The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-13
JAPbN'S FRIENDLY ACT
An Order Restricting Emigration
to This Country.
The Imperial Government Takes
steps to Check the Influx of Lower
Cinsses to the United Stntes-Set-
Element of Question Asitnt-
ing the Pacific Coast Made Easier.

| Ing the racine Coast Made Ensicr
The Japanese Government has informed
the Treasury Department. through its le-
CATION here, ttat-it has issued an order
restricting emigration to the United States
which will practically be prohibitive.
Counselor Stevens, OF the legation, called
upon Assistant Secretary of the Treasury
Taylor yesterday to inform him Of this ac-
| tion. The announcement was most wei
come news. and relieves the Treasury De-
partment OF great deal of anxiety which
has been felt for the last few months, dur
ing the unprecedented rush of japanese to
this country
The fact of the cordial cooperation Of
the Japanese Government with the United
States in this matter is looked upon by the
President and Cabinet as most friendly
action by power which has always been
on the best terms with this country.
The japanese Government having been
informed of the feeling which the recent
influx of the lower classes Of Japanese
has created in certain ports Of the United
States. promptly recognized the harm
which this prejudice against Japan and
tie better classes of Japanese would co,
! and took such steps as will definitely settle
the matter.
The Japanese Parliament is not now in
session. but the Government taking ad-
vantage of an emergency privilege in its
laws. ordered that an average of only
mi IN IN tho mi tod
States in one month from any of the
forty seven procedures in that country.
The same order was put into effect in re-
gard to Canada. except that double the
number will be allowed to come to the
Dominion from each prefecture. In order
to prevent emigrants to Canada crossing
the border into the United States and
thus evadfng the Intention Of the law, 1t
Is announced that the Japanese Govern
ment will prevent this by inaugurating a
system Of examinations at ports Of debark-
alton, IL it Is found that the spirit Of
the order is evaded
The order has gone into effect and i'm
mediately upon Its promulgation q special
meeting Of the governors Of the prefec-
lures in Japan was called. The Minister
OF Foreign Affairs addressed this meeting
and informed tho governors Of the spirit
which the Japanese Government wishes to
show in the matter. The governors were
asked to Cooperate in strictly enforcing
the new order and to see that the people
came to understand its provisions.
In speaking Of the action Of the jap
anese Government In this matter to a re-
porter yesterday. Counselor Stevens said:
1T will be very easy to effect a settle-
ment Of the Japanese immigration ques-
tion. In fact, this new order practically
prohibits emigration to the United States
from Japan. / have maintained all along
that mutual consultation of the two
Governments on the subject was all that
was needed. The Japanese Government
does not want its subjects to leave their
own country. There is plenty for them
to do there. BY no means does it want
them to emigrate to a country where they
are not welcome. II recognizes the fact,
also, that the class OF Objectionable people
who have been coming here are taken for
the most part not from the prosperous
country. but from the city slums. These
people have been induced to come here
probably by stories OF the high wages
that are paid in this country and have
been deceived by emigrant agents in many
ways, besides not being informed of the
cost of getting here and of living after
they get here
THE Japanese Government does not
want its subjects to become burden upon
any country. much less upon the people
of such friendly nation as the United
States. 1t cannot be stated too positively
that that Government does not want its
subjects TO leave their country 1t will
cooperate very cordially with this Gov
ernment in seeking out and furnishing
agents under its jurisdiction who here
after break the laws in regard TO immigra-
tion. and 1t will do everything in its
power to furnish information in regard to
any scheme for bringing contract labcrers
into the United States from its shores
THE population of Japan in 1874 was
3G.0G0. .0C0, and Is now about AZ. 900, 900. an
increase of only six million in twenty-six
years under all the improved conditions
of life and living. There is enough for all
these people to do at home. and the Japan
ese Government intends to look out for all
of its subjects.
.'The legation here has kept the Govern
ment fully advised. and it has acted as
promptly as possible. We are at a loss to
know the cause of the recent rush of
japanese to the United States. 1t is be-
lieved to have been caused by the great
activity Of agents of steamship lines in
working a systematic scheme of some sort
for inducing ignorant japanese to embark
for this country. Many OF the laborers who
have come here have undoubtedly been
welcomed by the railroads in the West on
account of their faithfulness and desir-
ability as laborers. The Japanese as a
c!ees are undoubtedly as desirable immi-
grants as many who are admitted from
many European countries. but there is a
prejudice on the Pacific Coast, especially
against Asiatic immigration.
"The japanese Government would make
decided protest against any legislation
80 tka iyaI
immigration from that country, as the
treaty is very specific in regard to the mat
ter, but 1 think that this action of CO.
operation with this Government to he!p
1t to carry out the wishes of its people
will be construed as a very friendly act
and it is intended as SUCH