The daily Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1916-1917, 1917-05-20
KURUSU SAYS JAPAN
IS AMERICAS FRIEND
No Cause for Hostile Sus-
piciOn, Consul Declares
at Banquet.
PRESS SHOULD HELP
Nations Must Draw Sword
Only to Save People,
His Belief.


relationships existing between tn,
United States and Japan was the
chief topic of the address of Consu
SaburO Kurusu of Chicago, the of
fetal representative of Japan at the
'Made-in-Japan' Banquet Friday
night. Consul Kurusu's address fol
lows:
Once in old feudal days of Japan
two Samurai happened to be fellow
passengers on ferry boat which was
going across a lake. One of them
was young and naughty and the 9TH
er was old and modest. 1t was a
beautiful spring day, pleasantly fair
and warm, and the boat was smoothly
gliding on the surface of the water
which was as calm as a mirror. The
trip became somewhat tiresome, and
the passengers started to break its
monotony by chatting about odds
and ends.
Our young warrior was soon drawn
into the talking circle and imme-
diately began to boast of many won
derful merits he accomplished on the
various battlefields, with naughty air
and military gesticulations. The old
Samurai was quietly listening to it;
but, being gradually overcome by the
lazy spring breeze, he fell into a
peaceful doze.
Speaker Tells Of Unusual "Duel."
Our quixotic hero could hardly
stand that his brilliant talk was re-
ceived in such a manner. He took
it for an unwarranted insult upon a
Samurais honor and Indignantly
challenged the offender to a duel. The
old warrior was embarrassed, and
exhausted every means of apology
without any avail. Finally, when he
thought it useless to apologize any
further, he gently told his young
friend:
We'll, Sir, so long as you insist,
think it my duty to accept. But, if
we fight on this boat, it will be a
very dangerous nuisance to the 9TH
cr passengers. Let me suggest that
we go and fight on the island there"
The younger one agreed and the
boat started thither. The challenger
was so excited and impatient that
when the boat drew near to the shore
of the island. he Immediately jumped
over and made himself ready for the
fight. The old gentleman who was
sitting without any sign of emotion,
stood up very gracefully, but instead
of going to the shore he took the boat
mans oar and quickly began to row
the boat away from the island
You, coward" the young Samurai
exclaimed Come back and fight like
a man. What are you carrying your
swords for?"
"SwOrds to Save People,"
The old warrior looked back at him
with smile and said:
my friend, l do not draw my sword
until it is absolutely necessary. My
swords are not to kill people, but to
save them"
Democracy is a worldwide tend
ency. Every state affair, whether ma
tiOnal or international, now finds the
most powerful hand of guidance in
public opinion. You, journalists, who
handle the most effective organ of
public information. are in COM
position in leading and di-
recting the public opinion. By con-
slant exercise of your influence, you
can transform public sentiment to-
ward any country from the utmost
to the bitterest enmity.
You can easily bring the peoples
mind to such a state that the slight
cot Will
bring about the most delicate situa-
ton. My friends, the pen is mightier
than the sword. Let me most sim
cerely hope that the pen of American
and Japanese journalists be always |
used not to kill people, but to save
them.
"America Is Our Real Friend"
The Japanese-American question is
a popular current topic in American |
So much criticism has |
appeared in various journals about
what Japan has done and what Japan
is going to do. l am not so narrow
minded as to think that the criticism !
means unfriendliness Frank criti-
cism can only be expected from a
real friend. Any nation which turns
a deaf ear to fair criticism can never |
be great. We are always ready and |
willing to hear your criticism of ia
pan, because We know that America |
is our real friend and because we !
want to make Japop grootor Tho