The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-08-19
GRATEFUL TO U. 5. DECLARES
 NIPPON BARON
Mayor of Tokio Scouts Re. ports of Ill Feeling Be-
 tween Countries.

Rome, Aug. 19-Before leaving for United States, Baron Yoshiro Saka- tani, president of the Imperial Jap anese Commission to the economic conference 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 a financial point of view the rela- tions of Japan and the United States as developed since the war and as affected by the new Russo-Japanese treaty
 Baron Sakatani is we'll known to many Americans as the financier who strengthened out the ebbing finances
 of Japan after the Russo-Japanese war. He for a time held the position that corresponds in the United States
 to that of secretary of the treasury. He also was Mayor of Tokio. The other members of the commission are s. Tenrumi and K. Yabe, with s. Id- zourka, 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.
 Baron Sakatani, who speaks Eng lish fluently said: "The Imperial com mission was appointed for the purpose of attending the Paris conference and also of visiting those countries in Eu- rope now our allies and of ascertain ing in a definite way how the com merce of Japan can be increased with them, what they can sell us and what we can sell them, especially as relates to products they formerly obtained Ffrom Germany and Austria-Hungary. There is also the question of deliv- ering goods. Japan has three large steamship lines at present and they are building as rapidly as possible more ships, as rates in the Far East have risen out of all reasonable pro- portions since the removal of German ships from this trade. We are will ing to trade heavily with 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 on the length of the war, and that de- pends on the success of the Russian and other powers offensives. But should the war end in a reaSonable time. the people of Europe will have
 been quickened by the war spirit, they will work harder to make up their losses.
 s"As regards the relations between the United States and Japan, it must be remembered always that we look with gratitude upon the United States as the country which sixty years ago
 put us in communication with the outside world, after period of twen- l. nf al n- communication with any other peo- pie than those of our own alisnds ex- cept few rare instances.
 "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. l have 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 rfdi- culous in the extreme if it were not that such reports lead to the main- taining of expensive fleets, to the building of coast defenses. have had some experience in war costs, l think, and I know what such foolish ness means in money.
 "I sincerely believe these reports have a 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 Jealousies that exist among the nations of Europe. with neighboring frontiers.
 "On the other hand, there has sprung up large commerce between the United States and Japan. and it
 has steadily grown since the present war, since we have been unable to buy in European markets many sup
 plies formerly obtained there. With both countries prosperous, our buying has led to 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 seven hundred million dol liars yearly before the war and ex-
 pect 1t fs better now.
 "It has been stated we want the
 Philippine Islands. It is far better for
 Japan to have the United States de- veiop those islands She is able to spend the money needed to do 1t and we are not, and it is a fine thing for us and our trade to have peaceful and prosperous neighbors, no matter who they are. It is one of the economic errors of the present, for instance, to suppose that the losses of Europe are the gains of the United States and Japan because they happen to be sell ing supplies. We are sure to feel those losses in Europe in the end. "Now for the Russian treaty and Japan's attitude towards China. It has been freely stated that the Jap anese are unfair and dishonest in business. I will admit that there is a good deal of truth in this. 50 far na
 concerns us in the past. It must be
 remembered that when the Critcd
 States and European merchants began to trade with us, silver was worth
 about one-fiftecnth as much ns gold among them, whereas, with us, 1t worth one-fouNh sas much, by our coinage act. These merchants took advantage of this situation and ex-
 changed their silver for gold. Our
 people here got the idea that foreign
 CTS were tricky and it may be said of self protection. Latterly, however commercial schools and they have - l~(,,