The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-10-29
tContinued From Page Five)

whole They present to the outside world
united front. This is as it ought to
be in every nation. 1t gives a solidarity
of power that is invincible.
1t may, therefore, be seen why Japan
has taken leading position amongst the
nations of the world, contrasting in a
striking manner with her place 90 years
ago. Rice Is the principal, though not
the only, crop grown in Japan. AS the
islands are mountainous and not fertile,
it is probable at least so per cent is
not cultivated. The fish industry is large
and profitable. In farming, mining, man.
ufacturing, merchandising, and with re-
spect to her schools. hospitals, courts,
: prisons, temples, means Of transporta-
ton, military training and strength and,
generally, in the possession of modern
equipment and administration of public
and private affairs, Japan excels, and al
ready may be considered model govern
ment in many particulars.
Japan has grown and is growing with
her strength. She has. with Corea, For
mosa and other island territory recently
sacquired, 259,6n square miles and pop
ulation of 1900, 900, as compared with
100000 in 1872. Besides all this, she is
now increasing in wealth and in the
near future will, / believe, be considered
rich, unless her present policy shall be
abandoned. Her financiers, her business
men and her statemen deservedly rank
high. They are farseeing and they are
conservative. The wonderful natural
beauties and artistic development and
display, 1 cannot take time to describe.
am disposed just now to discuss briefly
before you questions which. as business
man, I was free to speak about in my
intercourse with Japanese acquaintance.
Because I was open and sincere and
especially as / was an American, indie
If OIo1 70
consider questions of diplomacy, I met
Willing and attentive listeners and cor
dial greetings.
For sometime there have been sugges-
TONS in public and in private, in the
United" States and in Japan as well, that
for numerous reasons not necessary to
recall, there was possibility, if not like
lhood, of active hostility between these
two countries. Whenever either govern
ment has decided to provide an addi-
tional warship someone in the other coun-
try has been prompt in charging that this
meant preparation for war between these
xwo nations.
[ said repeatedly. on my own RESPONSE
bility. making no claim except that I be-
lieved l could accurately represent public
sentiment, that large majority of the
people of the United States did not de-
sire, but would deplore and stubbornly
oppose, war with Japan, except in self
defense, and that they were of the opin-
ion there is not now nor will be any cause
for serious trouble or disagreement; that
there need be no conflict of opinion which
could not be finally and satisfactorily set
tied by mutual negotiation and consid-
Gation. I also expressed the belief that
our governmental administration is and
would be inclined toward this most de-
sirable exercise of authority. To all this
I am sure this large company of repre-
sentative business men will heartily SUBJ
scribe. would repeat and emphasize the
sentiments thus expressed.
And now, gentlemen I am here to say
to you in words just as emphatic and in
a belief no less absolute that the lead
ing and controlling men OF Japan are
equally anxious to have a continuance,
permanently, of the peaceable and friend
1y relations now existing between these
two countries. That there may be ex-
ssceptions may go without saying; it would
be usual and need excite no surprise nor
fear if such is the fact Still have no
positive information on which to base this
conjecture. ! had good opportunity to
ascertain the real situation, though my
visit to Japan was comparatively short.
The most prominent and influential men
in Japan are outspoken in their profess
sion of friendship for the United States
and her citizens. They refer with senti-
Aments of gratitude to Commodore Perry s
sSisit in 1858, to them, apparently hostile
at that time. They now consider this
action as friendly and as the beginning
of the growth of a great and prosperous
nation. They speak of the benefit japan
has received and is receiving from the
United States, educationally and other
wise. They claim to have received the