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Show JAPAN REPLEDGES 01 W TO CAUSE Viscount Ishii Reiterates Position and Pays Tribute Trib-ute to America. NEW BEDFORD. Mass., July 4. Here, where American-Japanese friendship began be-gan nearly three-quarters of a century ago. Viscount Ishii, the Japanese ambassador, am-bassador, today reiterated his nation's whole-hearted devotion to the cause of liberty and paid tribute to America's part In the war. The ambassador presented to the neighboring neigh-boring township of Fair Haven a Japanese sword of the fourteenth century, as a mark of appreciation of kindness shown by the township people in 1S50 to a Japanese Japa-nese sailor who lived here eight years after betiii; brought in by a whaler to New Bedford. This boy, Manjiro Naka-hama, Naka-hama, went back to Japan with a story of his experiences and of American ways that paved the way for Commodore Perry, whom he served as interpreter. "The port of New Bedford and Fair Haven is tiic cradle of modern Japanese civilization, and it Is in this sense that the Japanese nation feels grateful over this historical incident," said Viscount lshii. "Let me avail myself of this opportunity oppor-tunity to say a few words with regard to the war. "As to what part Japan, as an ally, has played in the past, is playing actually or will be prepared to play in the future. I j do not feel justified to enter in detail. I Under no circumstances should our en- ! emy be given opportunity to draw j strategic advantages from untimely tlis- j closures. Suffice it to say here that Japan ! is thoroughly prepared to contribute to ' her noble allies in this terrible war In a ' way which, in her judgment, is most efiicient and conducive to the ultimate success of the common cause. "There is one thing, however, to which t I would direct your particular attention, and that is the uni iring error ts of our enemy to estrange alln-d powers one from . the other. The rumor rf a possible j rapprochement - between Germany and Japan is a tine new specimen of German j propaganda. It is a matter of rt-gret i that such a preposterous canard should j find even a momentary credence. 1 am satisfied that, however cleverly started I and spread, the report itself betrays utter ! ignorance of the national character of the j Japanese people, to whom, whatever other J qualities may be wanting, the chivalrous : spirit and deep sense of obligation have j never been lacking.'' |