Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-11
JAPANESE LEADER
HERE FEARS WAR
Yukio 0zaki, Donor of Cherry
Trees to U. S., Working
for Peace.

Yukio Ozaki, oldest member of the
Japanese Parliament, who. when he was
mayor Of Toxic, made the gift of the
first Of Washington's famous Japanese
cherry trees, today. as visitor to Wash
ington, warned that unless quick steps
are taken to iron out the Japanese
Manchurian difficulties war threatens.
In an exclusive interview Mr.. Ozaki
said:
Il am very anxious over the Man
churian conflict. National sentiment
has been stirred up in Japan, and when
under stress the Japanese people are
exceedingly difficult 10 manage. How
far the nations will forget themselves
and their plans for peace may be only
too well indicated by events which may
follow long continuation Of the pres
ent trouble between Japan and China.
I'm 1868 the reformation, or, as 1t IS
sometimes called, the restoration, period
took place in Japan. The Liberals and
the Conservatives gave way to the civil
and military clans, and the latter con-
trolled the Emperor and the entire
country. The military faction is now
stronger than ever, due to the Man.
churian conflict. During my Al years
in the japanese Diet / have seen the
need for international citizenship, Ian
guage and currency If disarmament Is
to be obtained and world peace assured.
My aim has been disarmament for more
than 20 years, and, together with others
who have foreseen the need of a firm
international relationship have been
seeking to discover a method by which
this may be accomplished.
Selected Trees Personally.
II suggest the League of Nations as
feasible medium through which to
gain internationalism," Mr.. Ozaki said.
Nations meeting under friendly condl-
tions such as the League could of1er
would in time gain the international
viewpoint, so essential as a stablllZer
for world problems"
During the 10 years when Mr.. OZaKl
was mayor of Toxic the first shipment
of cherry trees was sent to America. He
personally selected about 1000 young
trees and shipped them as friendly
gift to the American people and an
assurance of the firm bond between the
japanese and Americans. When the
shipment arrived 1t was discovered that
every tree was infected with disease
which required their immediate burning
to protect this country from future
contamination. Since the Russo-Jap-
anese War was being contested at this
time, many people in this country con-
sidered the unfortunate condition of the
trees as a direct menace to the United
States from Japan.
When this condition Of the shipment
was made known to him Mr.. OZakl i'm
mediately set aside large acreage, had
it complete devitalized-that is, de-
stroyed every living thing on and in
it-and planted new trees, this time
from the seeds of the trees, so that no
possible disease could be spread through
use of young shoots, as was formerly
the case. In 1907 this second batch of
cherry trees was shipped to Washing
ton. where they bloom each Spring as
an assurance of the friendly bond be-
tween the japanese and the American
peoples.
shipment of cherry trees" Mr.. OZaki
said, IT remarked to friends that 1t was
an old American custom, this destruc-
ton Of cherry trees, started by George
Washington"
Tells Of Experiences.
Mr.. Ozaki and his two daughters,
Shinaye and Yukika, are stopping at
the La Fayette Hotel, intending to spend
about two weeks in Washington. The
dean of the Japanese Diet told some Of
his experiences in Japanese politics.
While making speech on disarma-
ment in town in Japan Mr.. OZaki
was warned by the chief of police that
an attempt on his life probably would
be made Undaunted. however, by this
danger. which had been visited upon
many of his friends, some of whom were
killed, others wounded, he continued
| with his speech.
Suddenly a rufflan approached him
with club and swung 1T at his head
Mr.. OZaki, who was a great smoker,
| had a cigar In his hand, and in throw
ing up his hand to ward off the blow
knocked hot ashes in the fellows face
| The attack was abandoned.
Again, while having massage in his
rooms after another speech, two hired
attackers gained access to his room.
Spying him lying helpless on the table,
one Of them threw a wooden brazier
! full of hot charcoals at his head. Mr..
| OzaN merely pulled the sheet over his
| head and the contents of the brazier
| fell against the paper walls of the
| japanese house, setting fire to them
| In the confusion the masSeur ran out
! of the room with a brass braZier which
| tie assassins had overlooked while the
defeated attackers made their exit
Mr., Ozaki said he intended to spend some
time in Libraries, seeking information
| for his proposed plans of disarmament.
When these plans are complete he hopes
| to call on Mr.. Hoover at the White
| House. there to lay before him the
| fruits OF his labors to discover a method
! for international peace. Mr.. Ozaki, who
has visited America fve times, plans
to sail for Europe about the first of the
month, returning from there to Japan.