Los Angeles herald., 1909-02-09
WHY
HE INTERFERED
ROOSEVELT SENDS LENGTHY
TELEGRAM TO STANTON
EXCLUDING JAPANESE
Infinite Harm May Result from Anti
Asiatic LegisIation-Consid
Measures Direct Insult
to Friends
CONTINUED from Page One.


The subject was discussed today in
both houses Of congress and received
especial attention from members of the
California delegation.
Defended by Knowland
Representative Knowland expressed
the opinion that Senator Perkins had
not deserved the presidents censure.
He said:
Il have been inclued to uphold
the president in his efforts to bring
about an amicable settlement of the
Japanese question, but l certainly de-
plore his attack upon Senator Perkins,
and believe this is virtually the SEN
tlment Of the California delegation.
''As ranking member of the senate
committee on naval affairs no member
in congress has been stronger or more
consistent friend Of the navy than the
senior senator from California
Instead of hampering the develop
ment of the navy, he has rendered con-
splcuous service in bringing it up to
its present high standard of efficiency.
Senator Perkins, together with the
other members of the California dele
cation, has been urging for the last
two years the retention Of a formidable
fleet in Pacific waters.
If a serious situation has existed in
our relations with Japan it would ap-
pear to have been criminal to take the
entire fleet from Pacific waters The
president should be backed in his ef-
forts to settle the japanese matter by
diplomacy, but we must avoid any in
| dications of undue fear
After the conference at the White
| House Mr.. Lane said:
Statement by Lane
81 have read the presidents state
ment on the Japanese question, and !
think he is following the line of policy
that will work out for the best inter-
est of the Pacific coast. This is not a
partisan question, but one involving a
great national policy, and believe that
! only the national government can deal
| adequately with it.
ITO my personal knowledge, the
| president has been endeavoring for the
| last two years to meet the demand of
our people in the most effective man
ner. l believe his policy has been a
success thus far. 1t demands a longer
test and state cooperation is necessary
to achieve the result we all desire.
Il am in favor of the exclusion of
japanese labOrers so as to avoid an
other race question in this country,
which is inevitable if they come in.
Il think the presidents method of
| reaching this result is practical and
will prove more effective than more
! aggressive, and radical measures at
this time. AS a labor leader in San
Francisco recently said: We are in
favor of exclusion and not of reprisal.
Il am for standing by the president,
because his policy has been one of
national importance and international
good feeling
Senate Discusses 1t
Under the guise of considering the
nOmln9 tIOn n
collector Of customs at Charleston, S.
c., the senate in executive session dis
| cussed the Japanese question.
incidentally the discussion turned
upon the reference to Senator Perkins
by President Roosevelt in a telegram
to Governor Gillett, in which he said
! Senator Perkins had hampered the ad-
ministration in its efforts to build up
the navy, yet now advises a policy OF
| Wanton insult"
Senator Tillman, colleague of Senator
| Perkins, on the naval affairs commit
| tee, referred to the statement and in
dignation was shown by other senators
because of the attack upon Mr.. Per-
kins.
Both California senators took part in
the discussion. Senator Perkins de-
| clared he had not been asked by the
president to participate in the confer
ences concerning the Japanese situa-
ton in California. He said he could
not understand why the president
should intimate that he had tried tC
| stir up the sentiment in California in
opposition to the efforts of the presi.
dent.
He stated what his position had beer
on the subject of a big navy, decIar-
ing he had always been in favor of. g
steady growth Of the navy, even though
he was against the presidents foul
battleship program last session.
Senator Flint declared he had moi
participated in the conference at the
White House until he was asked tc
serve as the intermediary between the
administration and the California leg.
islature. He made it clear that he die
not approve of the criticism of his col.
league.