoki, and who is also a
.confidant of the president, at least IN
certain matters, told rlle recently why
:yiscount Aohi had been recalled. The
story has never been published and l
hsve. no means of verifying it, but l
believe it 70 be true
Last fall, when the Japanese ques-
tion was acute, this person and Am
bssssdor Aoki discussed the situation
and the ambassador expressed dissp-
pointnlent over the steadily increasing
feeling against Japan. he said he had
done his best 10 allsy public feeling
here, but was sorry 10 see that the cor
diaItty so apparent when he first came
here had. been followed by coolness and
frankly expressed unfriendliness, not
toward himself but toward his people.
FEs said he could not understand the
rhenomenon. for II was not possible
t4izt the people OF the whole country
should become exercised over the local
situation in san Francisco Nor did he
believe. it could be ascriced TO race
hatred. since the English. French Itai-
fans and others had displayed the most
cordial friendship FOR the japanese,
even going so far as to enter into
treaties Of alliance with them.
Well" said his friend. why should
not the United States and japan have
an understanding. as well as England
and Japan
TREATY DESIRABLE
An. nothing could be more desir-
able" replied viscount Aoki. and noth-
iHg coud be more out of the question
Jspsn would gladly enter into an un-
derstanding with the United States that
would make all future friction impos-
sibIe, but IL is against the policy Of
the United States to make such ar
rangementS Indeed. no arrangement
can be made with the United States
that il not in the form Of written
treaty. ratified by the senate, and,
therefore. public"
But at least you can have an un-
5erstanding with the president that
NAV reassure himNas to Japan's inten-
tion. and lead him to give you similar
assurances" suggested the visitor rs
is not possible for you 10 meet the
president personally and give him the
assurance OF your government that
Japan has no desire 10 acquire the
philippine islands. for example. and
that Iaborers viii be kept from emf
grating to the United states7 This
would set at rest any apprehenEions
that the president might have, and he
would be likely to reassure you in
tuyn that Japan need have no fear OF
American aggression. either in the
form OF a naval demonstration or in
acts Of discrimination against the
Japanese who come to the United
states" The ambassador replied in
substance:
Japan has not the slightest desire
to acquire the Philippines. or any other
American territory. 1 can give that
assurance In the strongest terms. The
movement OF isborers can be regulated
and wiz be regulated If necessaryfin in
order TO avoid friction with the United
States Perhaps IL mutual assurances
could be exchanged. TO the effect that
the United States and Japan would
agree TO respect each others territorial
rights, and to guarantee them. If neces-
sary. against the encroachment OF
other powers. the existing questions
might be solved
WOULD GIVE GUARANTEE
Japan would be glad TO guarantees
the Philippines against encroachment,
I am sure, and this might be a most
important act Of friendship in the fu-
ture II complications should arise in
voIving other powers II an assurance
is needed that Japan will respect the
absolute sovereignty of the United
States over Hawaii, that. too. will be
given gladly"
The result OF this conversation. Civ
en- here in substance. was visit to
fhe White House by the gentleman in
question His purpose was to ascer-
tain whether the president would en-
.tertain a proposal from Japan. through
Ambassador Aoki. looking to the mu-
tusI guarantee OF the territorial rights
OF the two countries The gentleman
informs me that the president listened