Evening journal., 1918-07-30

Neutrality-suspicious. that lodged no is
sue however delicate however vital.
And l can say with certainty thft II
Baron Elichi Shlbusawa. Japan's G Id
Old Man and any American his equal
could be appointed committee OF two
10 direct all mutual affairs and rela-
tions OF the two countries Japan and
America would have a glorious common
destiny and would be OF such benefit 70
each other as would rejoice Commo-
dore Perry's soul.
The baron paused in his talk and
our quick eager, leap-frogging CONVEX
sstion halted a minute while his SER
want again put down before us the in
evitsble cup Of tea which happily and
appropriately interrupt, each hour or
so, every Japanese conference, business
or private Baron Shibusawa leaned
back In his chair. The chair, all
chairs, the sofas. the tables were sheet
ed in white, for the hot weather was 1t
hand. The room was large, the ceiling
high, the furniture simple. the carpet,
walls and hangings tasteful. The rich
wood about the fireplace was beautifully
carved. might have been sitting in
the reception room Of house on Com
monwealth avenue. Boston, or Euclid
avenue Cleveland draped In cretonne
for the summer-save for the cups OF
tea in their distinctive Japanese elon-
gated saucers 10 was in the Barons Of
fees a Tokyo mansion downtown i've
miles from his residence.
Although the baron Is short man-
-. I hn a q
rather brief stature for Amerlca-he
was impressive as he sat there at ease
snd with the compOsure OF final, utter
simplicity. The upper part OF his body
and iis head gave the impression OF
force and magnitude. without being
ponderous. Seventy-elghtG He looked
hardly sixty.
There was Just a trace Of gray about
his thick black hair. His cheeks were
firm and healthy, his mouth and chin
strong. his eyes clear. These older men
Of Japan grow old moderately and seem
TO me to bear their years better than
we Of 1.-THE States"
should America, Baron Shibusawa.
1 resumed as the door closed silently
upon the serving man and we lifted our
cups-"should America now permit un-
restricted immigration Of japanese, and
at once extend citizenship to the Jap
anese already within her borders
It was the sorest point, the TOUGHEST
point in American-Japanese relations.
Baron Shibusawas S face showed no emo
tlon. He leaned forward slowly and
spoke calmly and with his usual simple
dignity.
"Thst is for America to decide he
said through an Interpreter. Japan
does not insist upon an Immediate re-
taxation Of immigration restrictions.
II is true. Japan would like to see them
removed as soon as practicable. 1t can
not be denied that refusal Of American
citizenship TO Japanese Immigrants IS
serious discrimination. Japan does not
insist upon naturalization. But wise
Japanese believe it will be to the ad-
vantage OF the United States to remove
this offensive barrier Of her own ac-
cord. The progress Of events will take
care Of these questions When the
American born sons Of japanese immi-
grant fathers have automatically be-
come American citizens by attaining
the age Of q, and when these young
men have shown their immense capac-
ity and loyalty as genuine Americans,
the question Of citizenship Will take
care Of itself"
"There have been these and other