JAPANESE OFFICER INTERVIEWED.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2046, 5 April 1907, Page 4

JAPANESE OFFICER INTERVIEWED.

NO ASIATIC INVASION. Speaking to an Auckland Star representative a very intelligent officer of one of the Japanese warships ridiculed the suggestion of an Asiatic invasion of tho Australasian colonies at somo future period. .“There is no justification for such a statement,” said the officer, “it is purely a bogey held up by unscrupulous and unthinking people, who desire to see the present allianco between Japan anil Great Britain tom asunder. The renewal of the agreement was to secure Eastern Asia or India against any action of a European Power or Powers, that would threaten the interests of either of the two nations whose interests were so largely bound up in those parts of the globe. Our alliance is a guarantee against outside aggression, and it is in the interests of humanity at large. As far as Japan is concerned she seeks no far-away possessions. Her Empire is quite big enough for lier own purpose. The country is being rapidly developed by the aid of capital, it is rich in mineral ores, is admirably adapted in many parts for agricultural pursuits, and could easily support a population twice, if not three times, as large as the present one. We are content with our own territory,” added the officer, “and do not desire to filcli that of other nations.” He scoffed at the suggestion that Japan had similar designs on Chinese teiritory. She had neither ambitions nor intentions, he said, regarding that great Empire. The officer preferred not to discuss the treatment of Japanese school children in San Francisco, except to express the opinion that the good offices of President Roosevelt would assist in smoothing over the trouble. The Japanese felt assured that the bulk of the more intelligent and reasoning Americans would deprecate any indignity which might he put upon his countrymen. He did not think for a moment that tho 'Californian sclioool question would lead to serious complication. Japan was hopeful it would not, but if such a contingency did arise, the Mikado’s advisers would ho found to bo prepared for the struggle. He protested strongly against' the message of Governor Pardeo, of California, to the State Legislature, in which it was said that it was useless to expect that people with such different racial characteristics and civilisation as tho Japanese could even mix with the American people and become good Aniorican citizens. The experience with naturalised Japanese in other countries was a. complete answer to such a calumny.

The visitor appeared to bo well posted up in the political customs prevailing in this country, and enthused over some of the democratic measures which had found their way to the statute of late years. It was no surprise to tho pressman to learn that tho reputation of the late Mr. Seddon had extended oven to the Mikado’s dominions. “On more than one occasion,” said the visitor, “I have heard your great Premier’s name discussed by one of my relations, who occupies a very prominent position in our political world. Though the Japanese cruisers now in port go by the modest name of training ships, they are well equipped for war. Ten years ago these vessels were the flower of the Imperial Japanese Navy, and each played a strong part in crushing China’s sea power. Some of the Chinese vessels were heavily armored, and thus were able 'to stand bombardment for a time. The vessels of this trio carried a twelve inch gun apiece, and these weapons were the only cannon in the- Japanese fleet capable of boring holes in the enemy’s ironclads. These guns are still on board, pointing wickedly over the bows. When these three cruisers were first acquired away back in the nineties, their owners were so proud of them that they named them after the three prettiest views in Japan, so that more formidable successors have to be content with less pretentious titles.