Los Angeles herald., 1909-02-09

In this language, President Roosevelt,
in long telegram to Speaker Stanton
of the California assembly, set forth
today the governments view of the
Japanese school bill.
The president states the bill gives
just cause for irritation, and that the
government would be obliged imme-
diately to take action in the federal
courts to test such legislation, because
it is held to be clearly a violation of
the treaty obligations Of the United
States.
The telegram to Speaker Stanton was
sent only after conference with SEN
ator Flint and Representative Kahn of
California, and Franklin X. Lane of
the Interstate commerce commission.
Telegram in Full
To Speaker Stanton the president sent
the following:
standing Of the federal governments S
attitude. We are zealously endeavoring
to guard the interests Of California and
of the entire west in accordance with
the desires of our western people.
by friendly agreement with Japan
we are now carrying out policy which,
while meeting the interests and de-
sires of the Pacific slope, is yet COM
patible not merely with mutual self re-
spect, but with mutual esteem and ad-
miration between the Americans and
Japanese.
1.-The japanese government is Loyalty
and in good faith doing it's part to
carry out this policy, precisely as the
American government is doing. The
policy aims at mutuality of obligation
and behavior.
Reciprocal Treatment
I'm accordance with it the purpose
is that the Japanese shall come here
exactly as Americans go to Japan,
which is in effect, that the travellers,
students, persons engaged in interna-
pleasure or study, and the like, shall
have the freest access from one coun-
try to the other and shall be sure of
the best treatment but that there
shall be no settlement in mass by the
people of either country in the other.
During the last six months under
this policy more Japanese have left the
country than have come in, and the
total number in the United States has
diminished by over 1000. These figures
are absolutely accurate and need not
be impeached.
I'm other words, if the present policy
is consistently followed and works as
well in the future as it is now all diff
ficulties and causes for friction will dis
appear, while at the same time each
nation will retain it's self-respect and
the good will Of the other.
AccompIlshes Nothing
"But such a bill as this school bill
accomplishes literally nothing whatever
in the line of the object aimed at and
gives just and grave cause for irrita-
ton; while in addition the United
States government would be obliged
49, Il = A-1.-
eral courts to test such legislation, as
we hold it to be clearly violation Of
the treaty.
ION this point I refer you to the
numerous decisions of the United
States supreme court in regard to state
laws which violate treaty obligations OF
the United States.
1.-THE legislation would accomplish
nothing beneficial and would certainly
cause some mischief and might cause
very grave mischief. In short, the
policy of the administration is to COM
bine the maximum of efficiency in
achieving the real object which the pee
pie Of the Pacific slope have at heart,
with the minimum Of friction and
trouble, while the misguided men who
advocate such action as this against
which I protest are following a policy
which combines the very minimum of
efficiency with the maximum of insult
and which, while totally failing TO
achieve any real result for good, yet
might accomplish an infinity of harm.
Can Be Changed Later
IF in the next year or two the action
Of the federal government fails to
achieve what it is now achieving, then
through the further action of the presi-
dent and congress it can be made en-
tirely efficient.
ct am sure that the sound judgment
of the people of California will support
you, Mr.. Speaker, in your efforts.
Let me repeat that at present we are
actually doing the very thing which the
people Of California wishes to be done
and to upset the arrangement under
which this is being done can do no
good and may do harm.
"If in the next year or two the figures
of immigration prove the arrangement
which has worked so successfully dur
ing the last six months is no longer
working successfully, then there would
be good ground for grievance and for
the reversal by the national govern
ment of it's policy.
But at present the policy is WORKING,