The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-11-30
No Formal Alliance Was Pro-
posed Because of American
Tradition Against Such En-
tangIements.
TAFT HEARD PROPOSAL
FROM ROYAL MINISTER
President-EIect Was Told that
Japanese Situation in Asia
And Agreement With the
U. S. Was Suggested.

y. y. WdS 0uYYtSlcu.
New York, Nov 30-The World
publishes the following from a staff
correspondent at Hot Springs, Va:
1t can be stated upon authority
that as early as 1905 Japan made ov-
ertures to the United States for an un-
derstanding for the maintenance of
the status quo in Asia, an understand
ing the original idea of which contem-
plated a concert of action by the Unit
ed States, Japan and Great Britain. At
that time the defensive alliance be-
tween Japan and Great Britain had al
ready been formed.
The Japanes did not propose for
NAL alliance, knowing the American
tradition against any such entangle-
ment; it was suggested, however, thai
the understanding should take the
form Of a MISUNDERSTOOD agreement,
which should have the binding power,
morally, of formal treaty.
That such a triple alliance or under
standing was proposed is a secret that
has been carefully guarded up to the
present time. The proposal by Japan
was made through William II. Taft.
When Mr.. Taft, as secretary of war,
was returning to the Philippine Is
lands he stopped in Japan and was
received with almost dramatic hospi-
tality by the Japanese government.
The emperor showed an interest in
the secretary that attracted general
attention, for the common theory was
that Mutsuhito ana his statesmen
were eager to relieve the United
States Of the burden of sovereignty in
the Philippines.
After Mr.. Taft had been received at
the Palace one of the imperial min.
listers, Count Katsura, sought a pri-
vate interview with him. Speaking
for the emperor this minister an
nounccd to the American secretary of
war that Japan desired to enter into
an understanding which should in
clude both the United States and
Great Britain
Explained the Situation.
He explained the Japanese view OF
the situation in Asia and pointed oui
that only through a combination oi
| Of China and Korea. equality of trade
conditions and other objects dear to
Japan and also desired by the British
| and Americans, be made secure.
Japan was anxious to promote an
arrangement that would prevent the
| weakness of China, for instance, from
encouraging European intrigues and
encroachments that might turn Asia
into one vast battlefield. Believing
in the honesty and intelligence o.
American and British policy and re
cognizing the growing interests o
| both nations in the Far East, japan
| had come to the deliberate conclusion
that future peace could only be secur
| ed by means Of such a triple under
standing.
| Mr.. Taft answered that as Secre
| tary of War such a matter did not
come within his jurisdiction, that il
was a subject which could be consid
cred only by the President and Secre
tary of State, and that if treaty
were contemplated, nothing could be
done without the consent of the Sen
| ate.
| The Emperor's spokesman sale
that that was well understood by
Japan, but that in view Of Mr.. Taft's
close relationship to President Roose
velt and his intimate knowledge o.
the temperament and disposition o.
the Washington Administration, par
ticularly as Mr.. Taft had guided anc
administered American policy in the
far East. the Japanese Government
felt justined in approaching him in
matter of such overwhelming interna
tional Importance in order to test tn,
ground before proposing the matter
to the President.
Cabied to the President
| At the end of the conference tn.
japanese Minister prepared a mem
orandum of the conversation Thil
was edited by Mr.. Taft who cabled i
to the President through the State. De
partment. The note s s.insthe archfve.
of the State Department now. Th,
President replied, approving the posi-
ton that Mr.. Taft had taken
1t is impossible to say at presen
whether Great Britain was consulted
by Japan before she attempted to Sc
cure the United States as an ally.
It wifi amaze the people of Japan t.
know that 1t was their own Govern
ment and not that Of Russia which
took the first steps 10 secure the me
diation OF President Roosevelt,
which ended the mighty armed strus
gle in Mancffuria.
| A personal representative of the