Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-15
BARON KATO EXPLAINS
APAN'S POSITION IN WAR
Warns People Not to Expect Too
Much in Way of Com
pensation.
Correspondence of the Associated Press.

Correspondence Of the Associated Press
KfOTO. Japan. May s.-what many
Japanese people regard as n important
political address was delivered yester-
day by Baron Takaaki Kato, former
minister of foreign affairs. and leader
Of the government Doshikai party. at
the inaugural meeting of the Kioto
branch of his party. Abiding to
JApan's position in the present war
Hafon Kato declared that in his opin-
lon the Anglo-Japanese alliance must
r9main the main pillar of the nations
diplomacy.
The speaker said that Japan would
gain q reasonable compensation in re-
turn for the part she has played in the
war, but he wished to emphasize that
Japans position was different from that
Of her allies in Europe, inasmuch as
Japan's activities have been restricted
to the orient. The statesman warned
his compatriots that should they ex-
pest too much from the peace confer
Pays Respects to Critics.
Turning his attention to the recent
attacks on the Anglo-Japanese aIli-
anes. Baron Kato expressed his regrets
been made. It was certain, he said,
that they were confined. to politicians
and lay academicians What the
scholars voiced was the more danger
ouA, he declared. because although these
men may not know much about prac-
teal diplomacy. the masses Of the peo-
pie are likely to be misled by their
scholastic attachments. and believe they
are right.
The ex-minister added:
1T would be most regrettable II our
people are led to any erroneous con-
caption of the Anglo-Japanese alliance.
for l regard IT as the main pillar of
our diplomacy"
the critics based their objections to the
alliance on the attitude of British Of
hcials and merchants in China, who
were alleged to be hindering Japanese
undertakings in that country, and on
their belief that the formation of an
alliance with Russia would render the
pact with Great Britain useless. II
was true. he thought. that some Brit
ally slandered Japan and her people,
but he was convinced that these Eng
lishmen did not represent Great
Britain.
Talks Of Japanese-Russian Pact.
As for the alliance with Russia. Bar
on Kato declared II the height Of fony
to imagine that IL could be formed and
maintained Independently Of the An
gio-Japanese alliance. He. for one,
would welcome an alliance with Rus
STA, he said. but he was convinced that
10 could be made only on the strength
Of the pact with Great Britain and that
IL must be supplementary to that al
lance.
When the peace conference is held
the Anglo-Japanese alliance must be
the basis OF our policy, and Japan must.
OF course, cooperate with Russia and
France" Baron kato concluded If
Japan goes astray from this policy her
position will become very difficult II
Il most important that our people
should recognize the delicate diplomat
ic relationship and endeavor to smooth
the way that lies before US for genera
items TO come"
Because Of Baron Kato's influence
among the men who direct the Japan
Of today his public utterances are re-
garded by many of his compatriots as
more or less representing offcial
opinion.