New-York tribune., 1908-01-22
Japan MEETS CANADA.
cuECK ON EMIGRATION.
Mr.. Lemieur Announces ETcIusiOn
of Contract Ldborers.

Ottawa. Jan. 2L-POstmaster General Le-
,,ieux in the House to-day made a report on
his recent mission TO Toxic. Mr.. Lemieux said
mat as a result of his negotiations with the
Jsuanese government an effective check had
been put on the emigration of the japanese
from Hawaii to Canada and that he had
oeived assurances that the japanese govern
rnent was not only anxious TO meet Canada's
wishes in the matter Of restricting direct emf
grafton but regarded such emigration
economic loss tc Japan, whose policy OF colo
nizarion was confined to Corea and Manchuria-
Mr.. Lemieux briefly stated the causes OF anti
japanese feeling in British Columbia which
eliminated in the riots there and reviewed the
various treaties and conventions with Japan
A treaty signed by Great Britain in 1894 was
not put into effect as far as Canada was con-
oerned. until 1905, and this treaty modi-
fed by 4 special convention signed In Toxic in
1906 and sanctioned by the Dominion Parlia-
ment in 1907.
BY article / of this treaty the japanese received
unequivocally the same rights any British
subject in Canada. and the real cause of the
recent agitation the broad Interpretation
OF this article by some enterprising emigration
companies 1t was on the faith of q tacit under
standing with Japan that the latter would re-
strict emigration that Parliament gave its sane
tion 10 the treaty.
Mr.. Lemieux then gave figures 10 show that
IS soon as the treaty had been signed an inces-
SAINT tide OF eTnigrants poured into British Co
Iurrbia from Japan and Hawaii The japanese
government was not responsible for that lnInA'
he said No charge OF bad faith could be maoe
against them. The emigration companies were
chiefly responsible.
Mr.. LeTnieux then dealt with pubic opiiio"
IN Japan. Being proud and sensitive people
~ -F7a Ian
DAYS racial preiudices would last 1ofeNei'
Tanan held that her standards or clV1ilZaI'04
were on a par with those Of western ii7'ioAs'
and the. crux OF their grievances asA4i-0
or1v Canada but the United states was 'H@'
America admitted emigrauts 1Ionl Eui 0Ue
shut the door on japanese Thls' 'fses ie1u' "%o
= eaeranr coutravention Of the treaty in whtch
ho,- had guarantees Of the treatment accorded
>, suh;acts Of all other countries. They re-
,-5a5 Il as an aspersion on their nationality,
and would not be satisfied until the discT1rnlna-
t.on was abolished. Mr.. Lemieuz continued
Let me now refer 10 the negotiations so far
ss I am authorized TO make them PUBIC BUT
one must bear in mind that the Quesuon al
ts1,a Sc ore e1fecting not only Canada, but also,
as a result Of the Anglo-Japanese alliance, the
British Empire itself. l an, therefore, noL as s
liberty 10 diTulge commences allo ooC1-ileH'7 VI
ask Parliament TO trust the representatives
of Great Britain and Canada In thls 11la0ser
-Tl7a ,--fr+en assurance have received from the
Minister Of Foreign Affairs that Japan will in
TIE future restrict her emigration 70 CANADA Is
the best evidence that the new arrangement IS
OF q satisfactory and permanent basis
The document containing this assurance is
dated at Toxic. December %. 1907, and is signed
hy Baron Hayashf- 1t says:
IN reply 70 your note Of even date. have
the honor 20 state that although the existing
treaty between Japan and Canada absolutely
guarantees 10 japanese subjects full liberty TO
enter. travel and reside in any part OF the Do
rrnion OF Canada, Yet il is not the intention of
the imperial government to insist upon the
complete enjoyment of the rights and privileges
guaranteed by these supulations when that
would involve disregard Of special conditions
which may prevail in Canada, from time to
time. Acting in this spirit, and having particu
lar regard 70 circumstances Of recent occurrence
in British Columbia. the imperial government
have decided 10 take efficient means to restrict
emigration 10 Canada In carrying out this
purpose the imperial government. in pursuance
q the policy above stated, will give careful
consideration TO local conditions prevailing in
Canada with q view TO meeting the desires Of
the government Of the Dominion as far as IS
compatible with the spirit Of the treaty and the
dignity of the state.
Although il is not possible for me to acQufesce
IN all o- the proposals made by you behalf
If the Canadian government, ! trust that you
VIII tnd in the statement herein made proof
of the earnest desire Of the imperial government
70 promote by every means within their power
the growth and stability Of the cordial and
mutually beneficial relations which exist be
tween our countries / venture to believe also
thar this desirable result viii be found TO have
been materially advanced by the full exchange
- views which has taken place between US and
L gives ne special pleasure TO acknowledge the
obligation under which have been placed by
our frank and consideraJe explanations regard
ing the attitude and wishes Of your government
4 series Of most stringent regulations. accom-
panied by instructions addressed TO the local
governor ard 10 the consuls in Canada, accom-
panied Baron Hayashi's letter.
These regulations Mr. Lemieux could not |
make public. except 10 say they were salts
factory 70 Canada One feature was that all
immigration Of contract Iaborers, artisans in
oluded, was prohibited After all, there
were only Two choices" said Mr. Lernieux in
conclusion. Canada must abrogate the treaty
o. accept the arrangement. Exclusion would
mean a serious break in the treaty alliance be-
tHeen Canada and Japan