New-York tribune., 1910-01-28
JAPAN FRIENDLY
PREMIER'S SPEECH.
No Discourtesy Intended
about Manchurian Proposal.

About WGncfluT7dn proposal.
Toxic. Jan. N.-Baron Komura. Minister
Of Foreign Affairs, addressed the Diet this
afternoon upon the subject Of diplomatic
relations. laying special stress upon Japan's
relations with Russia. China and the
United States. Regarding Russia, he said
that the International relations had been
regarded recently with a feeling OF sus-
picion due to groundless rumors. He said:
II assure you with perfect frankness and
sincerity that the bonds of an1ity between
the two countries are being constantly
strengthened, and there is absolutely no
cause for apprehension or concern. Both
governments are dealing in a spirit of
mutual accommodation. which policy will
be maintained firmly in the future I con-
fidently expect further consolidation of
these cordial relations.
The friendship between Japan and the
United States continued the baron,
stands firm and enduring upon the founda-
tons which are essential to the best
interests of the commercial relations of the
Two countries. Both governments are
directing their best efforts to attain the
object in view
Baron Konura detailed the opportunities
Wnlch the last year afforded TO manifest
LeeHngs or mutual regard between the
United States and Japan. mentioning the
Visit OF the American squadron the fact
that a member of the imperial family had
attended the Hudson-Fulton celebration in
new York, and Japan's participation in
the Portola festivities at San Francisco.
MANCHURIAN PROPOSAL
he spoke of the splendid reception ac-
corded the Japanese business men who
visited the United States, and said that
the welcome received afforded profound
satisfaction in Japan, where it could not
1all TO exercise powerful influence. He
added
Inc relations between Japan and China
a dnvoIve important and farreaching conse-
0uences politically and economically. In
spIIi or mutual cOnciliation the most
sp9rganf outstanding issues have been
Is mat the Chinese authorities, in view of
Se 5nese considerations, will exert every en-
uedVor 10 promote these friendly relations
ana secure the general repose and stability
of the Orient
The The policy of Japan in Manchuria is
open door and equal opportunity. The i'm
perlaI government has always held and
VIII invariably adhere Loyalty to that policy
IN Ine Iurtherance of which Japan decided
10 open Port Arthur in order 70 contrib
9te 20 the development of Manchuria and
Iaclntate the commerce of all nations 1t
is confidently hoped that this immuta Bile
policy will receive the recognition of the
powers.
The United States government recentIv
proposed a plan regarding the neutraliza-
Lon OF Manchurian railways The imperial
Japanese interests involved and consid-
erlng that the proposal came from friend
~ power with which the empire was on
terms of close intimacy, submitted the
question TO the most careful examination.
While determined TO adhere scrupuIously to
the policy of the open door and equal op-
DOrLun1CY, II should he rGCOC0iZed That r6a
reaHzauon OF the proposed plan would in
VoiVe radical changes in the condition OF
analrs in Manchuria which were estab-
1sned by the treaties Of Portsmouth and
Peklng. The change must be attended by
serious consequences.
IN the region affected by the South Man
chur1an Railway numerous undertakings
nave Deen promoted in the belief that the
railway would remain in our possession
AS a consequence the imperial govern
ment, with regret, was obliged to announce
It's inability TO consent to the proposal.
ciate our position and that the other powers
will equally recognize the justice of the
Japanese attitude.
ANGLO-JAPANEsE ALLIANCE.
The Anglo-Japanese alliance. the minister
said, was increasingly satisfactory, and
referring to the Japan-British exhibition
TO be held at London. he said that the en-
terprise would be instrumental to a great
extent in developing the trade and con-
solidating the friendship between the two
countries.
On the subject of new treaties Baron Ko-
mura said that the government intended to
conclude treaties based entirely on reci-
procity, eliminating all unequal engage
ments appearing in the present treaties, in
cuding the unilateral conventional tariff
law Discussing the coastwise trade of the
empire and the matter of import duties. he
said that the government intended that
statutory tariff should be applied.
Following Baron Komura's speech VI.
Ozaki, Mayor of Toxic, prominent member
of the Conservative party and regarded al
one OF the ablest orators of the country, un-
sparingly criticised the haste and curtness
with which he asserted the government had
replied to the American proposal for the
naturalization of the Manchurian railways
He denounced as discourteous and unseen
ly the attitude assumed in Japan by those
who believed that anything but the most
sincere and friendIiest motives were behind
the American proposal.
AMERICAN CHAMPION CHEERED.
Mayor Ozaki spoke with unusual earnest
ness and almost every sentence of his re-
marks was applauded. He insisted that
though the proposal could not be accepted.
there was reason why the government
and people of Japan should adopt any other
than the most friendly attitude. In fact, he
thought it was the duty of Japan as a gov
ernnlent and the people to regard and treat
the United States always as Japan's best
friend among the nations
At the conclusion of the Mayors remarks
there was an unusual and continued dem
onstration of applause.
Baron Komura took occasion to reply
briefly TO what NJ. Ozaki had said The
baron explained that the government had
not the slightest intention of discourtesy
toward the government of the United States.
The iu1practicabiity of the Manchurian pro-
posal was evident, but Japan's refusal TO
accept it did not mean unfriendIiness tow
ard the government and people with whom
-icir al