Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-10-05

wv rial Japanese commission to the United
States is the dark horse among visiting
foreign missions The stay of the Japanese Is prac-
tically over, and yet no one, except perhaps the
innermost circles of the government, knows eA-
actly what they came for. Since the day tney
landed American soil they have moved IN the
center of searchlght of publicity but while thelr
smallest activity has been chronicled their lars-
est purposes are still matter for speculation.
The japanese mission is a distinguished body,
even among the brilliant groups of warriors ana
diplomats that Europe has been sending us since
entered the Vscount Ishii, at its head'
is of the most able and powerful men IN
Japan, and a statesman of world reputation. WIN
just what powers he was armed by the Imperial
Government before leaving Japan is not deflnlteIy
known here, for apparently he never had ,occa-
sion to them, but it is said that his govern
ment gave him even greater liberty OF action ona an
England granted to Lord Balfour or France TO NJ.
Viviani, when these gentlemen were our suestS
some months ago.
The activities of the Japanese mission 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 OFFICIAL announce
ments of the results Of their formal conferences
impatiently awaited. Those who waited were
fated to disappointment Out OF the conferences
came naught but reports of the formal interchange
of the good wishes and diplomatic courtesles along
with considerable gossip and rumor too doubtruAy
grounded to merit consideration. If the Japanese
mission had any diplomatic purpose other than
the bearing of assurances of good WILL 1t was never
made public.
The curiosity about the plans of the Japanese
visitors has been thoroughly good natured
more genuine feeling Of friendship exists between
the two countries than has been notceaDle LOT
some time-a barking back to the days before the
immigration question and the Chinese problem cast
a passing shadow over our relations 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 wondering why just this occasion was CHOSEN
for sending a distinguished mission over here for
the purpose.
The mission may we'll have had other objects.
All sorts of purposes ascribed to it, on evidence
of varying credibility This diplomatic gossip can
be taken for what it is worth. The official act1v
tiles of the mission have been confined to formal
visits to the White House, the tomb of Washing
ton the senate and the house OF representatives,
all of which occasions were marked by express
sions of friendship and unity Of purpose happily
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 Brit
ish and American boats for the Atlantic trade
Japan has long made a strong bid Tor dominance
in Pacific shipping and 40 per cent OF II Is un-
der 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 lnternauonai
mort of Shanghai. Her shipping has prospered
greatly since the beginning of the war, even 10
point where it has been possible to withdraw
government subsidies from some OF the lines AN
arrangement by which she would take over Pa
cifc shipping might be regarded as mutually ao-
vantageous in view Of the crying need for ton
mage in the Atlantic. If this was indeed one or
the objects of the Japanese mission apparently no
nroeress was made. Vscount lshif conferred with
chairman Hurley of the shipping board, but no
announcement of the transfer of American ship
ming from the Pacific to the Atlantic has been
forthcoming.
Another point which may well have been the
subject for is the matter of exports or
steel japan has been building numerous ships in