The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-27
PRESIDENT WILL
TRY To PLACATE
THE JAPANESE

Washington, Oct 27.-By President
Roosevelt's direction. Victor II. Metcalf
secretary of commerce and labor, will
leave Washington today for San Francis
co TO make a thorough inquiry into the
anti-Japanese telling there, and particu
larly into the causes responsible for the
exclusion OF Japanese children from the
public schools
This action OF the president indicates
how thoroughly aroused the administra-
ton Is over Japan's resentment of the
discrimination against its subjects in Cal
ifornia and how seriously II views the sit
uation, which threatens to rupture cor
dial telling between the two nations
Mr.. Metcalf is Californian His home
is at Oakland, just across the bay from
San Francisco. His selection as the presi.
dents envoy was due II npart 10 the geo
graphical proximity OF mis- residence 10
the seat OF anu-Japanese agitation, but
the President wishes mainly TO empha
sze that ihs interest in the situation Is
great enough TO justify him In sending
one OF his own Cabinet officers to the
scene of agitation.
The president also has sent directions
to the United States district attorney at
San Francisco. through the department OF
justice. to make fun inquiry into the
discrimination against our Japanese
school children. The district attorneys
report will be presented 10 Secretary Met
calf on his arrival at San Francisco.
Mr.. Metcalf had a long conference with
the president late yesterday afternoon,
following a meeting of The cabinet which
tions were generally TO confer with the
governor, the acting mayor OF San Fran
cisco. the japanese consul, the school au-
thorities and all others who might be
able to throw light on the anti-Japanese
situation, and report TO ihe president the
exact conditions and the basis or the SEN
timent which served 10 bring about the
III rfr ,ff,a n
jects.
While there is no official authority for
saying So II is supposed that Mr. Metcalf
will endeavor TO make the anti-Japanese
element among those In authority in San
Francisco realize the danger 10 the com
mercial interests of the United States In
China and elsewhere in the Far East,
which lies in giving offense TO japan. and
also the moral obligation which rests upon
the federal government and its citizens 10
respect the treaty rights Of japanese who
are assured OF freedom from discrimina-
ton while residing within the borders OF
the country.
In the meantime the Washington gov
ernment will notify the government OF
Japan Of the object Of Secretary Metcalf
mission and give assurances of Its desire
to observe the obligations imposed upon
It by the treaty of amity between the
two countries
Nobody i'm a position to know President
Roosevelt's views on the situation will
give any intimaton OF the policy he would
be inclined to pursue should be San Fran
cisco authorities decline TO remove their
discrimination against Japanese subjects.
1t is doubtful even that the president has
formed any policy in his own mind.
straw that may be taken as an indi-
cation of which way the administration
wind blows is found. however, In the
knowledge that the president and his ad-
visers I'm their consideration OF the pres
ent embarrassing situation, have not been
unmindful Of the fact that Japan,
through the Red Cross sent more than
500 600 for the relief of San Franciscos
earthquake and fire sufferers.
II is expected that Secretary Metcalf
will lay emphasis on this proof of Japans
friendliness toward the United States in
his dealings with those who have favored
discrimination against japanese.