Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-11-21
JAPS TO LIMIT EMIGRATION
Recognizes Difficulties Besetting
United States and Canada.
STATESMEN HOLD TO THIS VIEW
Passion, Race Prejudice, International
Politics and Economic Problems
Play Part in Present
situation.

TOXIC, Nov. ss.-whue there has been
no further ofhoial action in connection with
the immigration Of Japanese to Canada
and the United States, indications point
to the conclusion that the government of
japan probably is ready to admit that the
arguments presented by Ambassador
O'Brien require immediate attention. There
Is reason to expect that after the arrival
of Baron Ishii, 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
bounds desired by both the United States
and Canada.
Canadian Commissioner Of Labor Le-
mieux, who is here actively investigating
the subject, has made no formal proposal,
but It is understood that he has plainly
indicated that a prompt curtaIlment Of the
number Of emigrants is necessary IL japan
is sincerely desirous of assisting its ally
in order to avoid a serious complication
with a British colony.
Emigration to he Limited.
An editorial in the Jill, which is believed
to sometimes be inspired by the japanese
Foreign office, says that presumably Min
lister Lemieux comes to Japan asking for
the elimination of immigration to Canada.
The editorial continues:
I'VE naturally are a peace-loving ma
ton and II the immigration Of Japanese
into Canada endangers the public peace
we will not hesitate to absolutely forbid
emigration to that country. The Japanese
government is trying to limit emigration
| according to law, and we hope that the
Canadian government will generously as
slst us in reaching a solution of the prob
lem. Race hatred is discreditable to Can
ada We believed that Japanese immi-
grants would tend to promote the welfare
Of Canada by developing its resources,
but II the peace is disturbed 1t is better to
altogether prevent our people frSm emil
grating"
Count okuma, the veteran statesman,
who is one of the main leaders of the
opposition party and the greatest demo-
crat in Japan, hitherto outspoken in op.
position to the government policy of par
tial restriction Of emigration, when in
terviewed by a representative of the AS
ISOLATED Press said that the Japanese gov
ernment probably should assist America
at time when prejudice well as po-
| litcal and economic conditions render the
emigration Of Japanese to that country
| inexpedient
Popular Passion Hard to Control.
The count said he recognized the fact
there are times when justice and reason.
which desire to attain the highest ideals
of civilization, are unable 10 control pop
ular passion. Therefore, II 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 civiliza-
ton," said Count Okuma, ut Is unreason-
able for one country to close its doors to
people who desire to learn from America,
as we have learned for the last fifty years.
but we have no doubt that passion race
prejudice, international politics and econ
omic problems are all playing a part in
the present agitation. A man like Presi-
dent Roosevelt, possibly, is wise to advo-
cate the further restriction of immigra-
tion during the present depressed condition
Of America, but Japan will feel keenly the
discrimination II congress had barred 10
the east, while opening them to thousands
OF Europeans every week. believe, how
ever, the friendship between Japan and
America is based on a foundation so firm
that It cannot be undermined by the i'm
migration problem, while the statesmen
of both countries remain reasonable"
Count Okuma said that the American
feet would be welcomed heartily by Japan
because its visit would tend to bring the
people OF these nations closer together. He
desired the Associated Press to say that
the people of Japan had never accepted
the possibility OF war between the two
countries, and asserted again his firm con.
viction that. eventually, the sense OF
justice Of the American people would per
/ fvy,p -
class Of japanese who went to America
to profit by the advanced system of teach
ing procurable there.