The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1917-07-13
Even Opposition Endorses
Viscount Ishii, Its
Head
CHINESE QUESTION
TO BE CONSIDERED
Felt That Relations With U.
S. Will Be More Firm
Iy Cemented

IRy Associated Press TO The Banner1
TOXIC, Jane 15 CBy Mail to New
York; General satisfaction is ex-
pressed in Japan at the appointment of
Viscount Kkujiro Ishii, formerly min
lister for foreign affairs, as special en-
voy to the United States in connection
with the present war. The appoint
ment was made personally by Emper-
or YoshihitO, by virtue Of special or
dinance by which Viscount Ishi! is des-
ignated as temporary ambassador ex-
traOrdnary. The service of installa-
ton was attended by Premier Count
Terauchi Prince Takatsukasa, grand
chamberlain, and others.
II was expected that the commission
would leave for the United States
July on the steamer Shingo Maru
and spend some three months in that
country, visiting Washington and 9TH
er cities. The delegates who accom-
pany Viscount lshii were selected
with special reference to their fitness.
They include Vice.Admiral Isamu TAX
CShita, who was formerly naval at
tache at Washington and who was de-
tailed as captain of the Japanese cruis
er Izumo when that warship partici-
pated in the festival at San Francisco
some years ago; Major-General Shot
chi Sugano, who has been attached TO
the general staff since 1915 and who
has been military atache at London;
Matsuzo Nagai of the foreign Office,
who has been embassy secretary at
Washington and consul-general at New
York and San francisco; Commander
Shiokyo Ando; Major Seiji Tanikawa
and Tadanao Imai Of the consular ser
vice.
The selection of Viscount Ishii as
chief envoy is welcomed by the press
even of the opposition, because he
was foreign minister of the cabinet of
Marquis Okuma which was supported
by the Constitutional of opposition
party. The Terauch ministry Is
praised, therefore, for its broadmind-
edness in choosing diplomat of
rather anti-government leaning. The
selection was made, however, regard
less of party consideration and was
based solely upon Vscount lshiHs fit
ness and capacity in advancing q uni
fled Japanese policy in the present
world crisis
Marquis Okuma personally voiced
his satisfaction and expressed the
opinion that the commission would
contribute much towards cementine
the cordial relations between Japan
and the United States and assist in
clearing away any misunderstanding
entertained by the United States about
Japan's policy toward China.
The primary object of the commits
sion is one Of courtesy in conveying
the appreciation of the Japanese gov
ernment at the action of the United
States In joining the ranks of the en-
tente allies of which Japan Is a mem
ber but IN a broad way the commits
sion Will discuss questions of co-oper-
alton between the United States and
Japan in the future conduct of the
war, Great Britain, France, Russia
and Italy having dispatched commits.
sions to the United States, Japan feels
that it is fitting for her to follow in
their footsteps.
There Is likely to be an exchange of
views on the Far Eastern questions
generally and even on the situation in
Russia which Is source of consider
able anxiety. II is not likely that the
Chinese question, which continues
troublesome, viii be considered and
will seize the opportunity to further
"A project OF cooperative understand.
ing with reference to political affairs
in the far east.
Niscount Ishii, who speaks both
English and French easily. has had n
long career as diplomat lie was
secretary at Paris and at Peking and
was among the ranks of the besieged
during the Boxer trouble in China.
After having been recalled to the for,
elgn office as chief of the section OF
telegraphs and then as director of the
bureau of commercial affairs, he was
dispatched to San Francisco and Van
couver in 1907 to investigate the anti
Japanese movement there. In 1908 he
was appointed yice-minister for for