New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-19
PASS EXCLUSION BILL.
Continued from first page.

of Japanese laborers. skilled and unskilled and
our entire willingness and desire that Japan
should similarly put a stop to the going of
American laborers skilled and Unsked, to
Japan springs from no motive other than TO
bring about commercial and industrial Condi-
lions to the satisfactory understanding of the
two friendly nations.
Events have convinced us. however that
many and probably most Of the Japanese Ia
porers who come htther are really brought over
10 this country III violation Of the contract labor
law, and that the wellbeing of our wage
workers imperatively demands that immigra
ton of Japanese Iaborers to this country, skilled
and unskilled, shall cease. There are other coun-
tries' as we'll as Japan. to which we feel that in
all probability there will have to be similar
legislation owing to the fact that are con-
Vlnced that the laborers who come here from
these countries also really come in violation of
the contract labor law. We have every reason
TO believe that the administration now shares
and that Congress will share our of look
street.-the cessation Of the immigration of Japan
csc laborers, skilled and unskilled. to this coun-
try-will he speedily achieved.
PRAISE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION.
A striking proof Of the attitude Of the adj
mnstration. their willingness to meet our de-
sire and yet at the same time to do II IN
way which will be compatible with continuing
on terms of genuine friendship with Japan, IS
shown by the passage of the immigration bill,
which will bar out Japanese coming hther by
way of Hawaii, Mexico, Canada and the canal
zone by enforcing the limitations which Japan
voluntarily puts into the passports issued by
her government. More than two-thirds Of the
japanese ldbOTerS who come hither come from
HaWal. Mexico and Canada, and in our JUG
ment almost all so coming really reach these
shores in violation of the contract labor law.
although such fact would be well nigh impos-
sible to prove in a court OF law.
We satisfied from numerous inter
views with the President that in the event that
the amendment to the immigration bill. intro
duced in both houses of Congress Of the United
States on February IL, 1907 shall prove In
efectual for the purposes herein mentioned ana
intended. every effort will be made by him not
only to obtain treaty with Japan authorizing
legislation by both Japan and the United states
TO exclude from each Of theiS respective terri
tories the immigration of all subjects of the
other of said nations who are lahorers, skilled
and unsked, but in any event will favor such
form of legislation that will in the most speedy
manner accomplish the results desired. That
the national government has no purpose what
ever TO attempt TO infringe upon the rights OF
California as a sovereign state. and that the
purpose Of the administration Of the national
government was merely 10 fulfil hounden duty
10 a friendly nation with which II had treaty.
to ascertain a matter of international comfy
ana courtesy whether or not by the true con-
structiOn of that treaty such right or rights had
been accorded 10 the subjects of Japan. In
view of our numerous interviews with the
President and our understanding thereof,
feel that the question whether the right at issue
not given by treaty has been passed
and has been absolutely eliminated from this
controversy, and the proposition involved is one
Of comfy and public policy.
Such being the case, fully In accord
with the view of the administration to the et,
feet that the attainment of the exclusion Of all
japanese laborers, skilled and unsked, should
not be complicated with or endangered by the
exercise of the right Of segregation by the school
board authorized by Section 662 Of the polit-
cal code of the State Of California.
AS a condition 10 the modification Of said reso-
luton, respectfully insist that the legal pro-
ceedings heretofore instituted be dismissed forth
with and that IL IS expressly understood THAI
we have not conceded and do not concede or in
tend TO concede that our action was in violation
Of any OF the stipulations of the treaty between
the United States and Japan but the con-
trary we do claim and assert that II any stpu-
lation in said treaty contained is inconsistent or
conflicts with the power and authority given by
Section 1862 Of the political code of the State
of California, then far said treaty at
tempts TO CirCumsCribe or prevent the Board OF
Education from regulating its own school af-
fairs an exercise Of local police power. such
provisions IN said treaty are nugatoTy and void.
Pursuant TO the foregoing statement II Is
proposed by the Board Of Education of the city
and county Of San Francisco 10 modify the or
der segregating the Japanese public school chill
dren Of san Francisco heretofore made by the
resolution of said board. adouted on October II
1906. by amending said resolution to read IN
words and figures as follows. TO wit.
Section children OF all allen races VINO speak
the English ianguagee, In order 70 determine the
enrolled must first be examined their
where the application FOR enroifnent sdail have
Sec. 2-That no child Of alien birth over the ages
OF nine ten. eleven twGlyfS thrteen, fourteen hfs
the first second third fourth ffth sixth seventh
or eighth grades respectively
Sec. 3-If said alien children shall be found deli
Client IN their ability to speak or deficient in the
elements Of the English language or Unable to at
the restrictions mentioned therein. such children
Classes established exclusively for such children as
and In the manner the Board OF Education shall
This is only temporary agreement. Presi-
dent Roosevelt has given US direct and positive
assurances that he will at once begin negotia-
lions with Japan for the purpose of bringing
about new treaty that viii exclude Japanese
Iaborers. skilled and unskilled from continental
United states.