894.001H61/86
Memorandum by Mr. Eugene H. Dooman of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs of a Conversation With the Counselor of the Japanese Embassy (Yoshizawa)62
Mr. Yoshizawa stated that he assumed that I had seen reports in the press in regard to an incident in Seattle where an individual dressed to represent “the Mikado” walked through the streets [Page 868] pulling a cart in which there was seated an individual dressed as “the Emperor of Ethiopia”. He said that the Embassy had just received a report from the Consul at Seattle, and that he wished to acquaint me with the circumstances of the case, which were as follows:
The Consul was informed a few days ago by a reporter of a local newspaper (apparently the Seattle Post Intelligencer) that a “stunt” similar to that which was actually carried out was under contemplation, and the Consul was asked whether it would be regarded by the Japanese as offensive. The Consul immediately got into touch with members of the Japan Society and of the Chamber of Commerce, and representatives of those two bodies took the matter up with those who were planning to carry out this performance, and a promise was obtained that no burlesque would be made of the Emperor. Nevertheless, the performance was carried out as originally planned, and although it took place at an early hour yesterday morning (at about half-past six or seven o’clock) a large number of people were present due to the publicity that had already been given to the plans. The Japanese Consul immediately sought an interview with the Mayor of Seattle, and it was not until about ten o’clock in the evening that he was able to speak to the Mayor. The Mayor stated that he was too busy to go into the matter at that time, but that he would endeavor to see what he could do.
Mr. Yoshizawa said that the incident had been reported in press despatches to Japan by local Japanese correspondents, and he was somewhat apprehensive in regard to the reaction which such reports would have in Japan. He considered it extremely unfortunate that the incident should have occurred on the west coast, where there are a large number of Japanese among whom there would certainly be some who would be disposed to become excited over the affair. It was his purpose this morning in coming to the Department to inform us in regard to the circumstances of the case, and it was not his intention to register a protest. However, he considered it most unfortunate that incidents of this kind should occur, and he thought it important that responsible persons should give thought to the effects of incidents of this character upon relations between the United States and Japan. However, he felt hopeful that the incident would be satisfactorily adjusted locally.
I said to Mr. Yoshizawa that I felt certain that the incident in Seattle was a result of the publicity that had been given to the Vanity Fair case, and that I concluded from reading press accounts that childish mischief was the motive rather than malice. Mr. Yoshizawa felt, however, that the persons responsible were inspired by a “spirit of maliciousness”. It was his belief that the affair would be so regarded in Japan.
I stated that there was of course no way in which the Department could take any action against the persons involved. I hoped, therefore, [Page 869] that the Embassy here would not give press correspondents any reason to believe that the Embassy had made representations to the Department. I suggested that if the Embassy considered it necessary to say anything at all to press correspondents that it should say that the Embassy had informed the Department of the contents of the report received from the Consul, and that it was hoped that the matter would be settled between the Consul and the Mayor of Seattle. Mr. Yoshizawa agreed that the press should not be encouraged to believe that any protest had been made, as in fact he had not made any protest, but he felt that it would be necessary to inform the Japanese press correspondents in addition to what was suggested by me that the Embassy was carefully watching the situation.
- Memorandum initialed by Stanley K. Hornbeck, Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs; notation added by Mr. Dooman: “Mr. Yoshizawa subsequently (but on the same day) called on Mr. Hornbeck and made substantially the same statement to Mr. Hornbeck.”↩