Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1907-02-19

TO the Japanese school question has
been misunderstood and misconstrued
as an attack upon the japanese as
such and that this misunderstanding
and mlsconsUruction mas been and now
is one of the chief obstacles to achiev-
ing the purpose California really has
in view. this purpose being 10 secure
by an honorable and amicable agree
ment with the japanese for the mutual
exclusion from the two countries of
laborers. skilled and unskilled. of each
country.
This is the earnest desire of the
people of California and we add i'm our
belief. the people of the entire Pa
| cific coast. to check the coming of
Japanese labOrers. and our entire
| willingness and desire that Japan
should similarly put q stop to the go
ing OF American laborerss skilled and
| unskilled. to Japan. springs from no
motive other than To bring about COM
mercial and industrial conditions to
I the satisfactory understanding of the
two friendly nations.
Events have convinced US. how
ever. that many and probably most
81 the japanese laborers who come
here are really brought to this coun-
try in violation of the contract labor
laws and that the well-being Of our
wage workers imperatively demands
| that the immigration OF japanese Ia
bo:crs shall cease.
we are satisfied from our numer-
| Gus interviews with the president that
in the event that the amendment to
the immigration bill shall prove inef-
fectual for the purpose herein men
toned and intended. every effort will
be made by him not only To obtain a
treaty with Japan authorizing legisla-
tion BY both Japan and the United
States to exclude from each country
the immigration of all subjects Of the
other said nation who are labOrers.
skilled and unskilled. but in any event
viii favor such form Of legislation as
win in the most speedy manner ac-
complish the results desired.
The national government has no
purpose whatever to attempt to in
fringe upon the rights of California
as a sovereign state and the purpose
Of the national government was mere
/ ~ TO fulfill its bOunden duty to a
friendly nation with which it had a
I treaty. to ascertain as a matter of in
ternatiOnal comfy and courtesy when
ever by true constructor Of that
treaty such rights had been accorded
TO the subjects Of Japan.
We are fully in accord with the
view OF the administration to the ef-
feet that the attainment of the exclu-
sion Of all japanese laborers should
not be complicated or endangered by
the exercise OF the right or segrega-
ton by ;he school board authorized by
section 1862 OF the political code of
the state OF California.
AS a condition TO the modification
Of the resolution we respectfully in
siSt that the legal proceedings hereto
fore instituted be dismissed forthwith
ard il is expressly understood that We
have not conceded and do not concede
or intend To concede that our action
was in violation Of any stipulatiOns in
the treaty between tine United States
and Japan but on the contrary We do
claim and assert that if any stipula-
ticn IN the treaty is insistent or con-
flcts with the power and authority
given by that section of political code.
so far as said treaty attempts to cir
cumscribe or prevent the board Of edu-
cation from regulating our own school
affairs. as an exercise Of police power.
such provisions in the treaty are nuga-
tory and void.
1T therefore is proposed b. the
board of education of San Francisco
TO modify the order segregating the
japanese public school children Of san
Francisco heretofore made"
The state department since the pass
age today of the immigration bill is
prepared 70 take up again the negoti-
ations already in progress with the
japanese government looking to a re-
gulation of japanese immigration. II
is expected that the negotiations will
result in an agreement between the
United States and the japanese for
Withholding by the former of passports
to the japanese Of the labOring class
seeking TO enter the United States.
For several years the japanese gov
erEmcrt has declined to issue any
such passports but the intention is to
make this matter n formal agreement
If possible.
In the short time remaining of the
present session Of congress il is not
possible il IS said to frame anything
in the nature of a treaty which would
require the action of the senate. In
fact it is by no means certain that a
formal convention is necessary to in
sure the continuance of the present
japanese policy of refusing passports
10 the United States to coolies. so it
may be decided to give this agreement
another form than a treaty.
The department Of commerce and la
Dor in charge of immigration will at
once upon the signature of the immi-
grafton bill proceed to instruct the
collectors at the various ports of entry.
Of the restrictions placed upon the
admission of immigrants by the new
act No mention is to be made of Jap
anese laborers but the collectors will
be enjoined to enforce the passport
provisions. and act which will meet