New-York tribune., 1909-02-03
THINK NEVADA'S ACT
WILL DO MUCH HARM
EFFECT OF RESOLUTIONS
ON JAPAN FEARED.
President Thinks They VIII Hamper
Him IN Efforts to ArTiUe at
Settlement. "A
rFrom The Tribune Bureau-I

washington rep. &--IQSF6 Is BTdF6
ance in administration circles over the action os
the Nevada Legislature in adopting what are
termed "famboyant resolutions urging the peO-
pie of California to pursue legislative course
inimical 10 the best interests Of their state snd
Of the nation at large. The President feels that
the course of Nevada may possibly hamper him
in mis- efforts protect California and the entire
nation, not because Nevada can exert appreci-
able influence in this country. but because IL
may be difficult for the Japanese to realize Just
how insignificant sovereign state Nevada
really IS
1t is regarded a curious anomaly that the
one state Of the Union which Just a year ago.
with the same Governor and the same Legis-
lature, was confessing itself wholly unable to
cope with a comparatively small labor difficulty
and mpIoring the continuous presence OF United
States troops in defiance Of boasted states
rights should now be clamOring nosily against
the Presidents advice to California and pratins
ostentatiously about states rights.
As IS well known, the Presidents policy with
regard TO the immigration OF japanese IS en-
bodied in the maxim. "a maximum OF effective
ness with minimum Of offence" whereas Ne
vada's policy seems to be "a minimum OF effi-
cheney with maximum Of insult" The success
Of the Presidents policy has been amply de-
n1onstrated in the diminution OF japanese 1mrnf-
grafton. which has proceeded 20 q point where
the number OF Japanese leaving NOUhNhy
now exceeds the number coming IN. In tbs
prosecution Of this policy the President has en-
listed the support OF the japanese government.
and he has done II by seeking exclusion without
reprisals. by showing proper consideration for
the feelings OF the Japanese people, while Yield
ing nothing in the protection Of the American
interests. The administration believes that the
exclusion of the Japanese has been practically
accomplished; that the legislation prohibiting
oil alien ownership Of land Is right and proper,
but that It should be phrased IN accordance with
the statute which obtains in the District OF Co
Iumbia and which reads: Providing this does
not violate treaty rights law which would be
entirely similar to that Of Japan: and finally.
the administration holds that IN the treatment
of the japanese the same courtesy should OBJ
tain as is shown to the citizens Of other nations
1t is regarded by the students OF this subject
as something more than coincidence that be-
hind the scenes in the fermentation OF anti
japanese legislation in California should be
found the owners OF certain large steamship
companies which have lost heavily Of the profits
which they formerly enjoyed from the trans
portation OF Japanese coolies. It Is matter Of
serious regret to the administration that the
control of such large interests should be In the
hands Of men who can understand no ideal other
than the dollar
The steamship owners believe that antt-Jap-
anese legislation would end the efforts Of japan
TO stop the advent Of coolies. and temporarily.
at least immigration Of japanese would IN
crease to the advantage Of the steamship lines
The President called the attention OF SONS OF
his callers to-day to the cable dispatch received
ar the Department Of State. which described the
address of Count Komura, the Minister OF For
eign Affairs. 10 the Japanese Diet. in which the
minister referred TO the traditional friendship
existing between the United States and japan
and 70 the fact that some doubt seemed stiu TO
he entertained regarding the sincerity Of the
Japanese and added that IL had therefore.
seemed advisable to conduct the recent exchange
or diplomatic notes, which he believed would
prOnnote lasting friendship and help 70 preserve
general repose in the Orient The minister said
further. referring to the unfavOrable pending
legislation in the California Legislature. thar
the imperial government. relying on the sense
of Justice OF the American people and the
friendly disposition Of the federal government is
confident that the question VIII not leaG 10 any
international complications
Contrast the infinite courtesy OF such Ian
Euaee with the bcorishness of our own Nevada
statesmen" the President is quoted as having
said 10 some of his callers. "and then tell me IL
the contrast should not bring the blush OF
shame 10 American cheeks
It is also worthy OF note that the japanese
Minister in the course Of the same address.
said referring to the Importance OF the COM
mercial and Industrial developments OF Japan:
These considerations have led the government
to follow their avoVed policy in respect to emf
grants to Canada and the United States and 10
enforce in perfect good faith the restriction on
emigration to those regions
AS throwing some light on the conduct o.
the State Of Nevada during the Goldfeld riots,
the following excerpt from the report which
Lawrence, o. Murray, Charles P Neill and
Herbert Knox Smith made 70 the President at
the time is OF interest.
We are satisfied that the county officials have
full power and authority TO keep the peace in
that county: that there are many law-aoidinS
citizens who could be employed by the Sheriff
la case of emergency. and who would make
completely effective force for the enforcement
of order Thus not only the state but the
county authorities deliberately and in writing.
refused to assume any other than passive at
titude in this matter.
There is absolutely no question that il the
State of NevadS and the County Of Esmeralda
exercise the powers at their disposal they can
maintain satisfactory order in GOldheld; that.
SO far these authorities have done nothing but
are relying upon federal aid and their attitude
now is expressly that Of refusing TO do any
thing and desiring 10 throw their own burdens
upon the federal government for the mainten-
ance of those elementary conditions OF order for
which they, and they only. are responsible