The Mena weekly star., 1907-11-28

On the Subject--Count Okun1a NOW
 Favors a Partial Restriction.
 Tokio, Nov. 21--While there has been no further official action in con nection with the emigration of Japan csc to Canada and the United States, indications point to the conclusion that the government of Japan proba- bly, is ready to admit that the argu- 1 ments presented by Ambassador OBrien require immediate attention. There is reason to expect that after the arrival of Baron lshii, 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 Lemieux, who is here actively investi- | gating the subject has made no formal proposal, but it is understood that he has plainly indicated that prompt | curtailment of the number of emi- grants is necessary If Japan is sincere | ly desirous of assisting her ally in order to avoid a serious complication with British colony.
 An editorial in the Jiji, which is be- lieved to sometimes be inspired by 1 the Japanese foreign office, says that, presumably Minister Lemieux comes to Japan asking for the limitation of emigration to Canada The editorial 1 continues:
 | We, naturally, are a peace-loving nation, and if the immigration of Jap anese into Canada endangers the pub lie peace, we will not hesitate to ab- solutely 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 assist us in reaching solution of the problem. Race hatred is discreditable to Can ada. We believed that Japanese im- migrants would tend to promote the welfare of Canada by developing its resources, but if the epace is disturbed 1t is better to altogether prevent our people from emigrating."
 | Count Okuma, the veteran states man, who Is one of the main leaders of the opposition party and the great est democrat in Japan. hitherto out spoken in opposition to the govern ment 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 as poli- tical and economic conditions render the emigration of Japanese to that country inexpedient. He said he rec ognized the fact that there are times when justice and reason, which desire to attain the highest ideals of civiliza- tion, are unable to control popular passion Therefore, it became the part of Japan as 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 civilization" said Count Okuma, it is unreasonable for one country to close its doors to people who desire to learn from America, as we have learned for the last 50 years. but we have no doubt that passion, race pre- judice, international politics and econ omic problems are all playing a part in the present agitation. A man like President Roosevelt, possibly, is wise to advocate the further restriction of Immigration during the present de- pressed condition of America, but Japan will feel keenly the discrimina- ton if congress should bar the doors to the east, while opening them to thousands of Europeans every week. I believe, however, that the friendship between Japan and America is based on foundation so firm that 1t can not be undermined by the immigration problem. while the statesmen of both countries remain reasonable"