TAKAHASHI SCOUTS IDEA OF CLASH WITH JAPAN

Japanese Merchant Tells Commercial Club Danger of Trouble Between Two Nations Exists Only With Jingoes.

BIG CROWD LISTENS TO AFTER-DINNER TALKS

Thanksgiving Spirit Prevails at November Banquet of Organization That Calls Out 150 Optimists.

One hundred and fifty Seattle optimists gathered at the Seattle Commercial Club last evening where the annual November dinner of the club was served. The Thanksgiving spirit prevailed, though the affair was held in advance of the day set aside by the proclamation of the state's executive.

Several prominent speakers were on the program of after dinner speakers, J.W. Maxwell, cashier of the Seattle National Bank and president of the club, acting as toastmaster. One of the most interesting talks was that of C.T. Takahashi, president of the Oriental Trading Company, who discussed the question of the possibility of war with Japan, expressing the belief that there was not the remotest chance for trouble between the two nations, basing his opinions on the sentiment that he found in his native country, which he recently visited.

He expressed his regrets that there should be so much publicity given to the idea of probable war with Japan, asserting that there was no just cause for the existence of such an idea.

George H. Stone of the Stone, Fisher Co., Dr. Adna B. Leonard, of the First Methodist Church; Prof. Frank B. Cooper, superintendent of city schools; George W. Spangler, president of the Credit Men's Association and Judge R. B. Albertson, of the superior court, were other speakers and all expressed their ideas of the things for which the people of Seattle should be thankful.