The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1909-07-16

WASHINGTON, June 26.-Baron Ko-
goro Takahira, the Japanese Ambassa-
dor, will not spend this summer in |
America, but, accompanied by the Ain-
bassadress, will proceed to Toxic. 1t !
is expected he will return to Washing
ton in the fail.
Baron Takahira's visit to his home
is important to the peoples of both ma
tions since it will give him an oppor-
tunity to confer with Marquis Katsura,
the Premier of the empire and Count
Komura, Minister for Foreign Affairs,
in relation to the negotiations to oc-
cur respecting the revision of the Unit
ed States treaty of 1894. This treaty
entered into effect in 1899 and VIII
expire by limitation next year. 1t is
identical in many respects with trea-
/ ties in force with all the Western
Powers. all of which Japan proposes
= to revise in order to meet tn eneW
conditions that has developed as a re-
suit of her industrial and commercial
progress and the higher position she
has taken in the council of the world
as a result of her victory over Rus
STA. 1t became evident to the author
tiles at home that it was Impossible
TO get in thorough touch with Amerl-
can sentiment and satisfactorily to ad-
wise and instruct the Ambassador as 10
their attitude without personal con-
ference. Hence Baron Takahlra mas
been ordered to abandon his plans 10
remain in the United States, but 10
take advantage of the vacation season
to visit Japan The Ambassador Will
sail from Seattle next month.
The feature of the negotiations
which especially is matter OF con-
Germ with the Japanese government, Is
the proposed elimination from the
treaty of the provision granting to the
United States authority to regulate the
immigration of Japanese laDorers'
There is no desire on the part OF Japan
TO secure from this country an open
door for the admission of her supJects'
On the other hand, she is fully in sym
nathv with the wish of the American
neople to prevent friction by keeping
her laboring classes at home, finding IN
Korea, which is under her protectlon'
and in Southern Manchuria, a more
satisfactory outlet for their Welfare
and operations. To testify to her pur-
nose to meet the views of this govern
ment. japan entered into what mas
aptly ben termed "a gentleman
agreement" whereby she announced
that no more laborers would be permit
ted to leave for Hawaii or continental
United States.
Prior to this agreement Japan had
acouiesced in a measure passed by Con-
gress whereby Japanese would be re-
fused admission if unprovided with
nassports. AS a result of the enforce
ment of the "gentleman's agreement
the immigration of laborers from Japan
has ceased. During the year ending
June 30, 1908, more than 16,4OO Japa-
nese were admitted Since last July
only $3.50 Japanese have entered this
country, and they were travellers, stu
dents. merchants, etc. In word, not
a single japanese of the class consider,
ed Objectionable on the Pacific slope
has entered the United States. There
has been some smuggling of such per
sons, but the immigration Bureau
now claims that the measures taker
have brought this practice to an end
Six thousand Japanese have returned
: home, so that there has been an &C
tual decrease in the number of these
people in the United States.
These figures, are regarded by the
officials here as complete evidence o
the observance of the gentleman
agreement by Japan. 1t makes thu
task of revision easier, since once tn'
pople of the Pacific Slope are con
WINGED that Japan will not permit he
subjects of the laboring class to COM
to America, it is not expected they viii
have any strong objections to max
against the elimination of the proyi
sion of inferiority with other great ma
tions. In American conventions will
European States the question of wha
5 classes of immigrants shall be admit
ted does not enter. To them is apphe'
l. the general immigration law, which il
9 itself authorizes the exclusion of per
sons considered unsatisfactory for re
sidence in the United States. Japal
wants this and nothing more. In othe
words, she wants to be placed upol
the same plane with other states
= President Taft and Secretary Knox ap
= preciate Japan's attitude, and in tn
q negotiations will seek to reach a so
luton which will be satisfactory Il
I both countries.
In this work it is imperative tina
, the representatives of Japan shall b.
fully alive TO the sentiment of tn
r American government and people
t Baron Takahira is fully posted in thi
connection. He first came to tn,
TTnited States as Minister in 1900 II,