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that be deemed of any importance whatever, Tokio government, he declared, is quite conespecially as being an element of the least weight tented that the United States should own in the relations of two great and wholly friendly these islands. "We hope you will keep nations? I say to you simply that in Japan we have paid no attention to it. It is altogether too them. If, however, they were to come into trivial. It counts for nothing. It is nothing. the possession of other powers, then Japan The General added that undoubtedly in would consider their acquisition." the future many more Japanese children would come to the United States for instruction, probably by way of Seattle. In an interview with the representative of the New York Times General Kuroki declared that the Japanese people now want peace, only peace, peace with the whole world, and peace for years to come. His message to the American people was:

The Japanese people love peace. They fought for peace. My nation wants peace in which to develop the opportunities that are hers. We have no other desire. The profession which I have the misfortune to follow is noble only because war is sometimes necessary to establish conditions in which peace may be maintained and in which the arts of peace may flourish.

As to the Japanese purpose at The Hague, he declared that the instructions given to the delegates "look in the direction of disarmament." Regarding the condition of affairs in China and the relations between that country and Japan, the General said, with emphasis:

A Franco-
Japanese

Treaty.

Two events in her foreign politics have been of great significance and importance to the Japanese people during the past few weeks. These were the understanding with France and the negotiations with Turkey, as yet only partially successful, for the establishment of a Japanese embassy at Constantinople. The Franco-Japanese understanding consists of a treaty according to which France recognizes the rights of Japan in Korea and her special interests in Manchuria, and Japan, on her side, promises not to interfere with French possessions in Siam and Indo-China. This agreement assures tranquillity to the French Asiatic possessions, and, taken in conjunction with the Anglo-Japanese alliance, the RussoJapanese peace of Portsmouth, and the pending Anglo-Russian treaty (complemented by the Anglo-French entente cordiale), will be an irresistible combination for the maintenance of peace in the Far East. While these alliances and agreements do not actively involve either Germany or the United States, it is certain that there can be nothing but sympathy in both these countries for such combinations which make for world peace.

The most important fact about China at this moment is that it is internally in a strife of civil chaos. Manchuria and Korea are overrun by brigands, and it is the case generally throughout China. Now, it is of first importance that the Chinese Government should be able to maintain order in the territory over which it holds In negotiating for the establishA Japanese authority. For that purpose it is organizing an Ambassador ment of a Japanese embassy at the army. Japanese officers are taking a prominent in Turkey? Turkish capital the island empire part in that organization. We hope an efficient not only desires to establish itself on an equalChinese army may be created, but the purpose ity with other European nations represented at of it is wholly pacific. It is for internal police service. Japan believes that the internal police the Sublime Porte, but also to have a proper of China will make for the peace of the world. representation at a court whose relations with In this interest in the training of Chinese sol- Russia are always particularly important and diers Japan has only the welfare of the world at delicate. The Sultan, however, has so far heart. She wants to see order established, and then to see China enter into a high plane in the opposed the Japanese idea, ostensibly because sisterhood of nations. When she masters the of the opposition of Russia and Germany, evil and disorderly forces within her, you will see China learn the lessons of modern civiliza. tion. Japan learned them first. Is it not now her duty to help China learn them, too?

Baron Ozawa, for his part, declared that the Japanese people are looking earnestly for an alliance with the United States, because, despite any and all reports to the contrary, the Japanese people really regard the American people as their friends. As to the Phil

but in reality because the countries represented at the Turkish capital by ambassadors have a right to the provisions of the historic "Capitulations," by which Turkey gives foreign powers certain supervision over her internal affairs, including schools, missions, consular courts, etc. Within recent years the efforts of the Turkish Government have been to restrict and ultimately abolish these privileges, as contrary to the dignity of its inde

[graphic]

Copyright. 1907, by Raymond E. Donaldson, Washington.

General Kuroki GENERAL BARON KUROKI, WITH HIS (Reading from left to right, in the lower row, STAFF AND THEIR HOSTS, IN WASHINGTON. General MacArthur, General Wood, and Captain Tanaka. are: Col. M. Ota; Colonel Chamberlin; Lieut.- Gen. Y. In the second row, Kigoshi, General Baron Kuroki, Surgeon T. Tanura, Capt. Marquis J. Saigo, Major T. Yoshida, Lieut.-Col. M. Nagayama, and also reading from left to right, are: Capt. G. Kobayashi, Maj. Gen. M. Umezwa.

that be deemed of any importance whatever, Tokio government, he declared, is quite conespecially as being an element of the least weight tented that the United States should own in the relations of two great and wholly friendly these islands. "We hope you will keep .

nations? I say to you simply that in Japan we have paid no attention to it. It is altogether too trivial. It counts for nothing. It is nothing.

