The Washington herald., 1909-04-11

Banzai, Banzaii Banzsi, were the joy
Gus shouts. half in japanese and half
/ in a decidedly American accent which
rang through the windows Of the Shore
/ ham Hotel last night.
They were a greeting 20 Senator Elihu
/ Root. former Secretary Of State. and
/ Baron Kogoro Takahira. japanese Am
bassadoT. as they passed cnder the Stars
and Stripes and the imperial standard
Of Japan, on leaving the banquet room
where Francis b. Loomi Gnited States
/ Commissioner General TO the Tokyo TX
position, had just entertained the visiting
/ director general and the imperial COM
missioner from japan. Mr. HikoiIro
wsda and Or. Tokutarc Saka. respec-
lively.
Long may they wave over the lands
OF the free and the homes OF the brave. q"
shouted Representative J. Warren Keifer.
OF Ohio as he saw the flags waving in
unison over the heads OF the two great
statesmen OF the United States and ia
pan; one the past master OF American
I y
ties 70 the United States Senate. and the
other Baron Takahira. the little giant Of
Oriental statecraft. who has risen from
the ranks TO almost the highest position
in the gift OF the Tokyo foreign Ofice,
which he entered many years ago as a
simple attache.
Central Figures at Banquet.
Surrounded by United States Senators
Representatives in Congress. officers Of
the state Department. diplomatists. gen
erals and admlrals. these two statesmen
were last night the central figures at a
banquet IN which the United States and
Japan. through distinguished representa-
tives. fraternized in good cheer. each
applauding the expressions OF respect.
admiration. and esteem offered by the
other.
The occasion was nOminally a dinner
given in honor OF the two commissioners.
who. during the past week. have been
entertained as guests OF the nation at
Washington.
Yet the distinguished character OF the
guests and the tenor OF the addresses de-
ivered made the banquet in reality
tween two great nations. whom the rest
OF the world. disregardinS their great
community OF interest and exaggerating
their natural rivalry. persist in regarding
as enemies
TakahIra Responds to Toast.
Mr.. LOomis presided over the gather
ing. Baron Takahira responded 10 the
tcast 10 the Emperor OF Japan. Attorney
General Wickersham spoke after they
drank 10 the health OF the President OF
the United States. Each spoke seriously
Of the historic and natural friendship OF
the two nations.
TOkutaro Saka spoke for himself and
Mr.. Wads. he said the United States
was the first OF the worlds great nations
70 appropriate money Tor the exposition
10 be held in his country. and the frst
10 send a commission 10 Japan. He ex-
planned that the date OF the exposition
was originally set for 1912. but that lack
OF hotel accommodations. and Of raj load
and steamboat facilities made his coun-
try decide 10 postpone the date for
FIVE years. when a better. bigger. and
more successful exposition could be given.
He spoke Of the great popularity OF
President Taft in Japan. and said that IN
his country more extra papers were sold
announcing the news OF Tafts election
than had ever been sold before. even dur
Ing the war with Russia
As Senator Root rose 10 speak a hush
spread through the banquet room.
broken only by rounds Of enthusiastic ap-
plause as he made one telling points after
another. Every one present seemed TO
realize that his speech, although extern
pOraneous. would be more than a mere
casual conglomeration Of after dinner re-
marks.
Praise for Japanese Spirit.
The former Secretary OF State. who OF
more than one occasion succeeded in
averting a development OF dangerous nII
will between the two nations. compli-
mented the japanese on their modesty.
as the test Of true gentlemen. who re-
Trained from calling their proposed dis
play OF commercial and Industrial prog
ress an international exposition, but
termed il merely a national exhibit.
They did not assume" he said. that
the nations OF the world would flock 10
their shores TO participate in this expo
siti0n OF theirs, which they began on a
modest scale. But when thy realized this.
with a degree Of wisdom and common
sense. which all OF Us would do well 10
initiate, they determined 70 postpone
the date OF their exposition. so that
when they opened 1t they would really
have one to open"
He declared the government Of the
United States participated as heartily IN
aiding the change as they had in the
original plan.
I'VE welcome the project OF A great
exposition in Japan" he continued. be
cause the best guarantee OF friendship
between the nations is based on a knowl-
edge and understanding between the two
people, leading 10 the growth Of friend
ship. respect and admiration.
In these international affairs the cues
ton is not what we do to-day. but what
we do for the future. Our lives are
short We come out OF nothing and in
a few years we pass into forgetfulness. l
But these two great nations will live
for centuries TO come"
Senator Roots speech was created With