Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-20
|SCOFF TALK OF WAR
japanese Statesmen Declare
=
Runors of Conflict Absurd.
AMERICA A GOOD FRIEND
Japan in No Condition for Hostili.
ties, Even if Disposed to Be
Aggressive.

NEW YORK, March 20.-The New York
Herald publishes a dispatch from the
Toxic correspondent giving interviews
with a number OF leading japanese states
men and prominent citizens, all denounc-
ing as unthinkable a war between Japan
and the United States.
.Viscount Kaneko, privy councillor and
president, of the American Friends AS
ISOLATION, said:
II wish all Americans thoroughly un-
derstood that japan is fully aware Of
the paramount Importance attaching to
the Monroe doctrine. the cardinal tenet
of Americas policy. and that anything
likely to infringe on it's integrity must
cause complications. Japan Is utterly in
capable Of any action calculated to pre-
cIpftate such an unfortunate result.
+ 1.-THE value we attach to American
friendship is shown in our voluntary re-
striction OF emigration in spite Of con-
siderable economic loss. It is illogical
to suppose we would stultify that action
by Mexican intrigue.
The Policy Of Japan.
"As enunciated by Count komura last
year. our policy hereafter will be to con-
centrate our emigration in Saghaiien
sal tasks awaiting us it is insensate foil,
to suppose that We contemplate a wa,
| with America.
Speaker Haseba Of the house of rep.
resentatives said: 1T passes my com
prehension how such rumOr ever start
ed. II it was not through the deliberate
| inspiration Of interested parties 1t coulc
proceed only from the most deplordblt
! ignorance in Japan. Our present posi-
l A@nxH To- hot r0o - O1rp
| toner, America, is unthinkable. Ever
| IL we so desired. our hands are too full
with the support Of the burden OF deb
and taxation to carry on the stupendous
tasks in Manchuria. Korea. Sashaiien ane
Formosa.
America a Benefactor.
Count Okuma said: Our people have
always regarded America as friend ane
benefactor, and although constitutions
government in Japan is as yet imperfectly
developed, our authorities will not venture
| to run counter to public opinion by the
adoption OF a policy prejudicial to Amer
| lea.
Regarding the origin Of the war ru
| mors I am sorry to say the American
papers are the most frequent offenders
The Japanese press may indulge In com
ment, but rarely starts an agitation
There is no solitary factor likely to en-
| tail q rupture.
| Baron Shfbusawa said: ''Sentimenta
and material ties have bound US to Amer
lea since the day Commodore Perry open
ed the country. When in America.
1900, I voiced the Japanese feelings o
friendship before American audiences II
fifty-three cities in $50 speeches. We re
grad America with respect ana anecnou
| This IL my Arm and sincere belief.
Incapable Of Such Blunder.
Mr.. Yosaburo 1>akekoshi Of the stslwar
constitutional party. said: THE repor
is emphatically without foundation. No
a single person in japanese political cir
cles entertains such an idea. AZ tho es
Establishment Of q .coaling station 800
miles away would weaken Japan. Sucl
a measure would be the height Of folly
politically and strateaicaliy. The jap
anese government Is incapable Of com
hitting such a blunder."
Prince TokuEawa, president Of the UP
pec house, said: when I was in Amer
tea my impression was one Of universe
| amity, which the Japanese rec1procatt
The newspapers abroad are censurabl
for spreading such false Information
Men OF the Hobson type assist II. al
Though whether they are sincere or nc
is hard to say"