The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1911-03-10
OKUMA AND OTHER JAPANESE
STATESMEN MEET THEO. RICHARDS
AND ACCEPT HANAIrS OFFER

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DR.. Ibuka, president of the Meiji Ca
kuhn, missionary college in Toxic;
Baron Kikuchi, president of the I'M
perial University at Kyoto, ex-minis-
ter of education, who went to New
York last year, on the invitation of
the Civic Forum, and lectured on the
modern civilization of Japan; Hon.
Komatsubara, head of the department
of education; Rev. Danjo Ebina, non
sectarian minister, who is sometimes
called the Henry Ward Beecher of
Japan; Baron Kanda, prominent edu-
Gator, member of the house of peers
and one of the leading members of the
commercial commission which toured
the United States in 1909; Baron Sht-
busawa, the most prominent business
man here, known in America as the
]. Pierpont Morgan of Japan although
his interests are said to be even more
extensive and varied than the greater
New York financier and he is a great
charity worker, contributing literally
and is head of the Orphan Asylum of
Toxic, and Hon. Aisaku Kabayama, son
of Count Kabayama, who was formerly
the minister of education, minister OF
the navy and at one time governor OF
Formosa.
OF these distinguished gentlemen
whom Mr.. Richards has enlisted IN his
broader educational campaign all were
present at the meeting Friday with
the exception of Baron Kikuchi, Hon.
Komatsubara, who had cabinet meet
ing, Rev. Danjo Ebina, Baron Kanda,
Baron Shibushawa and Hon. A. Kaba,
yama all of whom sent word explain
ing why they were unable to be pres
ent.
Count Welcomes Richards.
Count Okuma opened the session
with an address of welcome to Mr.
Richards to which the Honolulu man
responded:
Permit me to acknowledge at the
outset the courtesy of the hospitality
extended to me by our distinguished
host, Count Okuma, long known to me
as to my countrymen, by reputation
/ recognize also the kindness on the
part of very busy men, as evidenced
by this large attendance. have been
asked for impressions of Japan ana
l fear it would be the gravest pre-
sumption for me to venture even the
usual superficial comments. l nave
not seen your celebrated temples, YOU
justly famed art galleries or museums
Il can not say 'kek-ko, since l have
not seen Nikko-I certainly mign
write a large book on what / do no
know of Japan, but l promise you
will not. | am a man OF one idea il
this country-at home l sometimes
allow myself the luxury of two: an
sedulously pursuing-that one. idei
here. hunt noble game-nothinl
less than men. Aye, and you hav,
been wonderfully patient while hunt
ed you With no suggestion of fiat
terry, am justified in saying that
was worth while, and if get no fur
Their impressions of Japan l will b
satisfied with this hour as preeminent
~ worth my effort. For believe tina
l am talking today to the moulder
of public opinion of your country, who
understanding the responsibility a
tached to such a high dignity, wi
understand why l said there was n
tiattery in my reference.
"You would naturally ask, Who the
are your to which / quite frankl
/, reply, Nobody of consequence or
the words of one far greater than
4 am a voice merely. l voice a gift
! as a call to mutual effort. AS to tn
gift (set forth in the printed matte
furnished YOU it is relatively SINAI
= my distinguished countryman, Mr.. Ca
negie, leaves it pitifully small in cor
, parison; but with the heart and IL
+ purpose which are back of it, and a
= ministered by body like this, it me-
/ accomplish more tnan millions locke
/ up in vault in New York city.
4, to the efficacy of voice, it is tri
! to say that constant talk of a thir
1 often brings it into being. ReiteratiC
|; of war-talk makes for war. Compal
3 sons of naval strength, expert opiniC
9 of the possibility of invasion, are Ill
1 unto the chip on the shoulder
I boyhood days. The blow often IoIloV
e with startling rapidity. How fortuna
r that the converse is as unfailingly CO