The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1907-10-18
TAFT INSIST
ON EXCLUSION

WASHINGTON, Oct. 5.-There Is
good reason to believe that the Japa-
nese government is now informed of
the resolute purpose OF the United
States to exclude Japanese laborers as
peace measure as well as for the
welfare OF the country.
Ii has been learned that II was a
part OF Secretary Taft's duty in visit
ing Japan to make the government
leaders there acquainted with the con-
clusion that has been reached by the
United States government, which Is
that exclusion must be accomplished.
The president and the cabinet are con-
WINGED that disturbances would occur
on the Pacific coast II the Japanese
were not excluded and they fear such
a state of affairs would lead TO serious
friction with Japan.
1t is now understood that Secretary
Taft was instructed by the president
TO make strong plea for an eNciu-
sion treaty as the best means OF avoid
ing friction. He was instructed, II he
found the japanese officials obdurate
on the treaty proposal, TO inform them
that the United states in its firm pur-
pose of preserving peace would be COM
PEELED 10 exclude japanese laborers by
act of Congress.
According TO information now vouch-
safed by high authority it was the
presidents desire TO convey tactfully
through Secretary Taft the final de-
termination of the administration,
,, S,1, F,-Sa h.ar . ~
the races by keeping them apart. Dis
agreeable as the task was Secretary
Taft assumed it, and from all that can
be learned he has discharged it with
skill.
The medium of communication on
the japanese side was General Terau-
chi, minister of war. He and Secre-
tary Taft are personal friends and have
had occasion heretofore 10 exchange
condolences involving government mat
tiers in the Philippines, Nagasah and
elsewhere.
During his stay in Toxic. Secretary
Taft was entertained by General Te-
rauchi and spent much of one day in
with other japanese officials, but the
TSIA BUSINESS OF his CIEG1lu was lIduS-
acted with General Terauchi.
The indications in Washington are
that the president and the cabinet are
well pleased with Secretary Taft's sue
cess. The public expressions in Japan
are all favorable and there is reason
for asserting that Taft's private re-
ports are of the same tenor. A cable
dispatch from Toxic reports that an
official understanding was reached.
which. while not completely disposing
Of the question at issue, pointed the
way toward a solution of il. When
this dispatch was shown to an author
ity here today he indicated that an IN
Outstanding might have been reached
whereby Japan, if it did not agree to
an exclusion treaty, would undertake
to prevent any japanese outcry
against an exclusion act by Congress.
The essence of the understanding, of
course, is the japanese acknowledg-
ment that the exclusion of japanese
laborers from the United States is i'm
perative if race riots and national pas
sions are TO be avoided.
Secretary Taft is TO be credited with
having brought this home to the Jap
anese government in such fashion as
to leave no doubt of the firmness of
the American position, while at the
same time avoiding any offense. The
intimation in high quarters today was
that the japanese exclusion policy
would be perfected during the coming
winter. either by treaty negotiations or
by an act of Congress with the ac-
Quiescence of Japan.