New-York tribune., 1907-11-21
JAPAN C0NCILIATORY.
no CHECK EMIGRATION
EUen Count Okuma FaU0rs Restric-
tionS-1 Firm Friendship.

Toxic, Nov. 20.--While there has been no fur
fher official action regarding the emigration OF
Japanese TO Canada and the United States there
are indications that the government of japan
Is ready TO admit that the arguments presented
nv Ambassador O'Brien require immediate at
.ention There IS reason to expect that after
the arrival Of NJ. Ishii the Japanese government
will undertake the self-imposed task of limiting
immigration within the bounds desired by both
the United States and Canada
Mr. Lemieux, Canadian Commissioner of
Labor. who is here actively investigating the
subject, has made no formal proposal, but it is
understood that he has plainly indicated that n
prompt curtament of the number of emigrants
IS necessary. IF Japan is sincerely desirous of
assisting her ally, in order to avoid serious
complication with British colony
An editorial in the "Jij" which is believed
sometimes to be inspired by the Japanese For
eign Office says that presumably Minister Le-
snleux comes to Japan asking for the limitation
of emigration to Canada. The editorial con-
tnues:
We naturally are a. peace loving nation, and
81 the immigration Of Japanese into Canada en-
dangers the public peace, we will not hesitate
20 forbid absolutely emigration TO that country.
The japanese government is trying TO limit emf
grafton according TO law, and we hope the
Canadian government will generously assist us
in reaching a solution of the problem Race
hatred is discreditable TO Canada. We believe
that japanese enigrants would tend to promote
the welfare of Canada by developing its re-
sources but if the peace is disturbed it Is better
altogether 10 prevent our people from emf
grating
Count Okuma, the veteran statesman who is
one Of the main leaders of the Opposition party
and the greatest democrat in Japan hitherto
outspoken I'm opposition to the government
policy of partial restriction of emigration, said
to-day that the Japanese government probably
should assist America at a time when prejudice
as we'll as political and economic conditions rem
dered the emigration of japanese to that coun-
try inexpedient He said he recognized the
fact that there were times when justice and rea-
SON which desired to attain the highest ideals
of civilization, were unable to control popular
passion, Therefore, it became the part of
Japan a friendly and peace loving nation, to
cooperate in every way with the President and
statesmen of America to avoid difficulties
Count Okuma added:
From the highest standpoint of civilization
II is unrea BILE for one country 10 closa its
lea, we have learned for the last fifty wears
but We have no doubt that passion, race preiu-
dice, international politics and economic prob
lens are all playing part in the present agita-
fion. An American like President Roosevelt
possibly is wise to advocate the further restric-
non OF immigration during the present depressed
condition of America. but Japan will feel keenly
the discrimination if Congress should bar the
doors to the East, while opening them TO thou
sands of Europeans everv week. I believe how
ever that the friendship between japan and
america is hased on foundation so firm that
u cannot be undermined by the immigrat ton
pToplen, while the statesmen of both countries
remain reasonable.
count Okuma added that the American fleet
would be welcomed heartily in Japan because
Its visit would tend to bring the people Of these
nations closer together. He desired The Asso-
GATED Press to that the people Of Japan
had never accepted the possibility Of war be-
tween the two countries. and asserted again
ms hrm conviction that eventually the sense of
justice OF the American people would hermit
,he unrestrained immigration Of the class or
japanese who went to America TO profit by the
advanced teaching procurable there