Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-09
THE JAPANESE MISSION
ny FREDERIC J. HasKIN.

WASHINGTON. October Tho I'm
perial Japanese Commission to tho
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 tho government, knows
exactiy what they came for. Since the
day they landed on American soil they
nave moved in the center Of a search
light of publicity. but, while their
smallest activity has been chronicled.
.heir largest purposes are still matter
for speculation.
The japanese mission Is distin-
Suished body, oven among tho brilliant
groups of warriors and diplomats that
Europe has been sending lib since wo
entered the war. Viscount IshiI Mt its
head, Is one Of the most able and pow
erful 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 hcrc, for apparently
he never had occasion to use them,
but 1t is said that his government gave
him even greater liberty OF action than
England granted to Lord Balfour or
Franco to NJ. Viviani. when these gem
tlemen were our guests some months
ago.
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 wero
ascribed to the visitors. and official an
nouncements OF the results OF their
formal conferences were impatiently
awaited. Those who waited were fat
cd to disappointment. Out Of tho con-
fcrenccs came naught but reports Of
I the formol interchange OF good wishes
and diplomatic courtesies. along with
! considerable gossip and rumor too
| doubtfully grounded to merit consid-
Grafton. II the Japanese mission had
any diplomatic purpose other than the
| bearing OF assurances of good will,
| 1t was never nnde public.
Curiosity IL Good Nnturcd.
The curiosity about tho plans of the
! Japanese visitors has been thoroughly
good-natured. more genuine feeling
OF friendship exists between tho two
countries than has been noticeable for
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 eY-
lists. Even those who think that the
sole purpose of the mission was to re-
new officially the Japanese assurances
OF friendship and esteem for the United
States, are wondering why Just this oc-
| casion was chosen for sending a dis
tinguishcd mission over here for the
| purpose.
The mission may well have had other
objects All sorts Of purposes are
ascribed to II. on evidence OF varying
| crediblity. This diplomatic gossip can
be taken for what 1t Is worth The
| official activities OF the mission have
| been confined to formal visits to the
| White House, tho tomb of Washing
! ton. the Senate and the House of Rem
resentatives. all OF which occasions
| were marked by expressions OF friend
ship and unity OF purpose happily
! phrascd.
II is said that one Of the principal
| objects was to como to an agreement
under which Japan would handle all
Pacific shipping, releasing British and
American boats for the Atlantic trade.
Japan has long made n strong bid for
| dominance in Pacific shipping. and -
/ per cent of II is under her flag to-day.
; She is building up tho business, and
the Importance of the Japanese port OF
| Kobe at the expense, IL is said. of I'll.
international port OF Shanghai. Her
| shipping has prospered greatly since
! the beginning of the war, even TO the
| point where It has been possible to
. withdraw government subsidies from
some Of the lines. An arrangement by
, which she would take over Pacific
! shipping might be regarded rs inu-
/ tually advantageous. in view OF the
crying need for tonnage in the Atlantic
| II this was indeed one of the objects
| OF tho 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
Matter of Steel Exports.
Another point which may well 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 ea-
| port Of steel plates was stopped by
| tho Export Board, Japanese sh!p-build-
| ing was hard hit. Recently n working
! arrangement has becn reported, but
| 1t is also noteworthy that Japan has
| contracted to build numerous addition
al ships for Britain. which. so far as
the waging of this war is concerned. is
| much the same as building ships for
| the United States.
Tho 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 re-
| CARDS Japan. and tho friendly under
| standing which has always been desir-
| ed by this country has become some
! thing to be MORE than ever desired by
! both parties from purely selfish
| standpoint. Two events have gone far
! toward changing the face Of the whole
/ Far Eastern situation. the declaration
OF war by the United States, and the
| declaration of war by China.
! Japan has always needed the friend
| - #