The Washington herald., 1909-01-22
PRESIDENT FEARS
BREAK With JAPAN
Trouble Over Anti-JapaneSe
Legislation on Coast.
CONFERENCE WITH SENATORS
Chief Executive Hopes TO "JOIIy
AlOngD Legislators Until Acute
Sage Is Passed-Says immigration
Is DecFeasing-WouId Give Japan
No Cause for OGense.


The highest hope Of President Roosevelt
for the prevention Of anti-Japanese legis-
lation by the legislature OF California is
that the legislators may be ''joIied along"
until the present acute stage has been
passed
That was thSsexpressson used by one
Of the Presidents visitors at the White
House yesterday. Mr.. Roosevelt believes
that hostile legislation at Sacramento
would seriously impair the friendly feel
ing between the countries. a feeling which
was only recently reafirmed N a signih-
cant manner BY the interchange Of notes,
followed by an international agreement
having all the effect OF a treaty.
The feeling at the White House yester-
day was that the legislature OF California
would defer action for the present, in &C
cordance with the earnestly expressed
wish OF the President. The California
people are being urged TO suspend judg-
ment
Talks with Legislature.
The President is asking them through
Gov. Gillett. Senator Flint, and others to
wait until events prove whether or not
the Federal authorities at Washington are
correct when they say that under the
recent agreement with Japan the immi-
grafton Of japanese into this country is
decreasing 10 a marked degree.
President Roosevelt declares that there
has already been a decided falling Of IN
the number Of japanese coming 70 this
country; and now. at the critical juncture
when the state Of California threatens 20
enact an exclusion law. he urges that
action be suspended until IL can be shown
beyond question that japanese immigra-
ton is on the decline,
Senator Flint. OF California. who had
4 conference with the President yester-
day morning. az the Presidents request,
hopes action may be suspended for a
time
President Roosevelt wants the support
Of the press OF the country in his efforts
70 prevent the passage Of the anti-Japa-
nese bills now pending in the California
legislature
According 10 the administration view
point, Japan is acting in entire good faith.
and the United States IS bound IN honor
10 DO its share in the endeavor 70 main
tain friendly relations
Il is maintained by persons who are in
the confidence Of the President and who
speak with his authority that the present
situation IS OF a character which Is likely
TO lead 10 the resumption Of bitter feeling
IN Japan against the United States. pos
sibly resulting in reprisals and the abro-
cation Of the American-JapaneSe pact re-
Gently consUmmated-
Japanese RePrisaIs.
To a question as 10 what character
japanese reprisals might assume. It was
suggested that the virtual expulsion Of
all American missionaries from Japan
might be a first step in the way Of show
ing resentment. and doubtless would pro
duce a widespread feeling Of antagonism
to Japan that would intensity the seri-
BUSINESS OF the diplomatic situation
In his efforts e. bring influence 10 bear
upon the California legislature. with the
object Of preventing the enactment OF
the proposed snti-Japanese laws. the
President is sending for Senator's and
Representative from Pacific Coast States
and prominent members Of Congress from
other sections Of the country IN order 20
acquaint them with the situation and
il possible 70 obtain their help.
The President expressed willingness
and a desire TO Senator Flint to assume
part Of the responsibility which has fallen
upon Gov. Gilletts shoulders. and is
anxious 10 have the assistance Of the
Senator 10 the end that there might be
cooperation between the Federal and the
State governments % bring about an ad-
justnent which would give Japan no
cause for 0ffense-
Senator Flint DiSaErceS.
Senator Flint. IS well as other prom
inent Californ.ans. has toId the Presi-
dent fhat in spite OF the figures produced
by the Secretary Of Commerce and labor
n show that japanese cooHe immIgra-
ton into the United States has fallen of
materially. the number Of japanese who
enter this country appears TO be increas-
ing. Il is hard to convince the Califor-
mans that the figures Of the Department
OF Commerce and Labor are correct. for
they assert that they have the evidence Of
their own eyes OF a constant flow OF i'm
migration from japan into their State
Apparently President Roosevelt. while
inclined to dispute the contention of the
Californians. is willing to give some con-
sideration to what they say. for he has
made ii known that he would like 70 see
a fair trial given 10 the efforts Of Japan
10 induce its subjects 20 return home
and 10 prevent japanese emigration to
America.
Senator Fulton. Of Oregon. who was at
the White House yesterday. said there
had been no trouble in regard 10 Jana
nese in his State. where japanese and
Chinese children attend the same schools
with white children. General sentiment
in Oregon. however. he said. was that
Chinese were preferable to japanese as
residents