The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-07-05
Bold Stroke Of PreSi-
dent Will Please
CalifOrnianS.
Japan Believed to I'm
derStand Motive of
Transfer.

By the single bold stroke of
ordering Americas splendid
battleship feet to the Pacific,
President Roosevelt is set
ting three questions of the
utmost gravity and difficulty.
They are:
The japanese immigration
problem on the Pacific coast
Of this country;
The uncomfortable inter
national questions between
the United States and Japan;
and
He is finally and definitely
serving notice on the whole
world that the United States
will be second to no power IN
the Pacific, and in its relation
to future Pacific trade devel-
Opment.
Affects California Situation.
1t is now recognized, in view Of
the simultaneous announcements at
Oakland and Oyster Bay, that the.
battleship feet is TO 90 10 the Pa
clfic, that this move has a great
deal to do with the California stu
alton.
In brief. sending the feet IS the
quid pro quo which the Pacific
coast receives in consideration Of
an arrangement by which Senator's
and Representatives from that sec
ton viii permit the ratification OF
a treaty with Japan looking 10 the
preclusiOn Of japanese Iaborers
from the United States.
Ratification Heretofore Doubtful.
The coast and mountain sentiment has
been SO bitterly opposed 10 settlement
Of this question along the lines laid
down by the immigration law OF last
spring, and contemplated IN tho -czotsa-
tons now in progress between this -coun--
try and Japan. that it has been for a
long time apparent that ratification OF
such treaty would be very doubtful.
the Pacific coast has felt that the
Washington Administration is unfrfend-
" to II and unable 10 understand its
attitude toward the Japanese issue
Consequently, nothing could possibly
have so we'll served 10 placate coast
sentiment. 10 convince the coast OF thu
entirely sympathetic attitude OF the Ad-
minlstration. tnan sending the feet 10
Pacific waters. Il IS the most substan-
taI evidence that could have been
given, Of q determined purpose TO make
no concessions &c japan or any other
nation. which should be TO the disad-
vantage OF the Pacific States.
VIII Change Attitude.
And # will result. in the opinion OF
public men, IN an immediate and revo-
lutOnary change OF attitude on the part
OF the far Westerne-s toward Washing
ton Inc prompt conclusion OF the treaty
negotiations, and then the ratification
Of the instrument without dangerous or
lengthy fiiibusJering IN the Senate are
confidently predicted today by public
men who a week ago would have said
that the treaty was impossible
In this aspect OF the matter there is
even an impression in some quarters
that the Administration and the Jana
nese government may have had an un-
derstaDding in advance OF the announce
ment OF the fleets movement
The Washington representatives OF
the Japanese government understand
very accurately the difficulties OF Presi-
dent Roosevelt's situation. and likewise
the President is we'll informed OF the
embarrassments OF the japanese ad-
ministration, confronted BY a Vigorous
and jingoistic opposition.
In that meuacing posture OF affairs
Il is pointed out, nothing could have
been more natural than that the two
governments should have had an UNDER
standing as 70 the transfer Of the Amer
lean feet as a means TO removing op-
position to the settlement which both
earnestly desired.
Request Made by Japan.
It has developed that about the time
OF the RussO-Japanese war Japan earn
estly solicited the United States Cow
ernment TO leave in Oriental waters the
considerable naval force which was
SIO.s5 to Saratoga Springs