The San Francisco call., 1907-01-31


keeping information to
themselves, the fact has
leaked out that the relations
between the United States
and Japan have reached a
most critical stage. Ac-
cording to one of the Presi-
dents advisers, the two
countries seem to be drifting
rapidly toward war, and deft
and vigorous diplomacy
must be exercised if certain
new developments are TO be
disposed of without an eX-
plosion. An important con-
ference on the japanese
question was held today be
tween the President, Secre-
tarv Root, Secretary Met
calf and the California dele
-atiOn. Bluntly stated, the
administration is in possession Of in
formation which forces it to assume
that the japanese Government is at
tempting to withstand tremendous
pressure tending toward a rupture OF
friendly relations with the United
States.
This ominous situation in Japan is
made doubly critical by the attitude
Of the Pacific Coast. In the face of
this stubborn attitude Of the people
OF Japan and those Of California
comes the ugly rumor from Hawaii
that thousands of japanese veterans
of the Russo-Japanese war are To-
menung a movement in secret 10 Or
ganize military companies on Amer
ican soil. This information is said 10
have reached the War Department
from authentic sources. An investiga-
ton is now reported TO be on foot,
which. if ii should verify the current
report. would necessarily precipitate
crisis. At the Capitol today it was
cautiously admitted by several Sena-
tors that Secretary Taft had init
mated that the situation in Hawaii
was full of dynamite. II is significant
that the Senate without a word yes
terday increased the appropriation
for Hawaiian defenses in accordance
with Secretary Taft's request While
Secretary Taft has been busy at the
Capitol, Secretary Root and Viscount
AOki, the Japanese Embassadc-, lave
been in contereB,s trying -. reach a
basis Of adjustment Of the pending
questions.
Would Control the Influx
III has been known for some time
that the Japanese Government was
apparently ready to DO its share
toward the drafting Of treaty de-
signed TO limit or exclude the immi-
grafton Of Japanese labOrers TO the
United States. The President told
several visitors recently that if the
Pacific Coast would remove all cause
Of complaint on the school question
he could send the treaty TO the Senste
within thirty days. which would sat
isfy the coast as to controlling the
influx Of japanese laborers.
Il is now understood that the Jap
anese Government has instructed Wis
count Aod TO insist upon certain
stipulations as preliminary TO the
making of a new treaty. The most
important Of these is that the treaty
shall expressly grant TO Japanese in
the United States all rights granted
to citizens or subjects OF the most ia
vOred nation and include the privilege
Of japanese children TO attend public
schools, the privilege that is enjoyed
by children Of other aliens The ad-
ministration is greatly embarrassed
by this demand on the part Of Japan,
as it is not in a position to be GER
tain that school privileges can be
granted by treaty as against the op-
position Of a State. This question is
pending in the courts, and until IL is
decided the scope OF the Government's e
authority is unknown. Moreover, the
administration fears that II II should
win it's contention in California and
should grant school privileges 20 Jap
anese, there would be such protest
on the coast as to bring about war
The attitude of Japan on the school
question is unyielding. Viscount Hay