The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-11-20
To KEEP PEACE.
Japan lis Willing to Stop Emil
grafton to America.
Will Sacrifice Principle to
Policy in the Matter.
LIT is UNREASONABLE
Says Count Okuma for a Country
to Close Its Doors
Against Another That Desires
to Learn of 1t.

Toxic, Nov. 20.-While there has been
no further official action in connection
with the emigration of japanese to
Canada and the United States, indica-
tions point to the conclusion that the
government of Japan probably is ready
to admit that the arguments presented
by Ambassador O'Brien require imme-
diate attention. There is reason to ex-
pect that after the arrival of Baron
Ishi, chief of the bureau of commerce
of the foreign Office, who was sent to
America as a special commissioner to
inquire into the matter the Japanese
government will undertake the self
imposed task of limiting emigration
within the boundaries desired by both
the United States and Canada.
Canadian Commissioner of Labor
Lemieux, who is actively investigating
the subject has made no formal pro-
posal, but it is understood that he has
plainly indicated that a prompt cur
tailment of the humber of emigrants
is necessary if Japan is sincerely de-
sirous of assisting her ally in order to
avoid serious complication with a
British colony.
An editorial in the Jill, which is be-
lieved to sometimes be inspired by the
Japanese foreign Office says that pre-
sumably Minister Lemieux comes to
igration to Canada. The editorial con-
tinues:
I'VE, naturally, are peace loving
nation, and If the immigration of Jap
anese into Canada, endangers the pub
lie peace, we will not hesitate tS abso-
lutely forbid emigration to that coun-
try. The japanese government is try
ing to limit emigration according to
law and hopes that the Canadian gov
ernment will generously assist us in
reaching a solution of the problem.
Race hatred is discreditable to Canada. |
We believed that japanese immigrants
would tend to promote the welfare of |
Canada by developing it's resources, but
If the peace is disturbed it is better to |
altogether prevent our people from en-
igrating."
Count Okuma, the veteran statesman,
who is one of the main leaders of the
opposition party and the greatest Dem
ocrat in Japan, hitherto outSpoken in
opposition to the government policy of
partial restriction of emigration, when |
interviewed by a representative of the |
Associated Press said that the japanese |
government probably should assist
America at a time when prejudice as |
we'll political and economic condi- |
tions render the emigration of Japa- |
nese to that country inexpedient. He |
said he recognized the fact there are |
times when justice and reason, which |
desire to attain the highest ideals of
civilization, are unable to control pop /
ular passion. Therefore it became the |
part of Japan, as a friendly and peace |
loving nation, to cooperate in every |
way with the president and statesmen
of America to avoid difficulties.
From the highest standpoint of civ
said Count Okuma, sit is un-
reasonable for one country to close it's
doors to people who desire to learn t
from America, as we have learned for
the last so years, but we have no doubt
that passion, race prejudice, interna-
tional politics and economic problems |
are all playing a part in the present
agitation. A man like President Roose-
velt possibly is wise to ad-
vocate the restriction of immigration
during the depressed condition of Amer
lea, but Japan will feel keenly the dis
If congress should bar the
doors to the east, while opening them
to thousands Of Europeans every week.
/ believe, however, that the friendship
between Japan and America is based /
on a foundation so firm that it can not
be undermined by the immigration
problem, while the statesmen of both
countries remain reasonable
Count Okuma added that the Ameri-
can fleet would be welcomed heartily
by Japan, because it's visit would tend
to bring the people of these nations
closer together. He desired the Asso-
ciated Press to say that the people of
Japan had never accepted the possf-
biIity of war between the two coun-
tries, and asserted again his firm con-
viction that, eventually, the sense of
Justice of the American people would
permit the unrestrained immigration of
the class of japanese who went to
America to profit by the advanced
procurable there.