Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-03
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Change in Attitude on Japanese
Question.
WILL CONFER WITH KAHN
Had . Brief Talk Today and Will Call
Later in the Week.
RESUBMISSION IN MAINE
What MI. Littlefeld Says About Pro-
hibition in His State-Dryden
Is Hopeful.
WILL CONFER WITH KAHI
RESUBMISSI0N IN MANI

40 AAOpCAoAs
The positive statement can be made that
in the interchanges Of communications be-
tween this government and Japan on the
japanese school question in San Francisco
the administration will avoid saying any
thing that may offend the Japanese. but at
the same time the Japanese will be made
fully acquainted, in a conci1iatory sort Of
way, with the difficulties in the way OF the
federal government interfering In a sov-
erign state in a matter so strictly local as
this.
At the beginning Of the controversy the
President was apparently inclined to the
belief that the declination Of the school au-
thortties to permit Japanese to enter white
schools was the result Of San Francisco
politics Of an unusual sort and that the
people Of the city would overturn the au-
thorities responsible for the alleged insult
to the Japanese. In fact. the Information
given the President in the early part of
the difficulty was Of this kind, and led to
an official statement indicating that local
politics was at fault.
There was an air of confidence that the
federal government would be able to make
things satisfactory to the japanese. and
much talk followed of proceedings In the
IeQoTdl COURTS 10 compel the local ScnOH
people to change their orders. Besides an
Investigation that was conducted by At
torney General Moody as to what could
be done in the United States courts. Sec
rotary Metcalf went to California as the
personal representative Of the President.
The President has learned with the ut
most emphasis. from dozens Of people OF
all classes In San Francisco and California.
that the sentiment against the japanese is
too pronounced too deeply seated, TO per-
NIT OF change and that the only thing to
do Is to let the Japanese down as easily
as possible. This. in brief. Is to be the ad-
course open to the President and Secretary
Of State. Under the circumstances the
japanese must be satisfied with what the
State Department sees At to dole out In
soft SOAP The correspondence between
the two countries will be drawn out so as
to give time for forgetful atmosphere
to settle down over both countries. and
then the matter will peter out. not to be
awakened until some pressing incident OF
the future may add the stings Of the pres
ent affair and give the statesmen OF both
countries something to do.
Will Confer With Kahn.
Representative Kahn Of San Francisco.
who closely represents local sentiment on
this question. had brief talk with the
President today and later In the week Is to
call upon the chief executive by invitation.
to discuss the whole thing with him. It
was Mr.. Kahn who was accused Of first in
citing feeling between the two people by an
interview criticising the japanese. but in
answering the questions of a Star represen-
tatiye this morning he showed disposition
to treat the matter with the calmest sort
of consideration, and to say nothing that
would needlessly offend the Japanese He
did, however make some explanations as to
San Francisco feeling that throw some ad-
ditional light
Of he drnf bA
brought about a feeling against the Japa-
nese was right after the earthquake and
fire. The japanese evidently determined
that they would change their quarters in
the city. So several of them went into the
heart of the best residential neighborhood
of San Francisco and began paying fancy
p ICES for buildings causing the white
tenants to be run out They gradually in
creased their lease of buildings until they
acquired A large number. Shortly after
ward followed the temporary reconstruc-
ton OF the destroyed school buildings and
the esta blishment of San Francisco children
upon their educational course. The ma
jority of the thirty-four beautiful school
buildings were destroyed. and in their
places were put up temporary wooden build
lngs that did not accommodate e-fourth
as many pupils, Consequently there Is not
room for the white children of San Fran
cisco in the public schools and many of
them may not be admitted. In this crowded
condition there was naturally irritation
"
enter grade with little white girls and
boys not over eight or nine years Of age,
taking seats that should have gone to white
children.
ON top of all this is the large immigra-
ton of japanese, who coming in at the
rate Of at least 1000 a month and taking
the place Of white laborers skilled and I'M
skilled. as well as displacing American
merchants in business dealings with Jap
anese."
Despite the feeling Mr. Kann believes that
the matter will be settled without further
friction.
Clements Succeeds Himself.
The President decided a few days ago
that he would nominate Judson c. Clements
Of Georgia to succeed himself as a mem
Der of the interstate commerce commission,
Of which he has been a member for a num-
Der Of years. The names Of a number of
democrats were suggested to the President
for this vacancy, among them ex-Gov. Mon
tague Of Virginia. but the President con-
sidered that the best interests of the coun-
try would be served by again placing Mr..
Clements ~on the commission for another
term Mr.. Clements present term expires
December 81.
Resubmission In Maine.
Representative Littlefeld of Maine, whose
prohibition views came near costing him his
election to Congress for another term. was
among the numerous congressional callers
to see the President today. Mr.. Little
field, who has all along been emphatic In
his idea that Maine would stand by pro-
hibition Is not near so certain of that now.
yes" he said today. there Is undoubt-
edly a strong sentiment in Maine to have
the question Of prohibition again submitted
to the people. We cannot yet tell what the
legislature will do about resubmission, but
the democrats who have considerable
strength in the coming legislature, are
unanimous for putting the question to q
vote of the people. believing that prohibit
ton will be defeated. There Is also strong
sentiment among many republicans for re-
Mr.. Ldttlefield considered tho
subject a rather ticklish one. but 1t Is stated
that tina republican legislators NAV get to-