Iditarod pioneer., 1915-05-22
INTERESTING INTERVIEW
 WITH JAPANESE MINISTER
(Chauncey Nj. Cady, in The Outlook

(Chauncey M Cady, in The Outlook
 When Japan sent its ultimatum to Ger many, statements appeared in various papers in the United States which suggested sus- pcicn that Japan did not mean what she said except so far as the ultimatum was notice to Germany to leave the Orient to other powers not at war with Japan's ally, England
 It must be confessed that when the min ister of foreign affairs is reported to say anything before the diet of Japan that can in any way be made to seem to declare that Japan had made no promises in regard to kaochau, such statement lends color to the oft repeated assertion made by vel low journals" and even by those semi yellow" and perchance the blue ones, that Japan is now going back on the assurances given more than once by her great states man, Count Okuma that Japan has no in tention of territorial possession in China nor in the South seas.
 Recognizing the very great danger turk ing in this apparent following of Germanys famous declaration that all promises made between nations when the pinch comes are only scraps of paper" ] sought and ob- tained a conference with Nlscount Chinda, the able amb4>> ador from Japan to the United States,
 In my meeting with Viscount Chinda was greeted with the same cord!ality that
 If 1 had not had some experience in the Japanese ways of getting at thing, l should have considered the interview closed, and have come away with my own conh- dence a bit shaken up, but not shaken, for 1 have had too much proof of the absolute fidelity with which public pledges have been kept to be easily shaken out ot my conf dence in the Japanese governments integ- rlty. So l waited and, sure enough, the added remarks came not exactly as l was locking for them, but so put that III the end l have always experienced, and with the same frankness of statement compatible with his official position, of course. l told him frankly that the reported denial of the foreign minister before the diet had an ugly look and Was sure to be very in jurious in its influence unless it could be in some way either contradicted or explained. The ambassador replied: Baron kato's statement in the diet should not be con strued as declaration of intention on the part of the Japanese government to retain Kiaochau It was not an announcement of any luluIt tOllCyr put oli4iEIS d SidltIltllu of fact made in reply to a direct question on the subject. The whole question of the ultimate disposition of the captured terri tory will not, and from the nature of the case cannot, be decided upon before the restoration of general peace. It would be absolutely impossible for anyone, including the imperial government themselves, to give in any wise or manner an assurance as to the final disposition of the captured terri tory"
 Then he remarked that the statement to the effect that the embassy had contra dicted the denial was incorrect-that no one had any authority for making such a counter statement.
 confess that my spirits went down at this apparent confirmation of what seemed bad faith to some, and l remon- strated that people would not accept that explanation, but would feel either disturbed or confirmed in their suspicion that the