The Washington times., 1909-10-09
RIGHT ON THE JOB
IS PROPHET LEWIS
Recent Incidents of Orient
ForecaSted Last Sum-
mer, Opineth He.

James Hamilton Lewis, who came
here last night from Chicago, is a
prophet
This admission comes not from Nj.
Lewis with garrulOus ease or stern
insistence. Rather, the words steal
forth from the fairyland of his su-
perb. pink whiskers with relutanCe
ana hesitance.
But at this time, when all the
world wonders why Charles r. Crane,
the new minister to China, is speed
ing back to Washington from san
Francisco, where he was about to set
sail for the Celestial kingdom, Mr..
Lewis opines that Things which he,
Lewis, prophesied last summer have
come to pass and have necessitated
Cranes coming back here for con-
ferences with the Secretary of State.
James Hamilton Lewis Is a former
member oI congress and an authority
on dress, department, and affairs in the
orient, lie came back 20 this country
last July from "trip through Japan
China, Korea, Manchuria. and Siberia. -
Would Be Great Aid.
Whether he Will be called Into the
conference tomorrow with Knox and
Crane, he does not know. But he does
know much that would help those off,
cials in Strengthening out the relations
between Japan and China.
Seated in the lobby of the Willard
LnlS morning. MI Lewis ADJUSTED the
ends of his collar into perfect position
with q touch no heavier than the down
from butteriiy's wing, took an ap
proving look at the turquoises in his
sleeve button, and SAID:
when 1 was over there I assumed
to Investigate many things which I
thought would be Of great interest TO
this Government 1 assumed to do
this he concluded with d fine EN-
rhasis on the word assume" an en-
phasis which indicated that. perhaps,
lie might not have assumed after all.
NO he explained II cannot say
whether I went there t1n,sar "a cor1r1fs-
sion from Mr.. Roosevelt. Nobody has
ever been able TO find that out. How
ever, 1 wrote a detailed report on the
things ! saw. and il is only fair TO say
that many things which / prophesied in
that document have now come TO pass.
Tribute to Crane
To MI Crane. Mr.. Lewis paid a high
tribute. accompanying the words with
sweep Of a hand that looked to be worth
about d million dollars.
Crane" he said, sis an excellent fell
low-fne, skilled in business, and Of
great general ability. 1 know him well.
lie belongs 20 the same clubs as myself.
l ike HIM much
China appealed TO Mr.. Lewis. There
the people engage in ancestor worship,
and Lewis comes originally from the
South. In China, the most gracious
gentlemen arr most giOriOusly polite,
anu Lewis is rhe uncrOwned king OF
pollteness. If Beau Nash were living
today James Hamilton would make
aim look Ike piano mover. In China
there IS much diplomacy, and Mr.. Lewis
Is as diplomatic as a politician a week
before election day. In China. CONVEX
sauOn IS great art, and, when Lewis
canse along. the Chinese welcomed him
IS fellow artist.
These are some of the reasons why
the State Department can not well af-
ford TO neglect the Information Mr.
Lewis has in his head regarding the
situation in the Orient He was frank
70 say that he had not been summoned
mere lOr conference He has come on
law business. for N law. as IN other
things, Air. Lewis is there with the big
goods.
Not Called Yet.
He has not get been notified that he
is wanted at the conference which IS ex-
pected to determine big events in the
Orient, but he may get the word any
time today. He is in readiness to tell
me department all about Manchuria and
Korea, but he is not scattering CONT
Dental Information broadcast for the
newspapers. Rather. IL must come sibiI-
antly from behind the superb WHISPERS
and tickle only the ears of the men in
charge OF the diplomatic affairs of this
country.
But Of one thing he is supremelv con-
adent, and that is that Crane is NOT 70
be deprived Of his post
II Is not possible, not possible" he
said, and with his deep .Obefsance ne
pald tribute to the character OF his aI,-
sent friend, who belongs TO the same
ciuDs as he and Is altogether fine.