Chapter LXXXVII: Peace Assurances From Japan

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ASSURANCE FROM VISCOUNT KENTARO KANEKO, THE EMINENT
STATESMAN OF JAPAN, THAT BELLIGERENT
REPORTS ARE GROUNDLESS.

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FABRICATIONS, HE SAYS, OF SENSATIONAL NEWSPAPERS.

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NO APPREHENSION IN EMPIRE OF ANY DISRUPTION OF FRIENDSHIP EXISTING
BETWEEN THE TWO NATIONS.

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Declaring that all talk of trouble between this country and Japan is the outgrowth of “pernicious fabrication on the part of sensational newspapers,” Viscount Kentaro Kaneko, who was special Ambassador to the United States from Japan during the Russian-Japanese war, has written a reply to a letter addressed him by me, in which the latter, under date of December 5th, last, expressed the hope that no difficulties might arise between the two countries which could not be readily and amicably adjusted.

Viscount Kaneko, whose elevation to his present title and whose appointment as adviser to the Emperor on all things American, came close upon the heels of the close of the struggle with Russia, besides is one of the present eminent Statesmen of the Empire. During General Grant’s first term, he was a member of a commission sent here to study American finance. Prince Ito was the head of this commission and I acted as friendly adviser, at the request of General Grant, then President. This commission afterwards went to London, Paris, and Berlin, and made a similar investigation of the financial systems of each of those nations, and on their return home, via the Suez Canal, they made a full report of their mission and in it strongly recommended their government to adopt the American system, which was promptly done, and I was appointed by the Japanese Government special agent to aid in carrying out their new financial system. I awarded the contract for the engraving to the Continental Bank Note Co., of New York, on their successful competitive bid, and after all the work of establishing their new financial system was accomplished I received a flattering commendation from the Secretary of the Japanese Treasury for my services in the matter and a very handsome pair of Japanese silver vases as a souvenir accompanied same.

My letter, which was sent when reports of impending trouble with Japan were numerous, is as follows:

December 5, 1907.

MY DEAR VISCOUNT:

It gives me infinite pleasure to congratulate you on the
bestowal of your present very great title by the Emperor,
knowing as I do that it is so richly deserved. No one in this
country can bear stronger testimony of your untiring vigilance
and masterly efforts in the work you had on hand in this country
during your war with Russia, and the marvelous success which
crowned your exertions. No one of your nation who has visited
this country made more or stronger friends than you did amongst
our people, and we are all hoping that the time will come when
you will return as Ambassador. It would indeed be an appointment
for the benefit of both nations, and would do more than anything
I can think of to strengthen the long-existing friendly
relations between the two peoples. There are occasional rumors
of our relations being strained, but they originate, I am quite
sure, in either Russia or Germany, owing to a desire in some
quarters to disrupt the friendship. You can rely upon one fact,
however, that if there is ever a severance, which God forbid, it
will not emanate from this side.

Faithfully yours, HENRY CLEWS.

VISCOUNT KANEKO’S ANSWER.

MY DEAR MR. CLEWS:

Your kind letter of December 5th reached me a few days ago and I
am infinitely obliged to you for your hearty congratulation on
my recent advancement to a higher rank for a modest service
which I was able to render my Emperor and country during the
late war. In performing the duties which were entrusted to me
during my sojourn in your country, what little I was able to
accomplish was due to the kind encouragement and assistance
which the friends in America so unsparingly gave me. and in this
connection I assure you that you share the largest part of it.

You mentioned about the so-called strained relations between
America and Japan. It is really a pernicious fabrication of
sensational newspapers, and I am glad that you seem to believe
it to be so too. So far as I am aware there is nothing of a
serious nature diplomatically pending between the two countries.
It is absolutely groundless, therefore, even to imagine, as some
alarmists would have us believe, that there may be a possible
disruption of the friendship which has been cemented so firmly
ever since this country was introduced by America to the family
of civilized nations in the world. I assure you that every one
of our people on this side of the Pacific is keenly alive to the
gratitude we owe you, and I think it most remarkable that nobody
in this empire seems to entertain, even to the slightest degree,
any apprehension of a breach of the friendship. Such a thing
never comes into our head. Again thanking you for your courtesy,

Sincerely yours,

(Signed) KENTARO KANEKO.

TOKYO, JAPAN, January 21, 1908.

I have kept up a correspondence with Prince Ito and other Japanese Statesmen ever since I was first associated with them thirty-seven years ago. The letter from the Viscount spoke for itself and showed the utter nonsense of sensational reports.

I also wrote to Marquis Ito about the war rumors as follows:

December 5, 1907.

MY DEAR MARQUIS:

Notwithstanding the frequent rumors that have of late sprung up,
both in this country and Europe, to the effect that the
long-existing friendly relations between Japan and America are
becoming strained, I think I am in a position to know that there
is not the slightest foundation therefor, so far as we are
concerned. There has been, however, a vicious motive in their
circulation, and it is quite dear to my mind that they have had
their origin in, and are disseminated by people in Russia and
Germany, the wish being father to the thought. For some reason
or other they seem particularly anxious that the pleasant
relations existing between our two countries should be weakened,
and finally severed, hence the strenuous efforts in that
direction. I feel quite sure, however, that there is not the
slightest possibility of such a contingency.

To show how false these rumors are, as well as to cement the
friendship which now exists between our countries (which you and
I know to be real and lasting) and to put an end to the jingo
talk of the press both here and in Japan, would it not be an
excellent idea for the Emperor to formally invite the Admiral
and Commanders of our fleet, which is to cruise in the Pacific
waters, to meet him at some convenient seaport in your country?
I know that the American people would appreciate such an honor
and that the greeting they would receive from your countrymen
would banish all thought of a disruption of our pleasant
relations. The Yankees of the West respect and admire the
Yankees of the East, and every effort should be made to increase
the harmony which now prevails.

Hoping, my dear Prince, that you are enjoying good health and
happiness, I remain

Faithfully yours,

HENRY CLEWS.

MARQUIS ITO, TOKYO, JAPAN.

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FLEET TO VISIT JAPAN.

INVITATION ACCEPTED.

NEW PROOF OF FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO NATIONS.

_Official Statement from Washington, March 20._

The American battleship fleet is to visit Japan. The desire of the Emperor to play host to the “Big Sixteen” was expressed to Secretary Root yesterday by Baron Takahira, the Japanese Ambassador. The invitation, which was in the most cordial terms, was considered by President Roosevelt and the Cabinet to-day. Secretary Root was directed to accept the invitation, and the acceptance was communicated to Baron Takahira this afternoon.

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