The Washington herald., 1908-01-02
JAPAN Is ANXIOUS
Does Not Want America TO
Pass immigration Law.
WILL TRY TO KEEP COOLIES
Despite Agreement Between Two
Countries, AsiatIcs Are Coming
Here in Increased Numbers-Secre-
tary Root Called Attention that
Congress May LegisIate.

Through the American Ambassador In
Tokyo the japanese government has sent
a response to the United States to
certain suggestions made recently by
Secretary Root as "a basis for bringing
about an amicable settlement of the diff
ferences- between the two countries
The suggestions made by Secretary
Root are understood to be the outgrowth
Of reports to the immigration Bureau
that in spite OF the agreement between
Japan and the United States by which
japan was 10 restrict its coOIie immigTa-
ton to continental America. more Jap
anese coolies were entering the United
States than ever before.
The japanese government is extremely
anxious that the United States Congress
shall not pass a bill excluding Japanese
eoolie immigration. It is quite as anxious
that the proposed restrictive measures
shall be intrusted to Japan more than to
the United States for execution.
According TO the understanding here,
this government, in making known TO
Jcpan that Japanese coolies were enter
Ing Pacific Coast ports in rapidly in
creasing numbers, made a diplomatic ex-
preston of opinion that d continuation OF
this state of affairs might result in
drastic action by Congress, which would
be regretted by the Federal authorities.
Suggestion Has Borne Fruit.
There is reason TO believe that this sug-
gestiOn has borne fruit, and that Japan,
in its answer TO the American note on
the subject. has indicated an intention
to put into effect Immediately positive
measures for preventing Japanese coolies
from entering the United States.
There are. of course. several matters OF
difference between the two governments
which will require considerable exchange
OF views to obtain adjustment, but il is
said that the exchanges are being con-
Quoted in q most amicable manner, and
that everything appears 20 be favorable
fer a settlement.
The tentative agreement entered into
between the United States and Japan for
the restriction of japanese coolie immi-
grafton into the United States provided
that the Japanese government should issue
emigration passports 70 native laboTers 10
possessions of the United States which
were outside the continental boundaries.
There was no objection under this agree
ment-in fact, il was so pTOvided-fOT the
issue of passports TO coolies TO leave
Japan for the purpose Of entering Hawaii.
the Philippines, and the Panama Canal
zone.
But these passports would not permit
such coolies 30 enter the continental lin
its of the United States. japanese coolies
continue to arrive at San Francisco and
other Pacific Coast ports in increasing
number. ana complaint was made TO
Japan that the agreement was apparently
not operating successfully
Passport Idea Not Liked.
To this, Japan responded, in effect, with
the question, ''Why don't you exclude all
those japanese who do not have pass
ports to enter your continental limits p"
Apparently, however, the United States
government was not satisfied with this
suggestion. While there is no authority
for the statement, il is believed, from
what is known of the matter, that many
Of the japanese coolies bore passports
which enabled them TO enter this couu-
try; but. il this is so. there has been no
charge Of bad faith against Japan. and
there is no reason 10 believe that the
United States government was of the
opinion that japan was not endeavoring
10 live up 10 the spirit and letter Of her
agreement.
The fact remains, however, that many
japanese coolies We're getting into the
United States, and il was with a view TO
finding a more effective means Of putting
q stop to this that the Washington gov
eVnment addressed the communication 10
Japan. which has Just been answered by
that government.