Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-27
TAKAH|RA TO DEPART
No Diplomat Has Won More
ofOur Respect and Confidence.
WILL RECEIVE HONORS
JAPAN's RESTRICTIONS ON EMF
GRAFTON OF HER SUBJECTS.
Should China Adopt Such Regulation
It Would Simplify the Exclu-
sion Problem.
BY WILLIAM E. CURTIS.

Written for The Star and the Chicago Record
Herald.
Mr.. kogoro Takahira, the Japanese min
lister at Washington, returns to his own
country in few days after five years of
uninterrupted service in the United States;
and 1t is safe to say that no diplomatic
representative of Japan, or any other
country, has commanded the respect and
the confidence of our government and
people to a higher degree than he Mr.
Takahira has been here through a very
exciting and important period of his
country's history, and it has been his duty
to deal with many delicate matters. He
has conducted himself with modesty dig
nifty and tact, and Japan has reason to
congratulate herself upon having so safe
and able guardian of her interests at
washington. When he returns to Japan
he VIII be received with honors, and the
Tokyo papers say that he will be elevated
to the peerage. 1t is not certain whether
he will return to Washington, but if he
should come back-and everybody hopes
that he WILT will be as ambassador. for
the diplomatic representatives of both
countries are to be raised to that rank
1t Is just one year since Mr.. Takahira sub
united TO an operation for appendicitis
from which he had a very slow recovery
but ne is now entirely himself again
exercise an important influence in con-
nection with the boycott of American
goods by China, and it may be assumed
that it will be favorable to our interests
There is no treaty of alliance between the
TWO countries there is with England
and none is needed. The japanese look
upon the United States as a sort of political
godfather. and there is no reason why
that relation should be disturbed.
Japan's Restrictions on Emigration.
1t might be possible for China to adopt
some such regulations concerning emfgra-
ton as have been enforced in JAPAN for
many years If it should do so the ex-
clusion problem would be greatly simplifed
No men or women of the coolie class can
leave Japan for foreign country without
the permission of the authorities; and no
steamship agent will sell a ticket to a ma
tive unless a certificate, or passport, ac-
companies the application This does not,
however, apply to frSt-claSS passengers.
The authorities assume that those who
are able to pay the frst-class fare are
capable of looking after themselves: but
they VIII not allow an unsophisticated
chances of ill-trea tment among aliens He
will not be allowed to leave the country
until the authorities of his native village
or parish are satisfied that he knows his
business and that the change viii be bene-
fetal to him. The population of Japan is
becoming very dense and the government
encourages certain classes of emigrants to
go to China, Korea, the Philippines, Hawaii,
the United States and Canada; but no one
is given a passport unless he shows evil
dence that he is capable of taking care of
himself, and is reasonably certain of OBJ
tanning employment. The japanese gov
eminent knows the location of every sub
ject who is living outside of its Jurlsdic-
ton. Records are kept of every emigrant
by the emigration authorities, and Japanese
In this and other countries are always care
full to notify the proper official of any
change of address.
Last summer a young man who was act
ing as a delivery clerk for Yokohama
merchant asked an American tourist to
take him to the United States in the guise
of a servant, because, as such, he said he
would be able to get much better accommo-
dations and receive better treatment on
board the steamer. The boy was ambi-
tious to come to this country, believing he
could do better here than al home; and the
American. becoming interested in his aspi-
rations. agreed to take him as a servant
through the voyage. although he could not
do anything for him after the arrival or
the steamer at San Francisco. Therefore,
at the boys request he wrote note to the
mayor of the proper town. stating that So
and-so had agreed to accompany him to the
United States as a servant, on such-and-
such a steamer, and he would like a pass
port for him. The mayor replied very
promptly, asking in what capacity the
young man was to be employed and in what
part of the United States and for what
time, wages, etc.
This was a stumper to the tourist, and as
ce!ve the official, the passport was refused
and tOV WAS left behind.