New-York tribune., 1908-02-17

states At the Holland House last night he said
that the United States countrC of the
most pacific intentions, deprecated the rumorS
of war which he attributed to certain newspa-
r,ers which he said might have some commercial
motive and said that war between the Two
countries would be the most fnhuman event IN
the worlds history But the war talk, ne added,
was utterly unintelligible 10 him
The cruise of the American battleship fleet to
the Pacific the ambassador pronounced an
affair of only the United States, characterizng
the voyage as a manpuvre on a grand scale.
and if that same feet that has been responsible
for so much of the war talk to visit Japan
Baron Takahira said his countrymen would eX-
tend a hearty welcome He could only think
Of war. he said as a crime against all man
kind
Baron Takahfra has changed little since he
left Washington two years ago, after serving
several years as minister and before that as
attach6 of the legation He is the same Calm
imperturbabe and careful diplomat His black
hair. brushed straight down over his forehead
without being parted. has more gray in II
than it had two years ago. and his eyes are just
as bright His manner, too. is the same as it
was before his elevation in diplomatic rank, dis
playing a much more democratic spirit than his
predecessor.
NEW HONORS GAINED.
His remark yesterday that 4 am the same
man would have been superfuous to any one
who knew him when he left here in Decem-
ber 1908. after his work at Portsmouth. where,
with Baron Komura. he was peace envoy in
negotiation with the Russian envoys, NJ Witte
and Baron Rosen. Since then ne has gained new
honors For his services at that green baize
table at Portsmouth where the Russo-Japanese
peace treaty was negotiated the diplomat has
been knighted, and now he is raised to the office
of ambassador. He comes now from Italy. where
he has been Minister of Japan. His first ex-
preston yesterday was one of qualification over
again being back at his old post at Washing
ton. which he referred to his cradle"
and among his old friends.
When he received the reporters at the HoI-
land House Baron Takahira fully prepared
for them He announced that he would do all
the talking and preferred not t. answer any
questions Laying aside d fat. black cigar. he
read from manuscript all he had to say.
II am very pleased TO come back to this great
country in my present capacity" said the am
bassador = started my career as attache 10
the legation at Washington some thirty years
ago. and I always regarded that city my
cradle. l am going back as the personal
representative of my Emperor TO the President
of the United States. and I think can consider
it triumphant entry into that city.
SAN FRANCISCO TROUBLE
II can easily recall the pleasant experiences 1
passed through in that most trying diplomatic
life working day and night for the whole length
cf two years But the sympathy and friendship
| received from you did much diminish the
anxiety which otherwise would have been inn
nense. No one knows better than do how sin
cere and true that friendship appreciates
more highly its value. All that I thought OF
you then I expressed leaving, and the very
words If my utterances must have been ren1cm-
te-ed hy those VINO cared to take interest in
me may simply yel YOU that I am the same