The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-08
AMERICAN WOMAN GET
FIRST REAL INTERVIEW
WITH PREMIER KAT01
Japanese Executive Shows
Willingness to Cooperate
With America

Japan stands ready to participate
in Il world economic conference, IT
such a council is called to discuss
International rehabilitation. Japan
VIII continue to cooperate with
America and England on the reduc-
ton of ornaments, as outlined in the
fiVc-power conference held at Wash
ington. even should France and Italy
withhold final ratification. Japan
would take part. on invitation, if a
new conference were called to con-
slider further disarmament, although
the utility of such a conference would
be doubtful
So says Premier Tomosaburo Kato
in the following interview-one OF
the most significant utterances from
the Far East in months. Baron kato
directed Japan's course in the Wash
ington armament conference.
The interview, released by the
was secured by Grace Thompson Sc
ton, prominent as a writer and leader
nr the League of American ZEN
Women. Mrs. Seton, who was twice
presented with medals by France
during the war. is the wife OF Ernest
Thompson Seton, who wrote Wlld
Animals / Have Known" She mas
Just returned from Japan.
Her interview is said to be the first
ever granted by the Japanese pre-
mier to a woman of any nationality.
by GRACE THOMPsOY SETON
Copyright, 1923. United States, and Can
ada Great Britain and South America
by News Sert Inc
Newspaper Alliance to The AEe-Herald.
All rights reserved)
The Japanese premier Is man OF
heart as well as of brain. His eyes
twinkled with kindly humor when he
told me that he had only one daugh-
ter. Not large family for Japan"
And then: But 1 have three grand
children. the Oldest boy. He is
hat high" and the hand was held at
our feet from the floor.
They are here now. I will pre-
sent my, grandson" And the slim.
silent-footed guardian of Japan.s
sreatness went to the door himself
to give instructions that the Oldest
grandchild be brought forthwith.
This unusual break in the routine OF
official callers was arranged for with
the same ease and lack of fuss that
characterizes all the processes, men
tai and physical. of Japans premier.
He has the strength and purpose OF
great river. whose current runs
deep sd true to it's goal
He saw Active Service
Tomosaburo <ato was born on
washington's birthday 1859. in
TIE southern province of Hiroshima,
and Was early apprenticed to the
navy, where he rose to an honorable
career He was commander-in-ch chief
of the First Fleet on the declaration
of war against Germany in 1914, and
served as. Admiral rogo's chief OF
staff at the historic battle of Tsus-
hima. In recognition of his SER
vices, he was created a peer during
the war. and among many decora-
tons on his admiraf's uniform is
the grand Gordon OF the Rising Sun.
When 1 first met him. the pre-
miers attention had been taken up
by the return of the Third Fleet
court luncheon and a dinner in the
evening, with the interval devoted
to official reports. Enough to keep
even an unusual man from plning
with ennui.
lie Speaks with His Eyes.
He has a long thin face with keen
but kindly eyes. These often ex-
press the thoughts which his firm
set lips do not utter. Like most men
Of few words, when he ,,a deli Neth
himself of dictum 1t has poth
punch and power
NV appointment with his excel
lency was set for 1850 p. M al the
Navy department. during that time
IN the year when the persfmmons
are portrayed IN the hdheiioho "
banner which hangs in the drawing
room alcove, or takemOno, of every
Japanese home. 1t was but snort
fikisha ride from the new Imperial
hotel through the Hibiya park,
where the chrysanthemum show was
making fiotous color on the so1t,
springlike afternoon. An Indian
summer haze hung over Tokyo with
II charm like Japan's women, gra-
cious and gentle.
NV interpreter named the wooden
buildings on the, right of the
1iiagun-cho (navy Department. as
civil and districts courts, while
across the wide boulevard were the
ereen.gardened wooden buildings
the Gaimu-cho.
The APPOINTMENT Shifts.
A rebuff met us at the door.
small boy in the spotted kimono and
plated skirt of the school boy TOOK
our visiting cards and soon returned
with the statement that the premier
was not visible. Further negotla-
lions brought the secretary or the
minister of the navy. very polite
nan. who announced voluminously,
while the usual set courtesy TOOK
place, that the appointment had peeh
shifted to the premier,s officiai res
idence, whittier We quickly repaired;
At the end of double row OF
bowirg attendants. stood MT. am
AGA. English secretary to the pre-
mier u,
admiral Kato is expecting YOU