New-York tribune., 1910-12-20
NEW JAPANESE TREATY
IS MAKING PROGRESS
Negotiations Well Under Way,
and Advancement PIeaSeS
Administration.
TASK is A DELICATE ONE
Senators and Representatives
from the Pacific Coast Will
Guard Against Admis-
sion of Laborers.
From The Tribune Bureau. ]

IFrom The Tribune Bureau.1
Washington, Dec. 19.-Negotiations
which have for their end the perfection
of a new treaty between the United
States and Japan are well under way
and are advancing with success which
is the occasion of the utmost satisfaction
to the administration The new conven-
ton is to be a general treaty of peace,
amity and commerce. and is to replace
the treaty of commerce and navigation
of 1894 which in turn replaced that OF
1854
According TO the terms of the existing
treaty. that may be denounced by either
party after July II, 1911, but only after
a years notice of such purpose Neither
nation has given such notice. although
either might have done so at any time
since July Il last. 1t is not deemed
proba bic that either party viii now give
notice of any purpose to denounce the
existing treaty, as it is proposed that
the new convention shall replace that
now in force whenever it shall have been
ratified and the ratifcations exchanged.
Some of the questions involved are of
more than ordinary delicacy, especially
the problem of japanese exclusion" for
which reason it has seemed wise to the
Secretary of State to undertake the
formula ton of the new convention at
this time. when the negotiators can work
without undue pressure and abundant
time may be taken for the settlement
of all difficult problems In accordance
with the best interests and as nearly as
possible in accordance with the wishes
of both nations. Secretary Knox is
sparing no pains in his efforts to perfect
no point uncovered. but which shall
prove satisfactory to all concerned. and
to that end is availing himself of all
the expert opinion and assistance at his
command.
Problem of Grave Difficulty.
OF course. the problem which presents
the gravest difficulty is that concerning
the admission of Japanese laborers. The
existing treaty. while insuring to each
of the contracting parties absolute free
dom to trade in the territory of the
other unrestricted admission of each TO
the ports of the other, etc, specifically
provides that nothing which it contains
shall be construed in any way to "af-
feet the laws, ordinances and regula- |
tons with regard to trade. the immi-
grafton of laborers, police and public Sc
curity which are in force or which may
hereafter be enacted in either Of the !
two countries This provision has al |
ways been held by the diplomatic au- |
thorities of this country to contain |
abundant warrant for the specific ex- |
,lusion of japanese laborers. On the |
other hand, it has been appreciated that !
such specific legislation would seriously |
hurt the pride of the Japanese. and, as |
will be recalled. the apparent necessity !
If such legislative exclusion has been |
at least partly obviated by the Japanese
authorities. who themselves took such |
steps as were necessary to prevent their |
aborers from entering the United States.
Anv convention by which the United |
States abrogated this right would in
,vitablv so far incur the antagonism of
the Far West as to insure it's rejection
nv the Senate. On the other hand, the
ability of Secretary Knox
will inevitably be taxed TO the utmost by
The necessity of securing the consent of
Japan to any provision as farreaching
as that just quoted. But it is because
If this and some other slightly less deli
ate problems that Mr.. Knox, with the
-ull approval of the President, deter
mined TO begin the negotiations far in
advance of any pressing demand for a
new treaty.
Western Legislators on tho Watch.
The progress of these negotiations is
certain to be watched. in SO far as possi-
,le. with the utmost interest by Senators
md Representatives from the Pacific
coast. and If they can secure any infor-
nation which leads them TO believe that
he Administration is recedng from the
position of power over Immigration
which IL enjoys under the existing treaty
heir protests will he prompt and eni-
Continued on fifth page.
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