The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1906-11-18
JAP QUESTION
DISCUSSED IN
WASHINGTON
Trouble In San Francisco
Schools Occupies Capt.
tails Attention.
SECRETARY ROOT HOLDS THAT
EXCLUSION FROM SCHOOLS Is
OPPOSED TO TREATY RIGHTS,
AND HE REGARDS SITUATION
AS GRAVE.
BY VIM. WOLFE SMITH.

Washington, d. c., Nov. 1.-THE
Acknowledgements situation still
continues to be topic of absorbing
interest in all its phases, although
members of the cabinet refrain from
taking any part in this open discus
sion. 1t is well-known, however, that
every member or the cabinet is
strongly opposed to any attempt to
exclude the Japs from the country,
anG it is believed the president will
take that stand in his message to
congress. The attitude of the people
of California is very pronounced on
the subject, but it is more than ros-
sible they are unduly alarmed. There
never has been rush of Japanese to
this country, such as WIS witnessed a
score or more years ago from China,
and there has been no cody system
among them. According to the report
OF the census bureau, IN 1900 ~here
were only about 10000 japanese in
the Pacific coast states, and OF that
number about 10000 were in Califor-
MIA. There has, at no time, since
1900 been any very large immigra-
ton of those people, the number this
year, according to Commissioner-Gen-
eral Sargent being less than $4,000
and of these only about 5000 CAM
from Japan direct, the others having
come to the Pacific states from
Hawaii. Mr.. Sargent says there is no
reason to believe that at any time in
the very near future is there likely to
be any great influx OF immigrants
from Japan. He points out, however,
that in case of war between the two
countries, the Japs in Hawaii would
be a source of great trouble, as they
number more than $4,000, all intelll-
gent, loyal subjects of the Island EN-
perOr.
Secretary Root holds that the ex-
clusion of the Japanese children
from the schools of San Francisco is
in contradiction of treaty rights, and
although he has not openly expressed
himself, there is no doubt he regards
the situation as being a very grave
one, even though it should not result
in war between the two countries.
American interests in Japan are very
large, and law excluding the Japan
csc from this country would be inn
mediately followed by the forcinc
from Japanese territory of all Ameri-
cans, and a severance of all CONNER
cial relations This would be sad
blow to American trade in the rar
East. In this connection it is init
mated that China is growing stronger
and making such advances under Jap
anese tutelage that it is not without
the range of probabilities she win.
sooner or later, retaliate for our I'M
friendly methods Should such a con-
dition arise, the Philippines and even
the Hawaiian Islands would no longer
be of any use to us, for we would
have no trade in the Orient, and hav
ing no trade would have no merchant
marine on the Pacific. The return
and report of Secretary Metcalf is
looked for with a good deal of anx-
iety, although it is practically known
his journey has been fruitless, OF
good results, so far as settling the
differences at San Francisco The
School fund of California and San
Francisco being state and municip-
al matter entirely, it Is hard to- see
just how, even with the treaty, the
general government can insist the
school doors shall be opened 10 any
body. That difficulty, however. might
be bridged over, but the feeling has
grown so intense on the Pacific coast
that an attempt will be made by the
California congressional delegates to
secure the passage Of law of exclu-
sion. With the present attitude OF the
general government 1t will be impos-
sible to enact such law, it is be-
lieved here, for the president would
surely veto it, If it came to him, and
II could not be passed over his veto,
but the very attempt will aggravate
the Japanese government. So, under
the most favorable conditions the
Continued on Page Eight.