which might be considered as an application of the Golden Rule; and there is every reason to believe that such application of the Golden Rule in your diplomatic dealings with those countries is being rewarded by the adoption of the same rule in their diplomatic attitude towards you.

Now, let me make a few remarks here about our relations, in order to show you how the Golden Rule has been observed between the two countries, and also why it must be observed.

I have necessarily to begin with the remarkable success of Commodore Perry's mission to Japan some half century ago, to open and introduce into the community of nations the country which was then only terra incognita. Not speaking of the great debt of gratitude Japan owes the United States for her friendly introduction into the international community, it is a noteworthy fact that the American Government has been particularly careful in the selection of its representatives in Japan in order to accomplish what has been left for them to do by Perry's mission.

Townsend Harris, your first Minister to Japan, was especially remarkable as a man of large heart and broad mind. In regard to his achievements in Japan, a certain writer says:

"It was thus that from the very outset, American diplomacy assumed in the eyes of the Japanese a distinctive aspect. They learned to regard the Washington statesmen as their country's well-wishers, whose policy no element of aggressive masterfulness disfigured or would ever disfigure."

The example thus set by Townsend Harris was followed by almost all American representatives who came to Japan thereafter, and it is interesting to look back at what has characterized their action and attitude in all the vicissitudes of life Japan has had to pass through since then. She had, from time to time, to meet complications of all kinds, to face revolutionary movements of her own people, to recognize the political system of the Empire, to remodel the administrative and judicial systems of the country, to introduce a representative form of government, to revise the treaties with the Western powers, and even to fight two great foreign wars.

Distinguished Guests on Centenary Day at the Tomb of Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois (In the group are Ambassadors Bryce and Jusserand, Mr Bryan, Senator Dolliver, and U. S. Judges, Grosscup,

Humphrey, and Landis)

Thomas Lincoln's Home in Illinois, where He Died in 1851 (Built by Thomas Lincoln in 1831 on Goose Nest Prairie. Coles County)

In all these difficult and vexed works and undertakings the American Minister almost always sympathized with Japan, and often took our side, even by isolating himself from among his colleagues. It is through such friendly attitude taken by the American representative, of course supported by your Government, that the American people are deeply endeared to ours, and we want to reciprocate what has been done for us. We have never had an idea for a moment of displeasing your people, much less of waging war against you.

It was for this reason that when displeasure was manifested in this country in regard to Japanese immigration, we readily consented to the adjustment of the question under certain conditions, by limiting the immigration of laborers to the minimum number. As a consequence, emigration has been greatly reduced-notably since last July-and it is found that during the latter half of 1908 the number of Japanese immigrants who returned to Japan from continental United States was larger by twenty-one hundred than that of those who arrived in this country; and the number of those who returned to Japan from the Hawaiian Islands was also fifteen hundred in excess of those which arrived there from Japan.

While it is not certain how long this condition of movement will continue, it is possible that every half year hereafter for some years will witness the decrease of Japanese residents in this country in about the same proportion. It is said in some quarters that our laborers are coming to this country across the Canadian and Mexican borders, but we have already prohibited the immigration of laborers into those countries under certain conditions, and there is no ground whatever for the apprehension of their coming through those frontiers—except a smuggled few, if any.

Again, when there was some apprehension of a misunderstanding arising between us in regard to trademarks, copyrights, and other matters of kindred nature on the Asiatic continent, the two governments at once opened negotiations and concluded conventions with the view of protecting our mutual interests in this regard. We also signed a Treaty for the general arbitration of controversies between the two

countries, and, lastly, as you are undoubtedly aware, we exchanged, a few months ago, a Declaration defining the policy of the two governments in China and the Pacific Ocean, with a view to encouraging the free and peaceful development of the commerce of the two nations, and also to preserve the general peace in that region. Thus we have been using every effort not only to remove all possible causes of misunderstanding and conflict, but to bring about a clear and definite understanding between the two countries in order to cement the closest bond of friendship and good neighborliness. All this, I venture to say, is the result of the application of the Golden Rule in your diplomacy and of the adoption of the same rule in ours, and I most emphatically declare that so long as the Golden Rule is considered the guiding principle of our diplomacy, we shall be enabled to enjoy the benefits of peace and prosperity; and this must be, I dare say, in accordance with the high ideal forever fixed by Lincoln's diplomacy, and which is so energetically applied and propagated by another great President, Mr. Theodore Roosevelt.