Mexico Missouri message., 1906-11-01
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT SENDS n
CABINET OFFICER TO SAN f,
FRANCISCO. 4
JAPAN'S COMPLAINT
To Make Investigation Of Alleged Ee'
elusion Of Japanese Children
from the Public Schools
Of San Francisco.

Washington-Presld Roosevelt
has directed Victor H. Metcalf, secre-
tary of the department OF commerce
and labor, to proceed to San Fran
cisco, and make a thorough and COM
plete inquiry into the situation af'
fecting the exclusion Of Japanese chill
dren from the schools provided for
white children and the determination
to place japanese pupils in separate
schools. The president is anxious to
obtain. at first hand, from a cabinet
officer, who is acquainted with local
| conditions in San Francisco, full in-
formation affecting every phase of the
subject, to the end that whatever ac-
ton is taken by this government may
be after an accurate understanding OF
the situation. The president feels that
every effort within the power of the
administration should be exerted to
see that all the treaty rights claimed
by Japan for it's people residing in the
United States should be respected and
protected.
At Request Of Ambassador Aoki.
The determination to send Secretary
Metcalf to San Francisco was one OF
the results of the request made by
Viscount Aoki, the Japanese ambassa-
dor, who at a conference with Secre-
tary Root, asked, in behalf of his gov
eminent, that the Japanese subjects
in California be accorded their full
rights under the treaty of 1894, In
GLIDING that of the children to attend
the public schools of San Francisco.
This request was the subject Of very
long and earnest discussion at the
cabinet meeting Friday, when the con-
clusion was reached that the best thing
to do was to send Mr.. Metcalf to Cali
fornia to secure personally all the data
which could have any possible bearing
on the situation. The dispatch of q
cabinet officer on such a mission, IL
was argued, would demonstrate to the
Japanese the evident sincerity OF this
government in dealing with the whole
subject, and its desire to show that
every effort is being made to get at
the facts.
EN0Ty dI SOVlWdNus
Mr.. Metcalf will proceed to San
Francisco with all possible dispatch.
Every facility will be put at his COM
mand to make his investigation as
thorough as possible, as the president
is anxious to have the inquiry con-
Quoted with all possible expedition, in
order to have the results at hand with
out delay. 1t is hardly Likely that any
report from Mr.. Metcalf will be avail
able before the president leaves on his
Panama trip, although Mr.. Metcalf
may send some of his information by
telegraph soon after he arrives at San
Francisco. 1t is hoped by the admin
istration officials that the expressed
desire of the administration to secure
the treaty rights of the Japanese Will
tend to allay the anti-American feel
ing in Japan, until the whole matter
is automatically adjusted.
During his investigation, Secretary
Metcalf VIII, If he finds necessary, COM
municate with Gov. Pardee Of Cali
fornia, the mayor of San Francisco,
and the authorities of the school board,
who have direct charge of the schools
in which the Japanese pupils have
: been denied admission. He also viii
consult with the Japanese consular Of
ficers in San Francisco, and other
sources Of information. The inquiries
to be Instituted by Mr.. Metcalf are
supplemental to the steps initiated in
San Francisco Thursday by direction
of the department Of justice to compel
the authorities to receive Japanese
pupils into the public schools. Such
information as the United States dis
trict attorney at San Francisco may
furnish the department bearing on the
situation win be made use Of IN con-
nectfOn with that secured by Mr.. Met
, calf IN any further steps that may be
taken BY the United States governs
ment.
Another Complaint.
? Incidental to the inquiry into the
school question, Mr.. Metcalf win pay
!. some attention to the charges made
by Count AOkl to Secretary Root that
Japanese restaurant keepers In San
= Francisco have suffered indignlties,
s The Japanese officials in Washing
e ington say they realize that these
q demonstrations and the exclusion Of
/ the school children are acts local In
\ character. but they say 1t Is hard "a
d convince the people OF Japan that the
/ central government is not responsible
for them.
a. 1n,s,, a.,,Inas p.nts Habhad