JAPANESE EXCLUSION.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15998, 28 May 1924, Page 5

JAPANESE EXCLUSION.

WARLIKE TALK IN JAPAN

A NATIONAL INSULT.

EFFECT ON CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) NE WYORK, Mav 20.

Japanese Army res'ervists io Ihe number of JO,OOO, who were participating in ihe anti-exclusion demonstration, adopted a resolution asking the reservists tliroilghoul Japan lo unite for (.he sake of Ihe Fatherland. and In fuliil at a moment's calling their duties as military men. Mr S. Uyosugi, a noted Nationalistic writer on public affairs, declared that a compromise with America on the immigration question is no longer possible. He said: "If history leaches anything, an eventual collision between Japan and America in the Pacific is inevitable.''

Japanese leaders assort that the American exclusion law will make the .Japanese distrust missionaries, and renounce as a. shame ihe latter's professions of Christian humanity, justice, and brotherhood. The leaders declare that Ihe exclusion will ultimately divorce Ihe native churches from the American mission bodies.

OFFICIAL CIRCLES SURPRISED

PRESIDENT ISSUES STATEMENT

DISAPPROVAL OF CONGRESS ACTION NEW YORK. May 27. Official circles are frankly surprised, because by his action the President has apparently disavowed Ihe recommendations of'f'he Secretary of Stale, Mr G. E. Hughes, which had received Mr Coolid'ge's Prompt endorsement. It had been widely believed during the past fortnight, flial the President would refuse ito approve the bill, which admittedly outrages Japanese susceptibilities.

It. was thought that. Mr Coolidgc would avoid vetoing the measure, because he feared to aggravate the resentment of Congress, which reached a high pitch in Hie ropassagr of Ihe Soldiers' Bonus Bill over Ihe Presidential veto. (Mliciat's were of Ihe opinion that Mr Coolidgc would simply return the Immigration Mill with a courteous recommendation lhal the Japanese exclusion clause should be tempered in its language and moderated in its effect. Events of the past few days, however, revealed a stale of legislative rebellion which would have rendered executive instructions hazardous.

Action of Congress Disapproved. Despite the provision making Japanese exclusion effective from July 1. which lie opposed, Ihe President decided, on account of oilier considerations, lo give the measure his official approval. It was pointed mil to him thai, inasmuch as the present immigration law expires on June :m. his veto might have made it necessary to rush through an emergency measure in the closing hours of the session. The President fell thai such a step would not be practicable in view of Ihe tangled legislative situation and the certainly that any emergency provision would be met by many at tempts at amendment, and would possibly be blocked altogether. Mr Coolidgc has, however, issued a statement expressing his disapproval of the failure of Congress to provide for a longer delay hi Ihe dale set for (lie coming into force of Japanese exclusion. In this he says that in signing the bill, the main features of

which he heartily approved, he regretted the impossibility of severing from it Ihe exclusion provision, which, in the light of the existing law, especially affects the Japanese. Japanese Co-operation Better.

The statement proceeds: I gladly recognise that the enactment of this provision does not imply any change in oiTr sentiment of admiration of, and cordial friendship for, the Japanese people. The bill rather expresses the determination of Congress to exercise ils prerogative in defining by legislation its control of immigration instead of leaving the matter to international arrangements.

It is noteworthy, says the President, that the bill exempts from exclusion Government officials, those coming to the United Stales as tourists, or temporarily for business or for pleasure, those in transit, seamen, professors, ministers of religion, students, and those entering the country to carry on trade-pursuant to existing treaties. But il would have been much heller, in my judgment, and mure effective in the actual control of immigration, if wo had continued to invite that co-operation which Japan is ready to give. We should thus have avoided creating any ground for misapprehension by an unnecessary statutory enactment.

General Clauses Urgently Needed. That course would not have derogated the authority of Congress lo deal with Ihe quest ion in any exigency requiring its action. There could scarcely be any ground for disagreement as lo Ihe result we want, but I Ids method of securing it is unnecessary and deplorable at this lime. If the exclusion provision stood atone I should disapprove, wilhoul hesitation, of it being brought about in Ibis way at this time. But the bill is a comprehensive .measure dealing willi the whole subject of immigration and selling up the necessary administrative machinery. The present Act terminates on June 30. and this new measure will lake its place. Arrangements for ils administration require lo lie made at once in order to avoid hardship and confusion.

1 inns!, therefore, consider the bill as a whole, and Ihe Imperative need of the country for legislation of this general character. For this reason the bill is approved.