The General added that undoubtedly in the future many more Japanese children would come to the United States for instruction, probably by way of Seattle. In an interview with the representative of the New York Times General Kuroki declared that the Japanese people now want peace, only peace, peace with the whole world, and peace for years to come. His message to the American people was:

The Japanese people love peace. They fought for peace. My nation wants peace in which to develop the opportunities that are hers. We have no other desire. The profession which I have the misfortune to follow is noble only because war is sometimes necessary to establish conditions in which peace may be maintained and in which the arts of peace may flourish.

As to the Japanese purpose at The Hague, he declared that the instructions given to the delegates "look in the direction of disarmament." Regarding the condition of affairs in China and the relations between that country and Japan, the General said, with emphasis:

The most important fact about China at this moment is that it is internally in a strife of civil chaos. Manchuria and Korea are overrun by brigands, and it is the case generally throughout China. Now, it is of first importance that the Chinese Government should be able to maintain order in the territory over which it holds authority. For that purpose it is organizing an army. Japanese officers are taking a prominent part in that organization. We hope an efficient Chinese army may be created, but the purpose of it is wholly pacific. It is for internal police service. Japan believes that the internal police of China will make for the peace of the world. In this interest in the training of Chinese soldiers Japan has only the welfare of the world at heart. She wants to see order established, and then to see China enter into a high plane in the sisterhood of nations. When she masters the evil and disorderly forces within her, you will see China learn the lessons of modern civiliza. tion. Japan learned them first. Is it not now her duty to help China learn them, too?

Baron Ozawa, for his part, declared that the Japanese people are looking earnestly for an alliance with the United States, because, despite any and all reports to the contrary, the Japanese people really regard the American people as their friends. As to the Phil

them. If, however, they were to come into the possession of other powers, then Japan. would consider their acquisition."

A FrancoJapanese

Two events in her foreign politics have been of great significance Treaty. and importance to the Japanese people during the past few weeks. These were the understanding with France and the negotiations with Turkey, as yet only partially successful, for the establishment of a Japanese embassy at Constantinople. The Franco-Japanese understanding consists of a treaty according to which France recognizes the rights of Japan in Korea and her special interests in Manchuria, and Japan, on her side, promises not to interfere with French possessions in Siam and Indo-China. This agreement assures tranquillity to the French Asiatic possessions, and, taken in conjunction with the Anglo-Japanese alliance, the RussoJapanese peace of Portsmouth, and the pending Anglo-Russian treaty (complemented by the Anglo-French entente cordiale), will be an irresistible combination for the maintenance of peace in the Far East. While these alliances and agreements do not actively involve either Germany or the United States, it is certain that there can be nothing but sympathy in both these countries for such combinations which make for world peace.

A Japanese

In negotiating for the establishAmbassador ment of a Japanese embassy at the in Turkey? Turkish capital the island empire not only desires to establish itself on an equality with other European nations represented at the Sublime Porte, but also to have a proper representation at a court whose relations with Russia are always particularly important and delicate. The Sultan, however, has so far opposed the Japanese idea, ostensibly because of the opposition of Russia and Germany, but in reality because the countries represented at the Turkish capital by ambassadors have a right to the provisions of the historic

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Capitulations," by which Turkey gives foreign powers certain supervision over her internal affairs, including schools, missions, consular courts, etc. Within recent years the efforts of the Turkish Government have been to restrict and ultimately abolish these privileges, as contrary to the dignity of its inde

(From April 20 to May 19, 1907.)

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT-AMERICAN.

April 20.-Over seventy-five indictments against alleged violators of the anti-trust laws are brought at Toledo, Ohio.

April 22.-The Buffalo, N. Y., Chamber of Commerce passes resolutions favoring the amendment of the Public Utilities bill and call

ABRAHAM RUEF, OF SAN FRANCISCO.

(Indicted for bribery in franchise cases.)

ing for a convention of representatives of similar organizations to consider the bill.

April 23.-The Rhode Island Legislature adjourns without electing a successor to United

States Senator Wetmore.

April 26-Frederick I. Allen, United States Commissioner of Patents, resigns.

April 30.-The names of several well-known Pennsylvania politicians are involved in the capitol investigation at Harrisburg.

