South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-08-01


nature and complications Of the far
eastern situation. With some vague
knowledge OF this problem in mind.
IL was natural that when an invita-
ton reached ne a few weeks ago,
coming from a group Of the most
distinguished men In civil life al
Japan. TO form a small party Of rep
resentative Americans TO visit Japan,
and 70 discuss with frankness some
OF the points OF international fric-
ton between japan and the United
States, that such an invitation would
seem attractive.
At the head Of the Welcome as
ISOLATION which had been formed
for the purpose OF issuing this invl-
tation was Baron Shibusawa. Ny
acquaintance with him had extend
ed over Is years. and I knew him as
a man, not only OF great accom-
pliSnments in the business world OF
Japan, but as one dominated by the
nOblest purposes and the highest
spirit N that respect ] would have
ranked him among the greatest
business men in all the world. His
practical accomplishments easily
gained him that rank on the mate
rial side. but his breadth OF vision,
his freedom from prejudice, and
above all. his high spiritual char
acter which quite transcends any
classification OF Oriental and Occi-
dental, had for many years ranked
him in my mind among the world )
great citizens.
Government Was Friendly.
Associated with him were perhaps
a hundred of the leading men in
rf.s life rThe-n frf.l1r6 pfl
some who had important govern
entail relationships. There were
NJ embers OF the privy council and OF
the House of Peers and others who
had held high positions in the poll
tical life of Japan. The invitation
was clearly stated TO be unofficial,
but I was told that the Japanese
government was entirely sympa-
thetic 10 the proposed conference,
and subsequently, there was nothing
left undone by the officials of the
government and the imperial house
hold 10 remove any doubt as 10 the
sympathetic interest of the govern
inert.
on our side, we were of course
con- pletely unofficial, l chose the
members of the party, all Of whom
were not only without any official
influence, but were not even repre-
sentative Of an organization. We
were merely a party OF individuals,
without political significance, and
without representative character Of
any sort, or responsibility TO any or
gar ization. The American members
Of he party were, with a single eX-
certion, selected without any sug-
gestion from our hosts. One men,
Der of our party, Lewis L. Clarke,
was invited at the request Of Baron
Kondo. The American party con-
sisted Of Hon. Lyman J. Gage, for
mer secretary of the treasury; Mr..
and Mrs. Henry W. Taft, Mr.. and
Mrs. Darwin 2. Kingsley, DR.. and
Mrs. Jacob Gould Schurman, Mr..
and Mrs. Seymour Cromwell Mr..
and Mrs. J. Lionberger Davis, Mr..
and Mrs. Julian Street, George East
man, Mr.. and Mrs. Lewis Clarke,
and Mr. and Mrs. T.. A. Vanderlip.
H. +. Benedict acted as general sec
rotary OF the American group.
Lay Down Program.
The party sailed from Seattle
April 10 and reached Yokohama
April "a. 1t is not my purpose at
the moment to describe the hosDt-
tally and courtesy of our welcome,
nor the many entertainments that
We received from individuals, govern
ment officials of the first rank,
cities. provinces and the imperial
household. ] wish now TO speak Of
the direct work of the conference l.
self, which was a serious and de-
cidedly industrious interchange Of
views occupying six days. The
meeting place of the conference was
the beautiful residence Of the Toxic
Bankers club We met each morn
ing at ESQ promptly. The confer
ence was organized by Clecting
Baron Shibusawa honorary chair
man, and Viscount KanekO and my
self as active Co-presidents. 1t was
conducted in parliamentary form
with American and Japanese secre-
taries, and American and Japanese
stenographcrs. ] hope later to make
public a transcript OF the whole pro-
cccdjngs OF the conference
AT the first session a general pro-
gram was laid down. The subjects
agreed upon for discussion were the
! American immigration question,
Shantung. Korea, Mongolia, Man
| churia and siberia, cooperative in
| vestments in China and elsewhere,
and cable service between the United
/ States and JaDan.
/ had intcrded at this time 10 say
| nothing Of the various welcome So