The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-05
THE JAPANESE MISSION
THE TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL
INFORMATIOH BUREAU
By Frederic }. Haskin. Director.
Washington, ID. C.

washington. D. C., oct. 1.-THE I'm
periaI japanese commission to the
United states is the dark horse among
visiting foreign missions. The stay of
the Japanese is practically over, and
yet no one, except perhaps the inner
most circles of the government, knows
exactly what they came for. Since the
day they landed on American soil they
have moved in the center of search
light of publicity, but while their
smallest activity has been chronicled'
their largest purposes are still matter
for speculation.
The japanese mission is a diStin-
guished body, even among the bril-
liant groups of warriors and diplomats
that Europe has been sending US
since we entered the war. Viscount
Ishii at its head is one of the most
able and powerful men in Japan, and
a statesman of world reputation. With
just what powers he was armed by the
imperial government before leaving
japan is not definitely known here, for
apparently he never had occasion to
use them. but it is said that his gov
eminent gave him even greater liberty
of action than England granted to
Lord Balfour or France to NJ. Vivian,
when these gentlemen were our
guests some months ago.
Activities of Japanese Mission.
The activities of the Japanese mis-
sion have been eagerly observed from
day to day by those in touch with the
details of the situation in the Far
East. All sorts of plans and purposes
were ascribed to the visitors and Of
fetal announcements of the results of
their formal conferences were i'm
patiently awaited. Those who waited
were fated to disappointment. Out of
the conferences came naught but re-
ports of the formal interchange of
good wishes and diplomatic courtes-
les, along with considerable gossip and
rumor too doubtfully grounded
to merit consideration. If the Japan
csc mission had any diplomatic pur-
pose other than the bearing of assur-
ances of good will, it was never made
public.
The curiosity about the plans of the
Japanese visitors has been thoroly
good natured. A more genuine feel
ing of friendship exists between the
two countries than has been noticea-
BILE for some time-a barking back to
the days before the immigration
question and the Chinese problem
cast a passing shadow over our rela-
tons with Japan None the less the
curiosity still exists Even those who
think that the sole purpose of the
mission was to renew officially the
Japanese assurances of friendship and
esteem for the United States, are won
dering why this occasion was choS-
en- for sending a distinguished mis-
sion over here for the purpose.
Japanese Friendly Feelings.
The mission may well have had
other objects All sorts of purposes
are ascribed to it, on evidence of vary
ing credibility This diplomatic goS-
sip can be taken for what it is worth.
The official activities of the mission
have been confined to formal visits to
the White House, the tomb of Wash
ington, the Senate and the House of
I n
ions were marked by expressions of
friendship and unity of purpose hap
PLY phraSed.
1t is said that one of the principal
objects was to come to an agreement
under which Japan would handle all
Pacific shipping, releasing British and
American boats for the Atlantic trade.
Japan has long made a strong bid for
dominance in Pacific shipping, and 40
per cent of it is under her flag today
She is building up the business and
the importance of the, Japanese port
of Kobe at the expense, it is said, of
the international port of Shanghai.
Her shipping has prospered greatly
since the beginning of the war, even
to the point where it has been pos
sible to withdraw government sub
sides from some of the lines An ar
rangement by which she would take
over Pacific shipping might be re-
garded as mutually advantageous in
the Atlantic. If this was indeed one
of the objects of the Japanese mission,
apparently no progress was made
ViScount IShii conferred with Chair
man Hurley of the shipping board, but
no announcement of the transfer of
| American shipping from the Pacific to
the Atlantic has been forthcoming.
Another point which may we'll have
| been the subject for conference is the
matter of exports of steel. Japan has
| been building numerous ships in the
| last two years, largely by the use of
American steel plates When the ex-
| port of steel plates was stopped by
| the export board, japanese shipbuild-
ing was hard hit. Recently a working
| arrangement has been reported, but it
| Is also noteworthy that Japan has con-
tracted to build numerous additional
ships for Britain, which, so far as the
| Wag1ng of this war is concerned is
much the same as building ships for
| the United States.
/ Friendly Understanding With Japan
The whole international situation
| has so swung on its axis in the last
few months that the United States
| finds herself in a strong position as
regards Japan, and the friendly un-
| derstanding which has always been
| desired by this country has become
| something to be more than ever de-
! sired by both parties from a purely
! selfish standpoint Two events have
! gone far toward changing the face
I of the whole far eastern situation
I the declaration of war by the United
States, and the declaration of war by
| China.
Japan has always needed the friend
| ship of the United States in an
| economic way, but she has been able
, to get along without it, so long as
she could count on enjoying the
/ economic friendship of the great Euro
! Dean nations So long as Japa1 wa =
belligerent and the United States a
neutral, even tho Japan's part in the
great war was no very active one
| she remained closer to England
/ France and Russia, than did the
United States Today the United
States is the great power to which
England, France and Russia look for
| money. shins fond and man In sig