Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-01-09
THE JAPANESE COOIIE LABOR
PROBLEM.

While the attention of the American
public has lately been directed almost
exclusively to the Dominion phase of
the Japanese problem owing to fresh
race demonstration in Vancouver. 1t
ia 10 secret that the Japanese situa-
ton is assuming a phase which is
causing no little concern in Washing
ton. Word now comes from the ma
tional capital to the effect that the
pledges Of the japanese government to
restrict the emigration of coolic labor
ers from the Island Empire" to the
United states. are being violated, and
inasmuch as the diplomatic represent
tatives of the two governments have
been unable to agree in relation 20
treaty provisions on this subject. 1t
is easy to see that unless agreement is
reached in relation to exclusion. there
may ensue serious trouble.
1t is to be noted in this connection
that the Japanese problem confronting
to our own. and this consideration will
necessarily count in the direction OF
peace. In spite of the alliance exist
ing between Japan and Great Britain,
the British would unquestionably he
| found acting with Americans in any
controversy over the exclusion. OF
tb4
mer two countries relates entirely 10
| their mutual interests in Asiatic terri
| tory, and so long as no question in
| that direction is involved. both gov
crnments are free to act rs they sec
| nt
| The latest developments in our
Japanese problem are as bothersome
as they are unexpected. Last spring
| the japanese government notified
Washington that it had adopted n
means of keeping it's coolies out Of
America by refusing to issue pass
ports to this class Of subjects desiring
to come to the United States. 1t was
announced that this policy would
solve the immigration problems and
render unnecessary legislation on the
part Of this country which might lead
| to friction This plan was highly
pleasing to the Roosevelt administra-
ton. but developments have shown
that the Japanese government was
either insincere in its promise or is
unable to check the tide of coolies tn
our shores.
| According to official immlgrat ton
statistics for October, the latest month
for which figures are available, the in
nux OF japanese was double that for
the corresponding month of last year
During October. 1906, only GS4 Japs
were admitted while in October Of last
year 1916 were passed, This does not
include a horde of the Mikado's sub
jects that slipped over the Canadian
and Mexican borders.
| Secretary Root has found il neces-
sary twice to call the attention OF the
japanese authorities to the unsatis
factory immigration statistics. The
tone of his latest note on this subject
Is said to have been decidedly stiff He
Is reported to have specific evidence
that japanese consular officers ir
Hawaii have been furnishing pass
ports for their countrymen bound FOL
our shores. These passports enable
their holders to evade the exclusive or
} der which prohibits the entrance OF
Japanese subjects not provided Will
credentials from their government
Present Indications are that Japan!
promise to restrict emigration war
made simply to prevent this countr,
from adopting more rigorous UxcAusior
measures. and In this direction liel