The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-01-31
CONFER ABOUT JAPS
CalifOrnianS Meet President
at the White House.
MUCH SECRECY IS OBSERVED
OmcIaI Statement Only Says Golden
state school OmciaIs Have Been
Indications that OrientaIs Are Be
ing Landed as Contract Laborers.

The japanese school question in San
Francisco was discussed at a pre-aTrauged
conference at the White House late yes
terday afternoon between President
Roosevelt, Secretary Root. Secretary Met
calf, and all the members OF the Califor-
MIA delegation In Congress. Both the Sen
ators from California and an the members
OF the House delegation have been against
the President in his japanese policy, and
some of them have reflected the bitter
feeling that has been MANIFESTED among
the people of the Pacific Coast. not only
in California. but in Oregon. Washington,
and other States
This conference, however. was OF an en-
tirely amicable nature. and was conducted
from beginning 70 end in the spirit of
compromise.
The details Of what took place are
guarded with much secrecy. and before
the Senators and Congressman left the
Presidents Office they bound themselves
10 say nothing about the meeting beyond
brief statement that was drawn I'D TO-
ward the close OF the conference, and
agreed to by all present II was minated
that the discussion had 90 do with nego-
tiati0ns between this country and Japan,
and that the japanese government felt
obliged % insist upon secrecy in the nego-
tiations. and regarding the proposition
which, il is understood. has already been
proposed or agreed 10 by that government.
That the proposed arrangement has some
thing to do with the restriction OF Japan
csc immigration to this country by the ac-
tive cooperation OF the Tokyo government
( there is little doubt
Official Statement Given out.
The officially prepared statement given
out az the close Of the White House con
/ ference Is as follows:
THE California delegation has had a
very full and harmonious discussion with
/ the President, the Secretary of State, and
/ the Secretary Of the Navy on the various
questions relating 90 the japanese on She
[ Pacific Coast. The character Of the dis
cussiOn leads us to feel confident that O.
solution will De reached satisfactory 20 all
/ concerned. one result Of the meeting is
/ that the delegation has teIegraphed 90 the
president of the board of education OF
I
schools 10 come 10 Washington for con
I ference with us. and with The President
/ and the Secretary OF state"
I Although O IS statement appears on its
face 90 represent the expression of tine
California delegation. il was said that the
matter was prepared in the PRESIDENTS
Office and was 10 be- regarded as the
views Of the President and all others who
. f..l g..aF r. frl u.r. Fg-.rrr
Negotiate New Treaty.
It is further learned that President
/ Roosevelt is preparing 10 negotiate "a new
commercial treaty with Japan. This IS
/ made necessary because the present con-
veutiUn, under which the japanese claim
/ a right 10 enter the public schools. ex-
/ pires by limitation ora March Z next II
+ "a new treaty can be- arranged In time for
I approval before Congress adj0urns the
+exclusion of Japanese coolies VIII be in
I Guided i'm it, otherwise. such exclusion
must be accomplished by imperial edict
until treaty is promulgated.
/ Exclusion on any basis is acceptable
+ 10 the japanese authorities, who desire
that their people shall settle in Man
Churia rather thar come 90 this country.
contract fsibfpE Inv IN AtAh-eE
/ What is accepted ny the authorities Of
\ the Department OF Commerce and LJt5r
+ as conclusive. though not legal evidence
that the great majority Of the japanese
/ recently landed from the steamships Ala
media and Korea, az san Francisco, We're
/ brought 20 the United States IN violation
/ Of the contract labor laws was resolved
+ here yesterday from II. H. North, the
immigration commissioner ut san Fran
cisco. His conclusion is that practically
an these japanese. some three OF four
f hundred in number. were recruited in
Japan by the so-a5iled Inmin Kaisha, or
/ immigration agencies" He continues:
The japanese claimed that in con-
sidcratiou Of the payment to these agcn-
cies OF a specified sum OF money, their
passports are procured from the JapJ-
. ncse government, permitting them Go a.
part from Japan for the purpose O. visit
ing Hawaii only. that tickets To Hawaii
are furnished md hey are guaranteed
work either in the Hawaiian lslanGs en-
I in some cases on the mainland q the
United States, for period of from one to
three years