Evening star., 1934-02-28
Prince TokugaWa.

Prince TokugaWa.
Washington is privileged today to
greet an eminent son Of Japan and
q valued friend of America-Prince
Iyesato Tokugawa, former president
OF the House of Peers at Toxic The
prince has unique claim on the
interest Of this country. Not only is
he the direct descendant Of the
ancient baronial clan which, as the
Shogunate, ruled Japan for nearly
three hundred years prior to the
restoration Of the imperial dynasty,
but 1t was a member Of his family,
a Tokukawa Shogun, who, exactly
eighty years ago-in February, 1854
negotiated with Commodore Perry
Of the United States Navy the treaty
Of amity and commerce which opened
Japan to the modern world.
Prince Tokukawa is no stranger
to our people or to the National Cap
ital. He was one Of Japans delegates
to the Washington Arms Confer
ence Of 1922. For more than ten
years he has been president Of the
America-Japan Society Of Toxic, and
in that capacity an indefatiguable
advocate Of friendship with the
United States As national chairman
Of the Japanese Red Cross he has
had frequent and intimate contact
with officials Of the American Red
Cross. He knows America and Amer
leans as do few Of his compatriots.
He comes to us this Winter ideally
equipped for the mission of good
will which brings him once again
TO our shores.
1t Is at a period when revived ru-
mor Of future Japanese-American
conflict MI the air in both countries
that Prince Tokugawa finds himself
on our soil. In public statements pre-
ceding his arrival in Washington he
has emphasized Japan's anxiety for
unalloyed continuance Of friendly re-
lations with the United States. He
rightly points out how "overwhelm-
1ngly Complementary" are the inter-
ests Of the two countries in the do
main OF commerce. He denies that
there are any real points Of rivalry
between them. Japan" he says, de
sires peace with, and the friendship
Of. all powers, but especially the
United States, with which 1t has the
closest economic connections and
strong sentimental ties"
Prince Tokugawa will have oppor-
tunity in Washington to discuss jap
anese American relations with Presi-
dent Roosevelt and other Americans
Of high authority. They are sure to
reflect the wish and purpose of the
Government and people Of the United
States to maintain with the Govern
ment and people Of Japan that COR
dial and unbroken friendship which
has ever united them. The prince will
ind his own amicabls sentiments
fully reciprocated here.
Certain aggressive trends in pres
ert-day Japanese policy have alien
atsd throughout the world some OF
the high repute which Nippon has
built up for herself In the course OF
the years. Prince Tokugawa will no
doubt be at pains to enlighten
American public opinion with respect
to the Japanese program in China.
rs exempified by the establishment
Of Manchukuo in the guise of an in
dependent empire" He will have
opportunity to elucidate the reasons
for Japanese insistence upon naval
equality with the United States and
Great Britain.
Whatever arguments Prince Toku-
eawa adduces in support Of Japan's
political and naval policies, he may
be assured that they will command at
oil American hands that considera-
ton which a time-tried friend like
himself is entitled to expect.
Washington bids her distinguished
guest from Nippon the heartiest of
welcomes and boundless success in his
efforts 10 remove international mis-
understanding.