New-York tribune., 1908-02-17
WAR WITH u.s.? ABSURD!
Continued from first page.

man with the same mind when l left Amer
lea for Japan in December, 1905
81 know that some questions have arisen since
then about the segregation of Japanese children
in the schools the Pacific Coast and about
: Japanese immigration. / cannot, of course. tell
you what the exact status of these ques-
tions is, yet L tell you that in spite of the
excitement and speculation reported from time
to time by the newspapers there has never been
any change in the friendship of the two govern
ments which has been historically ablshed
between them, and they are both sincere
in their cordial relations. This is at least
what am given to understand and am going
back to Washington in my confident belief that
I will find them the good friends as 1 left
them two years ago last December.
VOYAGE OF THE FLEET
"As to the voyage of the American fleet to the
Pacific Coast which has been much talked of
recently, I consider it purely American affair."
/ hear there have been all sorts of speculations
advanced regarding the motives of such a
voyage but I have always thought that the
most reasonable that attribute TO
it is that it is naval manuuvre on a grand
scale. The United States is country of the
most pacific intentions, has been well proved
by IT'S history AS we say in our proverb
Don't forget war in time of peace 1t must
be necessary even for such a great country to
ascertain and then, the working capacity
of your ships and the discipline Of your
''You will certainly learn great deal by such
a long cruise by such a large force. They are
not only going to the Pacific Coast. but the
same time pass through South American
waters, and If there is anything in it that can
indicate it as a demonstration it must be
demonstration TO the whole world in order to
show that the United States has a great power
that can be sent out in support of a legitimate
cause, which is always at the bottom of Ameri-
can diplomacy. We have therefore no
for being suspicious about their visit to the Pa
cifc. You may have noticed that the japanese
newspapers have been publishing lately their
desire to welcome your fleet If they should come
to Japan. This shows how our people regard
the cruise.
"AIl this war talk which hear has been
published here frequently in connection with it
is utterly unintelligibe to me. On the other
side Of the Atlantic where have been until
few days ago. l many prominent men smile
at such news as the smoke without the fire, and
discussed it as commercial news-that is to say,
the spread out with certain object 20
serve some special interest of the newspapers. l
only telling you what L heard from others.
without any intention OF crticsing your news
papers.
"At ali events, # is pity that such an i'm
preston should have been allowed TO be created
against small portion of the American
press You know it was well said by your
famous general that war is hell It is
q concurrent opinion among the best military
experts of all the great powers that war is moro
hellish than it used to be. owing to the great
scientific improvements being constantly applied
to man-slaughtering machines.
1T is impossible for OF ordinary sanity
I'll.
in spite of the sincere friendship actually ex-
listing between them. 1t is a crime against
humanity against civilization, against the we'll
being of the whole of mankind Such war, if
ever fought, would be the most inhuman event
of the worlds history. Our people. at least,
do not think of the possibility of such an un-
fortunate event.
Baron Takahira will go to Washington this
morning
Many of the local Japanese called on the new
ambassador last night to pay their respects