JAPAN AND AMERICA

Evening Star, Issue 18649, 2 June 1924, Page 8

JAPAN AND AMERICA

h MOMENTOUS-NOTE ON IMMIGRATION OUESTIOfI. Press i-.vOC.ial ion---% Telegraph—Copyright. WASHINGTON, May 51. {.Received Juno 2, at .1.60 p.m.) Japan’s solemn protest against tho exclusion danse in tho Immigration Law was made public, without any comment by tho State Department. C-uuplcd with Japan’s protest is the request of (he Japanese Government that tho American Government shall take all possible suitable measures for the removal of discrimination. '

I he protest, declares that- international discrimination is particularly unwelcome when based on considerations of race, and discrimination ol that character is ex-press,-d in (ho exclusion statute. The history of the commercial agreement between the two countries showed (hat Japan has sought to protect her nationals from clis- ; criminatory legislation in tho United States. The position was fully understood and appreciated by the American Government. I’he la.ltor’s legislation is in entire disregard of the spin!, and circumstances underlying Uio treaty of 1221, and makes it impossible for Japan to eoniimio the, undertakings assumed under the “Gentlemen's Agreement.'’ " The patient, loyal, and scrupulous observance by Japan, for more Hum sixteen years, of tlie.-e self-denying regulations,” stales the protest, “ in the interest of good relations between the two countries now seems to have, been wasted.’’ itespife the silence of the United Stales Administration, it, is authoritatively stated that, the State Department i> in a position to challenge in reply the, Japane.se contention that, the .Exclusion Act can he construed ns paiUvular discrimination against the Japanese, and will contend that tho negotiations leading to the treaty of 1911 no way justified the assumption that the United States was willing to limit her complete freedom to deal with immigration as she secs lit.—A. and N,Z. Cable. WASHINGTON, May 31. (Deceived June 2, at 12.50 p.m.) The text of the Japanese protest against exclusion has been published. It stresses that the measure wholly disregards the spirit and circumstances which underlie the Tardy of Comnirece. Japan would no logger be able, in view of tho exclusion decision, (o continue the undertakings assumed under the “ Gentlemen’s Agreement,” the patient, loyal, and scrupulous observance of which, for sixteen years appeal’s to have been wasted. Japanese immigration into the United States is too recent to permit judgment concerning the assimilahihty of the race. Tim Note further declares that the pressure of invidious discrimination to which the Japanese residents in some American States have been subjected have not offered an atm sphere suitable for demonstrating their adaptability. International discriminations, even if based on purely economic seasons, arc opposed to the principles of fairness and justice upon wlikh the friendly intercourse of nations must be d.pendent. Japan therefore c.n_Lt I-. a solemn prole-! against exclusion.— ’A. and X.Z. fable. REELING IN JAPAN. NEW YORK, May 51. Received June 2. at- 1.5-3 p.m.) The ■ New York Times’s ’ Tokio correspondent states that an nnidentitied Japanese, about forty years old, committed baiikari in front of the residence of Viscount Inotiye. He left, two letters, addressed to the American Ambassador and to the Japanese people. In the funner letter lie asks tho Americans to remove the exclusion stain, saying: “it is impossible lo overcome tho indignation caused by this insult. W e are now humiliated by your country in the eves of the world without- any justification. f prefer death rather than to fed resentment. I will, after death, pray for the greater happiness of your people and for the removal of the injurious anti-Jap-anese exclusion clause.’’

The incident caused a. groat sensation in Tokio. Tho police made elforts to suppress the nows of tho occurrence for fear that the vemacuki r Press would find occasion to stir up further the people s passions.—A. and N.Z. Cable.