The Washington herald., 1906-11-29
Presidents Message Reviews
San Francisco Situation.
RIGHT TO INTERFERE CLAIMED
state Department Has Decisions De-
claring Treaty 10 he supreme Law
of Land, Regardless of state En-
actments Federal Action Is Re-
sented on the Pacific Coast.

problem growing out OF the exclusion OF
japanese from the regular public schools
Of San Francisco viii 5e included IN
President Roosevelt's message. It is not
probable that any official statement con
eerning the trouble will be forthcoming
pending It's submission to Congress.
Information as to the attitude to be
taken by the President is not available.
Some persons who have investigated the
legal aspects of the matter say they do
not see how be can do anything that
viii result IN any change in the existing
situation. but the Department Of Stale
and Justice hold TO the contrary.
The japanese government is sanguine
OF the Presidents ability TO adjust the
trouble satisfactorily. and its representa-
lives in Washington are awaiting the
publication Of the message with consid-
cradle eagerness. There can be no doubt
that the gravity OF the situation is fully
appreciated on both sides, and that un-
pleasant consequences are expected if an
amicable understanding is not reached
The question is easily the most delicate
at present engaging the attention Of the
administration
Mr.. MetcnIf Didn't Succeed.
1t is an open secret now that Secre-
tary Metcalf failed to accomplish all that
his visit to California was expected 10
bring about He was sent there not only 10
get all the facts regarding the segreCa-
ton Of the japanese IN the schools. but
10 show the local authorities the error
Of their ways. and induce them 90 DO
something calculated 20 diminish the re-
sentiment felt in Japan as a result OF
their original action.
He was not even partially successful
in bringing about a change in the atti-
tude of the CaiifOruiaus II Is assumed
that the Secretary az least intimated
that relations between this government
and japan would be strained unless
something was done 10 relieve the ten
sion, but even this had no effect.
His report TO the Pres ldent probably
shows that labor organizations on the
| Pacific Coast are responsible for the anti
! japanese feeling but it also indicates,
probably, that the Secretary was inn
pressed with the widespread desire on
/ the Coast 20 restrict japanese inmigra-
ton He found a very large proportion
| OF the people in favor of nippiuS in the
/ bud what is known out there as the
/ japanese problem. and discovered that
the proposed interference Of the Federal
/ government is generally resented. treaty
/ provisions % the contrary uUtwithstaud-
/ ing.
/ a State law in California provides for
/ the establishment Of separate schools for
/ OTentals, and the people Of that State as
/ well rs those Of Washington and Oregon.
feel that any attempt on the part Of the
/ Federal authorities 10 stand in the way
/ Of the operations Of that law is unwdr-
raHted. as well as unconstitutional
Look on Japs "a south Does Negroes.
/ The Secretary found tendency
/ on the part Of San Franciscaus to
contend that the japanese would attend
the public schools there are generally
more than eighteen years old. and TO in
| sist that il is not proper TO permit half
/ grown mon and women 20 be members
/ Of classes in which the white students
/ ar5 mere children.
/ But this argument is, apparently. not "a
/ the point. ii II were, the problem could
+ be solved By the enactment Of a law
! fixing an age limit for all who desire "a
/ become members Of specified classes in
/ the schools. regardless OF race or color
/ The plain truth seems to be that Cali
/ fOrnia Is rapidly assuming an attitude
i toward the japanese which is in few re-
/ spects Gissimilar 20 the attitude of the
! Southern States toward the negro. and Il
is this feature which is at the bottom Of
/ Japan's resentment
Believe They Can Make n Case.
| Opinions bearing on the subject have
been studied by officials of both the state
Department and the Department Of JUS
tice. and they are sanguine OF their abn-
! ity 10 overcome the contention of the Cal
/ ifornia authorities. should the question
go to the courts.
No specific reference 10 che right OF
japanese 10 attend the State publ,
schools is contained in the treaty between
the United States and japan. bur IN,
Department Of State contends that thu
right is implied, and the Department OF
Justice entertains the same opinion
Viscount Aoki. the Jap~uese Ambassa.
dor. purposes going to California thi.
winter in order to investigate. personally
the conditions under which his country.
men live The Japanese government
realizes that II viii have to take q hanC
in the immigration question eventually
and one Of the plans now tentatively be
ing considered is TO prohibit the emigra
/ ton OF ordinary laborers from the hom,
country to America.
In time, if surface indications are O
/ any value the discrimination against IN,
japanese will be carried to the extent o
| providing "jimcTow' cars for them. re
fusing them entrance to restaurants pat
| ronized by whites, and cOnfining them q
/ sections specially reserved for them il
theaters and other public places.
While the details of Secretary MetcaIf.
report are being considered by the Presi
dent. Secretary Root is looking up tn,
law bearing on the case and studvinl
the treaties with Japan. He has foun,
several decisions of the Supreme COur
on the Coast. Talk of new treaty is be
law Of land.
This, il IS thought. would meet the OBJ
jections of the organized labor elemen
on the coast. Talk Of a new treaty is be
ing INDUCED I'm, also, but without any
thing approaching dehuiteIess.
The President discussed the Japanes,
question with Senator Fulton. of Oregon
yesterday Afterward Senator FultoI
said that his state had no serious troubl,
with japanese or Chinese students
Those who attend our schools are al
youngsters" he said, so that we hav,
had 10 deal with no such problem as ha!
presented itself in San Francisco"
Representative Hays. of San Francisco
has announced that he Will introduce ;
bill soon after the convening Of Congress
providing for the negotiation Of a nev
treaty with japan which shall specifcaU,
permit American cities to provide suCl
school regulations for JapaneSe student
as they see fit
Want CRnteeD Restored.
A memorial 10 Congress, petitioning 70
/ / the restoration of the army canteen wa