“Can’t you see to what we are drifting, Perry?” Takishima replied excitedly. “Only a year ago our two countries were friendly. Nothing but what was good was being said by one of the other. My Emperor’s subjects in America were everywhere treated kindly, and here in Japan we bowed respectfully and affectionately wherever an American appeared. Now all is different. Each looks upon the other with suspicion.” “I think you are wrong, Taki,” Phil exclaimed, his pulse beating fast at Takishima’s words. “I have not been in America for over a year, but I am sure no such feeling as you describe is felt there. Our labor unions have fought against your countrymen coming to America because they will work for much less money than will our own people, and they will not join the unions, but that is hardly enough reason for making Japan distrust America.” “A year ago only it started,” Takishima said, scarcely heeding Phil’s denial. “First there were only vague hints, but gradually it has grown until to-day every move my country makes is misunderstood and condemned in your great newspapers, which are the eyes, ears and brains of your countrymen. We are doing our duty by China and Korea. We have been awakened from our long sleep of inaction, and it is our duty to awaken our blood brothers. Japan stands in the same light in the Orient with China and Korea as your great country with the republics of South America.” “In the newspapers?” Phil exclaimed smiling. “Why, Taki, you can’t take everything that’s said by our newspapers seriously. You know we have entire freedom of the press. Our newspapers can say anything. You Japanese are entirely too sensitive.” Takishima smiled grimly. “Do you think it over-sensitive to be hurt at hearing that the legislature of one of your states considered a measure to exclude Japanese from the state?” Phil’s face was very grave. As Takishima had stated, it was only too true. “But the measure was lost,” Phil hastened to say. “Yes, but not before much discussion,” Takishima returned, “which showed us that our countrymen were not as welcome in America as yours are in Japan.” “That is purely commercial,” Phil declared. “We have a tariff to exclude goods made in other countries; a laborer is as much an article for purchase as anything else. We cannot require him to pay duty upon himself in order that his hire will be the same as that paid to our own countrymen; so the labor unions wished to prevent the Japanese laborer from landing in America. It is only a question of money, nothing more.” “We are old friends, Perry,” Takishima said soberly, drawing nearer to his classmate and lowering his voice. “I am in a position where I hear much that is not intended for young ears. Our statesmen have given a life-study to questions of the Orient. Have yours given these far-reaching, perplexing questions the attention they deserve?”