Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-09-02
Representative to Meeting OF
Entente Allies Seeks to E1-
plain misunderstanding !

II =
ROME, Italy.-Before leaving for
the United States. Baron Yoshiro Sa
katani, president of the Imperial Jap
anese Commission TO the economic
conferences OF the Entente Powers
held at Paris recently, explained to
a correspondent OF the Associated
Press the general objects of the Jap
anese commission and discussed. from
financial point of view the rela.
tons of japan and the United States
as developed since the war and as
affected by the new Russo-Japanese
treaty. lat
Baron Sakatani is well known to
many Americans as the hnancier who
strengthened out the ebhing finances
OF Japan after the Russo-Japanese
war He, for time held the position
that correspondents in the United
States To that of secretary Of the the
treasury He also was mayor Of To
klo. The other members OF the COM
mission are 8. Tenrumi and r. Yabe,
with s. Idzonrka acting as secretary.
The commission reached Europe by
way of the Siberian railway. crossing
from Petrograd to London, thence TO
Paris and finally TO Rome.
Purpose Conference Told. IT,.
Baron sakatani. who speaks Eng.
lish flnently. said: The Imperial
Commission was appointed Cor the
purpose OF attending the Paris con.
ference and also OF visiting those
countries in Europe now our allies
and Of ascertaining In definite way
how the commerce Of Japan can be
increased with them, what they can
sell us and what we can sell them, es-
peciRlly as relates TO products they
formerly obtained from Germany and
Alistria-TIungary There is also the
question of delivering goods. Japan
has three large steamship lines at
present and they are building as rap
idly as possible more ships, as rates
in the Far East have risen out of all
reasonable proportions since the re-.
moval of German ships from this
trade. We are willing to trade heay-
ilytwith Europe, since In my opinion
Europe will not be so long making up
its present war losses as might be
thought. OF course the amount OF
these losses will depend upon the
length of the war, and that depends
on the success of the Russian and
other powers offensives But should
the war end In reasonable time the
people of Europe win have been
quickened by the war spirit, they will
work harder to make up their losses
.'As regards the relations between
the United States and Japan, II must
be remembered always that we look
with gratitude upon the United States
as the country which so years ago put
us In communication with the outside
world, after period Of $500 years Of
almost accommodation with any
other people than those of our own
Islands. except a few rare instances
Relatins With America. a..
In recent years there have been
worldwide reports that these two
countries had conflicting national in
terests which would eventually bring
them to war First the United States
thought we might attack her, accord
ing to these reports. Now the reports
have been shifted the other way. At
home our people are made to believe
that the United States is preparing
to attack US. It is most amusing.
hare many American friends and of
course we discuss these things. All
of us know that there are all reasons
for both nations to be friendly. The
whole body of this talk would be r.
diculous in the extreme If it were not
that such reports lead to the main.
tanning Of expensive fleets and to the
building of coast defenses. have had
some experience in war costs, ! think,
and ! know what such foolishness
means in money. II. L.:
Il sincerely believe these reports
have German origin, since Germany
has never wished us well and would
like to see US In difficulties with the
United States. but the United States
and Japan are too far away from
each other to have the same Jealous.
les that exist among the nations of
Europe, with neighboring frontiers.
On the other hand, there has
sprung up O large commerce between
the United States and Japan. and it
has steadily grown since the present
war, since we have been unable to
bny in European markets many sup
plies formerly obtained there. With
both countries prosperous. our buying
has led 10 return buying in silks and
many other articles on the part of the
United States. Our own foreign com.
merce. export and import. reached an
average Of 100000, 900 yearly before
the war. and expect 1t is better now
Does Not Want Philippines o..
PhiliDine Islands. 1t is far better for
Japan to have the United States de-
yelop those islands. She is able to
spend the money needed to do it and
We are not. and it is fine thing for
us and our trade to have peaceful and
PROSPEROUS neighbors. no matter who