The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-04-19
Saws Never Was Danger
of Japanese
War.
Famous uSAttorneySGather
For Annual Meeting
at New Willard.
Richard Olney to Speak
to Fellow Members
Tonight.

Notable figures in American public life
assembled here this morning for a two
days discussion OF projects Of inter
national moment The occasion was the
first meeting Of the American Society
OF international Law.
Organized less than a year ago. for
the purpose OF pOpular:zing knowledge
upon the principles Of such an import
ant but intricate subject, the associa-
ton has a membership OF more than 500
distinguished members. a large number
OF whom were in attendance today.
Commissioner Macfarland's Welcome.
At this mornings session, which began
at 10 o'clock. NJ the New Willard Hotel
Henry B. F. MacFarland. president OF
the Board Of Commissioners Of the Dis
trict Of Columbia, delivered an address
OF welcome 10 the numerous members
who were in attendance. After the
transaction OF some routine business,
Secretary Of State Root. president OF the
society. made an important address, TAX
ing for his subject The Real Questions
Under the japanese Treaty and the san
Francisco School Board Resolution %
This matter has only recently been OF
paramount Importance, and the Secre-
tary discussed It with rare frankness, in
the light of his intimate association with
the negotiations.
Secretary Roots Speech.
In the course OF his address. Secretary
Root said ip iart:
The change in the theory and practice
OF government which has marked the
century since the establishment OF the
American. Union has shifted the deter
minatiOn Of great questions Of domestic
national policy from a few rulers in
each country 10 the great body of the
people, who render the ultimate de-
cision under all modern constitutional
governments.
Never for a moment was there, as
between the Government % the United
States and the government OF Japan.
the slightest departure from perfect
good temper. mutual confidence, and
kindly consideration: and no sooner had
the views and purposes OF the govern
ments OF the United States, the State OF
California, and the city Of San Fran
cisco been explained by each 10 the
other than entire harmony and good
understanding resulted, with a common
desire 10 exercise the powers vested in
each. for the common good of the
whole country. OF the State. and Of the
city.
Question of Constitutional Power.
Zone question at issue was whether, il
the treaty had the meaning which the
government Of Japan ascribed 10 II. the
Government of the United States had
the constitutional power to make such
a treaty agreement with a foreign ma
ton which should be superior TO and
controlling upon the laws OF the State
OF California. A correct understanding
of that question is Of the utmost i'm
portance not merely as regards the
State of California, but as regards all
States and all citizens Of the Union.
1T has been widely asserted or as
sumed that this treaty provision and its
enforcement involved some question OF
State rights. There was and is no
question Of State rights involved, un-
less II be the question which was set
tied by the adoption OF the Constitution.
No State can set up It's laws as
against the grant Of any particular right,
privilege, or immunity any more than
against the grant Of any other right,
privilege, or immunity. No State can
say a treaty may grant 70 alien resi-
dents equality Of treatment as 70 prop
erty, but not as to education, or as to
lae exercise of religion and as 10 burial
but not as to education or as to educa-
uun but not as to property or religion.
Question of War With Japan.
1T was not question of war with
Japan. All the foolish talk about war
was purely sensational and imaginative.
There was never even friction between
the two governments.
The question was. What state Of feel
ing would be created between the great
body Of the people OF the United States
and the great body Of the people Of
Japan as a result Of the treatment given
70 the japanese IN this Country7
THE great question which oTershad-
owed all discussion Of the treaty OF 1894
was the question: Are the people Of the
United States about 20 break friendship
with the people OF Japan? That uues-
ton, I believe, has been happily an
swered IN the negative
Many representative OF foreign gov
ernments were present and listened
with deep interest to the treatment. by
one who had such an Intimate associa-
ton with the negotiations OF an inter-
national incident which held the atten-
ton of the world but short time ago.
Richard olney Speaks Tonight.
The other, or and-Administration side
OF tFe San Francisco question, may be
presented tonight when Richard Olney
viii discuss the rights OF foreigners in
the United States IN case of conflict be-
tween Federal treaties and State laws.