Amador ledger. (Jackson, Amador County, Calif.) 1875-19??, 1908-02-21
LETTER FROM
WASHINGTON
Washington, Feb. Ia.

AS far as any one knows, there is
no likelihood that there will be war
between this and any foreign nation.
Outwardly, and in the opinion of the
state department, inwardly, the re-
Iations with all other governments
are peaceful, harmonious, and practi-
cally free from friction. Neverthe-
less. rumors of possible trouble per-
sist, and while they are regarded as
distinctly the work of alarmists,
there is no disposition on the part of
the government 10 neglect any pre-
cautions which the welfare and peace
of the country can possibly require.
What is being done, and what is con-
templated, is not from fear uf attack
by any particular enemy. 1t is way
of precaution to safeguard the nation
from surprise anywhere, by any one.
OF course it is realized by the western
representatives in congress that the
Pacific coast is the least able of all
sections of the country, under pre-
sent conditions, to repel an attack IL
one should be made. 1t is therefore
urged consistently by the California
delegation that the work of perfect
ing the coast defenses be not hamper
ed by lack Of money, that the necess-
airy barracks storehouses, and other
buildings be constructed, the artillery
companies strengthened, reserves
organized, submarines built for the
protection of the coast where an
enemy might find untortltied landing
places, and money appropriated tor
the various navy yards, coaling
stations and other naval depots,
according to the requests of the
authorities whose duty is to point
out the needs of the country in those
particulars. AS man does not wait
to insure his house until he sees it on
fire, 80 a prudent nation does not
wait for a declaration of wal before
it prepares to protect it's coasts, and
a few millions expended with SEEM
ing liberality-even with prodigality
may save hundreds of millions in
property and thousands of lives. 1t
Is satisfaction to be able to state
that not only the Californians in
congress-, but the entire Pacific coast
delegation, are unit in standing for
those things which seem to them
| hn hs.i ~ hn
section of the Union from which they
come, and their influence is recogniz-
ed as one to be reckoned- with not
only in local affairs, but in all legis-
lation before congress.
One of the most important things
of the entire session is the considera-
tion of the japanese question, which
is scheduled to come up before the
foreign affairs committee of the
house on February 18th. Congress-
man E. A. Hayes of the fifth district,
as every one in California doubtless
knows, has introduced bill provid-
ing for the exclusion of Japanese
from this country, except certain
favored classes. AS a matter of fact,
the bill provides for excluding not
only Japanese-for it is not desired
by the congressman to reflect on that
nationality-but all orientals Of the
less desirable classes. The fact re-
mains that the Japanese are likely to
be chiefly affected by the bill, but
the recent influx of Hindoos shows
that there are undesirable classes in
other countries than Japan and
China, and that they may under GER
menace to the industrial system of
the United States. Mr. Hayes has
been anxious to have this bill taken
up for consideration but he has de-
ferred to the wishes of the president
and the slate department to allow the
matter to rest until the diplomatic
exchanges between this country and
japan could mature into a working
agreement on the immigration ques-
tion. That is said now to be in sight,
and the discussion of the exclusion
bill will be taken no.
The hearings will be held by a sub
committee, according to custom in
such matters, and its composition
Will he Of interest to people of the
Pacific coast. In its mem bership it is
pretty evenly divided between those
tavoring some form of exclusion,
those opposed to it, and those who
are not committed to either course.
There are three republicans, Messrs.
L L.. A.,..l.