SAN FRANCISCO SCHOOLS QUESTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13353, 6 December 1906, Page 5

SAN FRANCISCO SCHOOLS QUESTION.

JUSTICE FOE THE JAPANESE

MILITARY FORCE TO BE USED

IF NECESSARY.

(Received December 5, 30.1 p.m.)

New York. December 5.

President Roosevelt in his message refers to the San Francisco schools question, and says that he must insist that Americans should treat all immigrants with justice and goodwill. The sporadic hostility occasionally shown to the Japanese is most discreditable and fraught with the gravest consequences.

He says: "Japan is now one of the greatest civilised nations, and although the overwhelming mass of Americans cherish a lively regard for the Japanese",',a'most unworthy feeling has been manifested at San Francisco because of the efficiency of Japanese workers. Where it possesses the power the Federal Government will deal summarily with those who act badly towards the Japanese. Where the power rests with the States the President hopes they will repress the wrongdoers."

He. recommends Congress to authorise the naturalisation of Japanese residents in the United States, also to empower the President to enforce the rights of aliens under treaties.

Regarding the San Francisco case the President says he intends to apply all the forces he possesses, both military and civil, to secure justice for the Japanese.

He adds: "It is impossible to allow any locality to commit a crime against a friendly nation and leave to the Federal Government, which is powerless to prevent the offence, the responsibility of defending the community.''

With reference to President Roosevelt's threat to use force if necessary against the State of California, it was stated in October that he relied upon Article 6 of the Constitution for power to take this course. The full text of Article 6 is as follows: —

"All debts contracted and engagements entered into before the adoption of this Constitution shall lie as valid against the United States under this Constitution as under the Confederation.

"This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof, and all treaties made, or which shall be made under the authority of the United States, shall he the supreme law of the land, and the judges in every State shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or laws of any State to the' contrary notwithstanding-. "The senators and representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by oath or affirmation to support this Constitution ; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trujt- under the United States."