May 1-Governor Hughes, of New York, sends a message to the Legislature advising the reapportionment of the State; he also signs the bill for an investigation of the National Guard.

May 3-Governor Hughes, in a speech at Elmira, N. Y., appeals to public opinion on the Public Utilities bill and other issues.

May 4-Indictments are returned against Chicago's former chief of police, commissioner of public works, city purchasing agent, police attorney, and others, on charges of corruption in the police department.

May 5-Pennsylvania officials decide to bring both civil and criminal suits against men connected with the capitol scandal.

May 7--J. Barry Mahool (Dem.) is elected Mayor of Baltimore by a majority of 4000 over Clay Timanus (Rep.) the present incumbent... Irvine L. Lenrott (Rep.) withdraws from the contest for the senatorial nomination in Wisconsin.

May 8.-Chairman Brown, of the Ohio Republican State Central Committee, and George B. Cox, former Republican leader in Cincinnati, dcclare for Taft for President and Foraker for Senator.

May 9-President Roosevelt makes public a report by James B. Reynolds, recommending certain changes in the government of the District of Columbia, including the substitution of a governor for the present three commissioners.

May 10.-It is announced in Washington that Secretary Taft and his friends will neither aid nor oppose Senator Foraker in his contest for reelection.

May 11-The Republican State Committee of New York unanimously indorses the reform measures of Governor Hughes.

May 12-Senator Foraker issues a statement in Washington, saying that so far as he is concerned there has been no compromise in Ohio politics and that he will not be bound by any action of any unauthorized body.... The Illinois Legislature passes a new charter for the city of Chicago.

May 13.-The United States Supreme Court dismisses the suit brought by Kansas against Colorado to restrain the latter State from diverting the waters of the Arkansas River for irrigation purposes.

May 14-The New York State Senate passes over Mayor McClellan's veto the bill designed to equalize the salaries of men and women teachers in New York City.

May 15.-The New York Assembly unanimously passes the Public Utilities bill; it also passes the bill for equal pay of New York men and women teachers.

May 16.-Republican members of the Wisconsin Legislature nominate Isaac Stephenson to succeed John C. Spooner in the United States Senate.

May 17-Chairman Brown, of the Ohio Republican State Central Committee, declares that the sentiment of the State is overwhelmingly for Secretary Taft.

[graphic]
[graphic]

May 19. A report of the Commissioner of Corporations, charging the Standard Oil Company with the abuse of transportation facilities, is made public at Washington.

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT-FOREIGN.

April 20.-Elections to the lower house of the Cortes take place throughout Spain.

April 23.-Governor Magoon, at Havana, signs a decree granting amnesty to the members of the armed forces of Cuba found guilty of committing offenses in the recent rebellion.... The Czar.receives President Golovin of the House and expresses confidence that the Duma and the ministry will be able to co-operate....The Imperial Conference in London adopts a resolution for the creation of a general staff for Great Britain and her colonies.

April 24-Winston Spencer Churchill, UnderSecretary for the Colonies, is made a privy councillor for Great Britain.

April 25.-The German treasury bond issue of $75,000,000 is subscribed forty-five times over.

April 27-The session of the Canadian Parliament comes to a close.

May 2.-The German Reichstag passes the first reading of the Kiel Canal bill, which provides for beginning the work of enlargement....A new Belgian cabinet is formed, with M. De Troos, Minister of the Interior, as Premier.

May 3-The German Reichstag passes by a

[graphic][merged small]

(Successor to Sir Alexander Swettenham as Gov

SIR ELDON GORST.

(Lord Cromer's successor in Egypt.)

large majority the bill establishing a colonial ministry....A. J. Balfour, the Unionist leader of England, in a speech before members of the Primrose League, strongly favors protection under the name of preference.

May 4-The vice-president of the Persian Parliament threatens a popular rising if the promises of constitutional government are not fulfilled.

May 6.-The government of India threatens to withdraw educational aid in Bengal unless the political agitation in the university and schools

ceases.

May 7-Augustine Birrell, Chief Secretary for Ireland, introduces the new Home Rule bill in the British House of Commons; the measure is passed on first reading after the cloture rule has been applied by a vote of 416 to 121.

May 8.-Governor Magoon signs a decree providing for Cuban census statistics.

May 11-The Indian Government empowers authorities to prohibit meetings of the natives. ...The French budget for 1908 shows heavy reductions in the estimates.

May 13.-The Constitutional Democrats in the Russian Duma pass a resolution for the trial of the Governor-General of Moscow for illegal action in having caused the death of four men.

May 14-The British Imperial Conference

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