New-York tribune., 1921-11-20

standing among the people Of the other
country. That, think, is a great pity.
zone thing Japan did which was,
think, intelligent. This was to send
to the United States viscount 1shii.
"Viscount Ishii's visit to this coun-
try cleared the American mind, think,
suspicious which had been implanted
for the time being at any rate, of the
there by clever German misrepresen-
tations, and returning to Japan he
made the fact Of real American
friendship clear to the Japanese.
"No sooner were these unfortunate
matters cleared away, however, than
other influences sought to profit by
producing a breach Of THAI strong
friendship which should exist between
America and Japan.
"Rumors which I am certain were
not altogether unfounded became prev
alent that China, or, at least, some
Chinese, had begun to SOW the seeds
Of more misunderstanding in the
minds Of both your people and my
own.
II have been unable to pick up con-
crete facts which would establish this
before a court, but I DO not hesitate
to voice my firm belief that what
have here intimated is the fact.
"Just now the mischief has been
done, by whom particularly 1 do not
attempt to say. But surely it has been
attempted and to some extent accom-
plished.
"It is the way Of gentlemen not to
express doubts when the facts which
would justify them cannot be laid hold
Of definitely, and endeayor to apply
this rule in thinking Of this matter.
"But, although 1 have no detailed
facts, am quite certain of my prem
ises. A Chinese influence of some sort
has been at work to harm relation
ships between America and Japan"
"Does Japan entertain any political
ambition with regard to the Philippine
Islands?" asked frankly.
absolutely no." said the viscount
very promptly. Japan watches the de-
velopment Of those rich islands under
the extraordinary genius and energy
Of the Americans with interest, not
envy"
We were interrupted st this MON ent
by the entrance of a messenger who
brought to the viscount an envelope
strangely shaped to an Americans eyes
cylindrical and very long. From it
the viscount took 3 roll upon which
lengthy message had been painted in
topographic characters.
Reading it rapidly, after he had
bowed with great courtesy to the mes
senger who had brought it, he bowed
to him again, made some reply, and
with more bows than l counted the
messenger backed from the room. The
small, courteous by-play was q bit of
old Japan transplanted to the room of
a prosaic metropolitan American hotel.
"And China ?" inquired when it was
over.
Toward China Japan feels much as
she does toward the philippines,r the
viscount answered. eve have been
rather pleased than otherwise by the
interest which America has shown in
China, for where American influence is
felt there lies progressiveness-a
China needs that above all other
things.
Japan Has Very Deep
Interests in China
"Japan's interests in China, of course,
are very deep. Since the two peoples
have existed they have lived side by
side in close geographical proximity.
There are many travellers, of course,
from each country within the others
boundaries, and, naturally, there are
business overlappings.
Therefore it is not unreasonable to
suppose that American businessmen, 60
ing to China, should feel that japan is
trying to get special privileges and even
making efforts along the lines Of colon
ization. This, however, Is by no means
actually the case.
III Cnlna Japan wishes that which
her business enterprise may properly
entitle her to have and nothing more
being, meantime, willing that business
men from other countries should find
there just what she may fnd-in other
words, that they shall have entirely
equal opportunities.
Japan wishes to see China prosper
and progress. Nations, like individuals,
benefit through having prosperous and
progressive neighbors.
"Japan halls with approval every ef-
fort of American business men TO help
China to develop. Japan seeks no espe-
cial privileges.
"That Chinese trade which japan
wins through utterly legitimate bust
ness efforts she will strive to keep, of
course; that is the way of business.
Beyond that there is nothing.
Differences of opinion with regard to
the Chinese situation have arisen chief
~, l am sure, through misunderstand-
ing of the motives and procedures of
Japan-again assisted by those infa-
ences which would be glad TO see A>Aer-
lea and Japan Handicapped 0y TACK
Of understanding"
Japanese in California;