New-York tribune., 1913-05-16
President Hopeful for Peaceful
Solution of Japanese A.
fair, but Is Alert to
Possibilities.
WILL MOVE NO WARSHIPS
ALI Appearances of Hostilities
To Be Avoided-Secretaries
of War and Navy and
Mr.. Moore in White
House Conference.
From The Tribune Bureau. ]

House Conference.
From The Tribune Brreau.l
Washington May 15.-Signifcant in
dications that the administration re-
CARDS the California japanese situ1-
tion with the utmost concern deyel-
oped D-day as a result OF a secret
conference at the White House be-
tween the President and the acting
Secretary Of State and the Secretaries
Of War and Navy. two calls by the
japanese Ambassador at the Depart
ment Of State and an official announce
ment that this governments reply 10
Japan's protest TO the anti-alien land
legislation is in the course of prepa-
ration. Because OF the secrecy thrown
a bout the conference Of President Will
son with Secretaries Garrison an1
Daniels and John Bassett Moore, the
acting Secretary OF State. numerous
wild rumors were current. There were
hints that the conference was the re-
suit OF new developments In the Mexi-
can situation, but il may be stated N
the highest authority that the Cali
fornia japanese situation was the sub
ject under discussion.
There is no secret now OF a recent
order from the White House 10 the
be no movement OF warships which
would have the emblance OF any sig
nificance as bearing on the California
japanese situation, and IL was officially
stated to-day that no immediate
change in the policy is contemplated
as a result OF the unusual conference
late this evening. II does not follow.
however. that the preparedness Of the
navy will not be augmented in so far
as possible.
Troops Going to Hawai-.
The administration has determined
to increase the military forces in Ha
vail Immediately by the addition Of
two companies OF coast artillery. The
! transfer OF these companies has been
contemplated for some time, but orders
were issued to-day TO expedite the
movement. and they will sail from San
Francisco just as soon as arrangements
can be made for their transportation.
These orders relieved Colonel Will
lam {. Rafferty,. coast artillery corps,
Of the command of the coast defences
OF the Potomac and of the post OF Fort
Washington 10 sail for Honolulu with
the 10Th and the 1i3d companies of
coast artillery; assigned Captain
George l.. Hicks. jr., To accompany
Colonel Rafferty, as a member OF his
staff, and directed Major Frank ".
Coe. now personnel officer, North At
lantic coast artillery district, TO sail on
the same steamer.
The announcement was made az the
White House tonight that there was
no change in the diplomatic aspects Of
the japanese situation and that pros
pects promise an adjustment Of the
differences between the two nations.
An endeavor was made 10 minimize the
gravity Of the situation with the ex-
panaton that TO a certain degree the
presence Of Mr.. Moore at the confer
ence was merely coincidence.
Moore Hears Discussion.
IL is significant. however. that Sec
retaries Garrison and Daniels went 10
the White House 10 talk with the
President about the preparedness" Of
the army and navy and that Mr.. Moore
listened 10 the discussion. Mr.. Moore
went 10 the White House 10 talk 10 the
President about certain legal phases OF
the governments reply 10 Japan. his
visit being at the request OF President
Wilson. These facts are advisedly ad-
mitted with the explanation that there
was a Misunderstanding in making the
Appointments. the original programme
having been for Mr.. Moore 10 confer
with the President alone.
Throughout the negotiations between
Ambassador Chinda and the State De-
partment the unquestionable fact that
there is a strong lingo element in Japan
has been recognized by both sides and
borne i'm mind in the exchange Of repre-
sentations. II is this frebrand element
which has been feared from the first
and is now taken into consideration
when the United states is preparing 10
submit a formal reply 10 Japans pro-
test. Ambassador Chinda realizes fully
what the result Of the expected unfa-
vorable reply will be in Japan and has
cautioned the Department of State.
Because the real crisis in the situa-
ton is approaching President wilson
is determined 10 be prepared. That Is
why he discussed the preparedness
OF the army and navy with Secretaries
Garrison and Daniels to-day. He Is
alert TO the possibilities which attend
the termination OF the diplomatic
negotiations. although he is. OF course,
most hopeful that there will be an
amicable adjustment of the contro-
versv. He is also earnestly anxious to
avoid taking any steps which could be
misconstrued as being the slightest de-
gree bellicose, ut he recognizes that
the serious phases OF the situation
must not be overlooked
Ambassador Chinda was furnished
with a copy OF Governor Johnson's re-
ply by the State Department to-day.
a,d ,hare are reasons for believing that