The Washington herald., 1909-07-06
.TAKAHIRA'S VISIT
STIRS UP COMMENT
Not Believed, However, that
1t Means Recall.
INFORMATION LACKING NOW
Opinion Prevails that Ambassador
Is Going TO Japan to Confer In
Expire - Promotion of japanese
and HIS Fitness for Post.

No definite information could be OBJ
tanned yesterday in regard 10 the re-
ported recall OF Baron Kogero Takahira.
japanese Ambassador 10 the United
States.
The Ambassador. accompanied by Ma
sanao Hanihara. secretary Of the En-
bassy. spent the day in Philadelphia,
where he delivered an address A high
Official OF the State Department said no
information had been received of the
Ambassadors recall. he added 1t was
highly improbable" that Baron Taxa
hirh had been recalled.
The Ambassador returned home late
last night
There has been much speculation among
members OF the diplomatic corps regard
ing the matter ever since Il was an
nounced a few days ago that the Am
bassador would leave shortly for a trip
10 Japan The purpose OF the visit 10
Tokyo. II was explained. was 20 confer
with officials OF the japanese foreign
ONCE regarding the revision OF the ex-
istinC treaty between the United States
and Japan. which expires IN 1911 Baron
TaSshira will leave Washington shortly
after the present session OF Congress
ends.
Important Matters Pending.
There are several important diplomatic
matters pending in the japanese foreign
Office. which might make It necessary
for. the Ambassador 70 visit Tokyo this
summer. The principal reason for such
trip Is found in the fact that the
existing commercial treaties between
Japan and almost every foreign govern
ment except the United States viii ex-
pire next summer. The japanese gov
erument. it is believed here, VIII within
the next few months begin the work OF
revising the existing treaties so that sub
stitate conventions viii be ready for sig
natures by the time the present treaties
with foreign governments expire.
The belief prevails that Baron Takahira
has been summoned home 20 confer with
the officials OF the foreign Office regard
ing the general features OF these new
treaties The existing treaty OF commerce
and navigation between Japan and the
. United States VIII not expire until July,
. 1911, one year later than the date OF ex-
I u
ana the European countries. Another rea-
son which Is put forth 10 explain the
Ambassadors visit Is that the japanese
government desires detailed explanation
0f the effect Of the new American tariff
law upon japanese products. This theory
IS substantiated BY the fact that the Am
bassacor viii not leave Washington until
the tariff bin has been passed
BY reason OF his long service in the
United States. Ambassador Takahira Is
especially qualified for the Washington
post Shortly sitter the Portsmouth peace
conference IN 1906. Baron Takahira. who
was then minister 70 the United States
and who vas also one or the japanese
I representatives al the conference. was
/ promoted 20 be Ambassador 10 Italy In
recognition OF the service given by Mr.
Roosevelt IN bringing about peace be
tween Russia and Japan. the japanese
/ government raised the Washington mis-
/ sion from a legation 10 an embassy. Wis
/ count Suizo Aok was appointed Ambassa-
/ dor 20 the United States. but his services
were unsatisfactory. and he was recalled
within one year after his appointment.
Useful as AmbassadOr.
In spite Of the fact that Baron Taxa
| hira had been az Rome for only q shor,
time. the japanese foreign Office felt he
would be more useful as Ambassador "a
the United states, and he was sent back
| 20 Washington in 1905.
Ambassador Takahira IS probably the
/ best informed diplomat in the japanese
/ foreign service on all matters relating tC
/ American politics. From 1879 20 1SS2 he
served as secretary. and occasionally as
1 charge d'aGaires OF the legation az Wash
/ ington. In 1882 he was appointed consul
I general at New York In 1870 he resigned
( the post OF vice minister OF foreign az
I fairs in Tokyo 20 become Minister 10 the
Z United States, and except the years 100
K 10 1905 when he Was Ambassador tC
Italy, ne has been the japanese diplomatic
| representative IN Washington.