JAPANESE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 20 June 1924, Page 5

JAPANESE

EXCLUSION BY AMERICA. REPLY TO PROTEST. BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT. WASHINGTON, June 18. The State Department has published the reply to the Secretary for State (Mr C. E. Hughes) to the Japanese protest against exclusion. The reply declares that the legislation affects neither the letter nor the spirit of jthe treaty of 1911, nor does it violate ‘The gentlemen’s agreement.” Mr Hughes asserts that President Coolidge desired to deal diplomatically with the question, but was unable to go beyond Congress. He observes that the exclusion provision does not materially differ' from the operation or policy of ‘‘the gentlemen’s agreement,” saying that the Government fully and gratefully appreciates Japan’s * voluntary assistance in executing a long established policy, which gives evidence of no lack of esteem in the character and achievements of Japan. Mr Hughes added that an important danger is the determination of Congress to exercise its prerogative of legislating on immigration. Mr Hughes points out that the Government does not feel itself limited by prior international arrangements. Furthermore, existing negotiations and past negotiations do not impair the full liberty of action of either party. Mr Hughes, in reviewing the treaties, points out that the United States Ai'as careful to negative any intention that £ , L’ e aty °f 1911 derogates from the full right of the discretionary control of immigration, which. right Japan unhesitatingly asserted domestically. Mr Hughes expresses regret that the action of Congress alloivs no latitude to exercise executive discretion, and acquiesces in Japan’s view 7 that Japan is released from any further obligation. In conclusion, Mr Hughes expresses the conviction that the recognition of the right of neach GoA T ernment to' legisill le col itrol of immigration should not derogate the mutual goodAA’ill and cordial friendship ivhich has always characterised their relations.