The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-08-25

In spite Of alt the demands daily
made upon his timr, Goto is an omniv-
orous reader. He reads new books as
we'll as old. He is fond of the Chinese
but does not neglect modern
books on physiology CIR biology.
Baron 0oto's eventual career may
be briefly told. He was\ born in 1857.
Graduating from local medical
school. he was attached to a public
hospital Of which he eventually be-
came the director. In 1888 he became
assistant director OF the bureau OF
sanitation in the Department Of Homo
Affairs. Then he went to Germany.
where he won the degree Of doctor Of
medicine from the University Of
Berlin.
His Omcial Career.
Returning home in 1892 he was
promoted to the dictatorship of tho
sanitation bureau. In the year fol-
lowing he found himself imprisoned
because Of his alleged assistance rem
dered to a man who Goto thought was
grossly wronged in a notorious casa
Of scandal, narratives of which proved
to be best sellers at the time. Goto
was tried and acquitted. for his SYM
pathy with the man sprang purely
from his disinterested chivalrous
spirit.
With his appointment in 1897 to
the post Of civil administrator Of For
mosa his opportunity for demonstrate
ing his real abilities arrived. In 1908
he was made a baron and was given q
seat In the House Of Peers. In the
same year he resigned, his post as
civil administrator Of Formosa and
assumed his duties as the first presi-
dent Of the then newly organized
South Manchuria Railway Company.
In Manchuria he proved as success
full as in Formosa. In the Katsura
Cabinet, organized in 1908. Goto was
Minister OF Communications, and filled
that post until 1912. With the APP
pearance oktk, present Terauchi Min
istry he acc<.ted the portfolio OF
Home Minister, which he occupied un-
til he was transferred to the post OF
Foreign Minister.
For the present our immediate in
terest about this new Minister of For
eign Affairs lies In the policy he IL
likely to follow with special reference
to Russia and Siberia. He has often
been pronounced pro-German, perhaps
for no other reason than that he had
spent a few years in Germany and
has entertained admiration for some
of the achievements of the Germans.
He Is known to be opposed to the idea
Of Siberian Intervention. Is this be-
cause he Is kindly inclined toward
Germany? Let Baron Goto himself
explain his stand:
Japan's Siberian Policy.
Like the rest Of the world, Japan
longs for peace. but does not and will
not shrink from war where the cause
Is Just or where her honor or her ma
tional safety Is menaced. japan has
done. and will continue to do. what
comes within her power to do as one
of the Allies.
LAS to Russia. the situation there
has afforded much comfort to the en-
envy. but above all an opportunity to
increase the activity of a malevolent
propaganda Such a propaganda Ii
now going on in Siberia. more partic-
ulAr1y with view 10 eStTdHBefltnt
between Japan and Russia. as well
as between Japan and America For
instance. the landing of a few British
and Japanese marines at Vladivostok
has been magnified out OF all propor-
ton. Japan has not for a moment
made light of the spread OF inimical
influence In eastern Siberia. both as
a menace to Japan and China but also
as against the Allies. Neither has
Japan lost sight OF the fact that Rus
sia Is a power recognized by the AL
lies as endeavoring to reorganize a
machine temporarily out OF order.
"It Is the part OF Japan to give en-
enlargement. assistance and support
to the work OF reorganization. We
trust that the sound common sense
Of the Russian people will not be mis-
led by perverse reports circulated to
keep the two neighboring nations
| apart"
This is a section of the official
| statement which Baron Goto issued to
the press upon his acceptance of the
new post.