The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-10-27
ROOSEVELT ACTS FOR JAPAN.
MOVES TO PROTECT HER TREATY
RIGHTS IN CALIFORNIA.
Sends Secretary MetCnIf to Investigate Ex-
cIusIOn OF Children From schools and
TO Impress Upon state Authorities
Seriousness OF the situation Created.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2o-By President
Roosevelt's direction Victor H. Metcalf,
Secretary Of Commerce and Labor, will
leave Washin gton tomorrow for San Fran
cisco to make q thorough inquiry into the
a~nti-Japanese feeling there and particularly
into the causes responsible for the ex-
chlsion Of Japanese children from the
public schools.
This action indicates how thoroughly
aroused the Administration Is over Japan's
resentment of the discrimination against
its subjects in California and how seriously
it views the situation which threatens the
continuance Of cordial good feeling betw cen
the two nations.
Mr. Metcalf is a Californian. His home
San Francisco. His selection as the Presi-
dents envoy was due in part to the geo.
graphical proximity of his residence to the
seat Of anti-Japanese agitation, but the
President wants mainly to emphasize that
his interest in the situation is great enough
to justify sending one OF his own Cabinet
to the scene.
The President also has sen through the
Department of Justice directions to the
United States District Attorney at San
Francisco TO make a full inquiry into the
discrimination against Japanese school
children. The District Attorneys report
will be presented to Secretary Metcalf on
his arrival at San Francisco.
Mr.. MetcaIf had a long conference with
the President late this afternoon. His
instructions we're, generally, TO confer
with the Governor, the acting Mayor Of
San Francisco, the japanese Consul, the
school authorities and all others who might
be able to throw light on the anti-Japanese
situation and report TO the President the
exact conditions and the basis of the senti-
ment which served to bring about the
diScrimina alton against japanese subjects.
While there is no official authority for
saying so, il is supposed hat Mr.. Metcalf
will endeavor TO make the anti-Japanese
element among those in authority in San
Fran cisco realize the dan ger to tho COM
mercial interests OF the United States, not
only in Japan but in china and else whe re-
in the Far East. which lies in giving offence
to Japan and also the moral obligation
which rests upon the Federal Government
and its citizens to respect the treaty rights
OF the Japanese. who are assured of free
dom from discrimination while residing
within the borders Of the country.
In the meantime the Washington Gov
m will notify the Government Of
japan OF the object Of Secretary Metcalf's
mission and give assurances OF its desire
to observe the obligations imposed upon
it by the treaty OF amity bet ween the two
countries.
Nobody in a position to know President
Roosevelt's views on the situation will give
any intimation OF the policy he would be
inclined TO pursue should the San Fran
cisco authorities decline to move their
discrimination against the Japanese. IL
is doubtful if the President has defined
sny policy. even in his own mind.
A straw that may be taken as an indica-
ton OF which way the administration
wind blows is found, however, in the knowl-
edge that the President and his ad visers
in their consideration Of the present en-
harrassing situation nav not been unmind-
full Of the fact that Japan through the Red
Cross sent more than 800 900 for the
relief Of San Francisco's earthquake and
fire sufferers. 1t is expected that Score
tary Metcalf will lay emphasis on this proof
OF Japan's friendliness in his dealings with
those who have favored discrimination
against japanese.
There is no escaping the conviction that
should Secretary Metcalf fail to bring to
the San Francisco authorities a realization
Of the serious reflection which their atti-
tude has cast upon the good faith OF the
United States in its observance Of treaty
obligations the President and his advisers
will give consideration to the question Of
the powers OF the Federal Government 10
enforce these treaty guarantees.
The Government is extremely anxious
not only for commercial hut for sentimental
reasons to preserve its long standing
friendship with japan and the fear Is ex-
pressed here that japan will insist upon
a strict observance by the United States
Of its treaty pledge TO give Japanese sub
jects the same privileges as are accorded
to the citizens Of the republic.
Whether it will be deemed advisable for
the Government to insist that the State Of
NhilOTIlld TCCOk iASC thO btCdNy IHANuVBtS VI
the japanese in that State nobody in
authority here is willing to say and there
is a general disposition among officials to
refrain from comment Of any sort on the
subject.
SAN Francisco, Oct. 2e.-Judge Wolver-
ton Of the United States Circuit Court has
issued an order to the Board OF Education
OF San Francisco, citing that body to show
cause why an injunction should not issue
compelling the reinstatement Of l. Yasu-
hara, a Japanese pupil excluded from
the Pacific Heights grammar school. The
board Ia TO answer on November S. This
order followed an application for injunction
presented to Judge Wolverton.
It is the intention to make this a test case
The ground for asking an injunction was
that the resolution OF the board OF Educa-
ton excluding Japanese pupils from the
city schools is in violation Of the Constitu-
ton OF the United States and also in viola
ton Of a treaty now existing between the
United States and the Empire Of Japan.