The Washington herald., 1907-05-25
AOKI WILL GO WEST
Visit Has Direct Bearing on
japanese Exclusion.
LOOKING TO LIBERAL TREATY
Subjects of MiIxadO Already Striv-
ing 90 Secure Broad Rights for
Immigrants when Present Pact
Expires in 1011-Attitude of Seat
tie, Portland, and Los Angeles.

Viscount Aoki. the Japanese Ambassa-
dor. and several members Of the embassy
staff. will leave Washington about the
middle Of next month for a tour of sew
eral weeks on the Pacific Coast.
The object Of the visit has direct
bearing on the question of japanese eX-
clusion in the United States, and on the
renewal of the treaty of commerce and
navigation now in force between this
country and Japan. The Ambassador
who is presumably not acting In the
matter without the wishes or sanction OF
his government, purposes to find out for
himself what the character of the oppo-
sition is on the Pacific Coast against the
admission of japanese laborers to this
country.
Tho japanese question, which was
burning matter last winter when Presi-
dent Roosevelt interfered with the course
that the San Francisco school authorities
were taking in regard TO the education
OF japanese children there, will certainly
recur at no distant date and there Is
reason TO believe that the Tokyo govern
AltllL may AibA etSsttltii fAlA 'tNAN~'NA'
acqulescence, as was the case during the
negotiations a few months ago.
Wants More Liberal Treatment.
While it is true that Japan assented to
the Presidents wish that the then pending
immigration bill should provide for the
exclusion OF japanese laborers from the
United States. it is by no means certain
that it will permit an exclusion feature
to be incorporated in formal treaty be-
tween the two countries.
The present treaty will expire In July,
1911 and, although that date is somewhat
remote, a campaign has already been
started among organizations Of japanese
residents on the Pacific Coast looking
toward a renewal Of the liberal provisions
OF the present convention in regard 70 the
admission Of immigrants from Japan.
They have recently sent representatives
to Washington to talk with Ambassador
Aoki, with President Roosevelt. Secretary
Root, Secretary Straus, and other high
government officials. These japanese
have borne letters from some of the most
prominent American citizens IN the Coast
cities. backing up their statements 70 the
Ambassador and 20 the President that
the much-exploited opposition 10 Japa-
nese in that region centers I'm and is al
most exclusively confined TO the trades
unions Of San Francisco, and 10 the ring
Of indicted municipal officers in that city.
seattle Friendly to Japanese.
The representatives OF japanese associa-
tlons in Seattle, Portland, and Los An
geles have been supported in their work
here by letters, kilograms. and indorse-
ments Of various kinds from chambers Of
commerce and other public organizations
In those cities. In Seattle the japanese
laborer is welcomed, and the better class
OF japanese take a prominent part in
public affairs. -Four or five Of their num-
ber are invited to every large public din
ner, and there is an almost entire absence
OF class distinction i'm Seattle's treatment
Of the japanese. In Portland there Is no
anticipates feeling worthy Of the name
During the height Of the San Francisco
school controversy. and while the indicted
mayor of that city was on his way 70
Washington I'm response 10 President
Roosevelt's invitation. the Los Angeles
Chamber Of Commerce telegraphed 10 the
President that the people of that city did
not sympathize with attacks on japanese
residents.
japan Weakens In Its Attitude.
The present treaty between the United
States and Japan. which viii expire four
years from now. provides for the most
liberal treatment Of japanese immigrants.
The fact was recognized by William r.
Day. when he was Assistant Secretary Of
State, in a letter saying, by article !
Of that convention, the subjects of Japan
are given full liberty to enter, travel, or
reside in. any part of the territories Of
the United States"
This article was practically nullifed by
Japans informal assent to the immigrant
legislation enacted by Congress last win
ter: but there is nothing binding about
the agreement which was entered into
thus informally at the instance Of Presi-
dent Roosevelt 1t has lately been repre-
sented that the government Of Japan has
weakened on the question of excluding
japanese of the laboring class from the
United States, and that the coming new
treaty will. if Japan has its way, insist
upon liberal treatment TO which no such
exception or notification as that effected
by the recent immigration act will be per
mittcd. The trip which Ambassador
AOki is about to make 10 the Pacific
Coast lends color 20 this statement.