The Washington times., 1915-04-28
No Real Ground for Apprehen-
sion as to Future Relations,
He Declares.
JAPAN'S INTERESTS AT HOME
All Friction Between U. S and
0rientaIs Caused by the In
migration Problem.
BY OSCAR KING DAVIS.


future relations between Japan and the
United States. There is no real cause
for alarm. Japan's economic interests
lie close at home. and that fact Ia we'll
understood here"
That is the way in which Count
Okuma. the head Of the japanese gov
ernment. summed up. this afternoon.
the expression of his views on the
American-Japanese situation. 1t was a
frank and interesting discussion of
matters that have caused a great deal
Of uneasiness in both the United States
and Japan. and it presented the situa-
ton from the Japanese point Of view in
a way which Is worthy of the thought
full attention of Americans who really
care about continuing friendly relations
with Japan and are concerned for the
extension Of the commerce between the
two countries.
Not a Great Leader.
Count Okuma Is one of the most dis
tingushed of the older statesmen of
OF powerful leaders who have been
known for 80 long as the Genro, or
elder statesmen.
With the death OF Prince Ito at the
hands OF an assassin a few years ago.
the power and influence of that group
was greatly lessened. 1t has further de-
creased with the increasing age and
infirmity OF the remaining members.
H. -, .,lz A.
influence of these old leaders was in
the selection OF Count Okuma to form
the ministry that has just come trium-
pbantly through the test Of a national
election.
But. although not recognized Gs one
OF the Genro, the ag ed premier has been
In and out of Japanese politics for many
years. and his influence has been felt
In many an important crisis. He has
just given signal evidence OF his virll-
itv by making an exhaustive campaign
throughout the country, despite his sew
enty-seven years-a campaign that re-
suited in the overwhelming defeat OF
the opposition and the return of a sub
stantial government majority In the
next parliament, result far beyond
the expectations OF the most sanguine
supporter of the government when the
campaign opened.
Right Leg Gone.
Years ago. when he was minister OF
foreign affairs at a time OF great politl-
cal excitement in Japan. an assassin
threw a bomb at him and e. shattered
his right leg that amputation was neces-
sary. The old gentleman. however.
makes very efficient use OF " cork sub
stItute. and gets around with an agility
that would be surprising in many
much younger man.
When. at the opening Of the interview
this afternoon. ! congratulated him on
his success in the recent campaign, ne
replied. with a chuckle, that the Japan
ese had learned many things from the
Americans. and that campaign methods
were among the latest OF their ac-
quirements.
After some discussion Of politics and
a compari son of methods in the two
present economic condition of Japan.
and also whether he vas willing to
give our readers the benefit of his views
upon the bearing upon Japan's future
relations with the United States which
the economic situation of this country
will have
Before discussing the economic sit
uation." Count Okuma replied. 1T is
important to consider the causes which
have led to the disturbance of the re-
lations between Japan and the United
states. These are chiefly two-frst. the
immigration question. and. second. the
Manchuran situation.
immigration To Blame.
Practically all of the friction that
has arisen in America has grown out of
one phase or another of the immigra
ton question. That situation is improv-
ing somewhat and Is one that I hope
time will solve satisfactorily to both
countries. 1t is a question which from
its nature requires time for solution.
The United States has had other such
questions with other nations, which have
always been solved by time, and so l
nope for similar solution of this ques-
ton. There are now about 5000 Japa-
nese In the United States--that IS, in
the mainland territory-and as many, or
perhaps few more. in Hawaii.
This is a smaller number than were
In the United States at the time the So
called gentlemen's agreement was con-
cluded. Since that time more Japanese
havo come home from the United States
than have gone there and the number
in your country has been steadily re-
duced.
This reduction has been slow, it is
true, owing to the fact that good many
Japanese in America get married and
the birth OF children tends to keep up
the total number OF Japanese there. But
the influx of Japanese has been praC-
tically stopped and there is a gradual
but steady reduction going on.
Similar Situation.
There is a somewhat similar situa-
ton with regard to Hawaii. Some Japa-
nese have gone from Hawaii to the
mainland and some have returned to Ja-
pan. The number there Is decreasing
rather than increasing. 1t has been said
In the United States that most of the
Japanese in Hawaii were veterans of the
war with Russia, and there has been
loose talk about their having their arms
and uniforms with them.
This talk about equipment is of
course idle. Some of these men un-
doubtedlv are veterans of the war with
Russia, but 1t is not generally true of
them 1t is inevitable that some of
them should have served in that war
"In any large number of Japanese
there are bound to be some veterans
and some men who have served in the
army. That is true because military
service is universal and compulsoly in
Japan.
But the same influences that are
operating to reduce the humber of Jap
anese in the United States are at work
in Hawaii. and l hope that time will
solve this problem also.
Now as to the Manchurian question.