New-York tribune., 1911-02-25
JAPANESE TREATY
RATIFIED BY SENATE
Opposition vanishes, and 1t Is
Approved Without
Amendment.
AN ADMINISTRATION VICTORY
Prompt Action Regarded as
Manifestation of Confidence in
Japan-Western Sen
ators Won Over.
From The Tribune Bureau. !

From Inc tribune Bureau
Washington. Feb. 24-The treaty IT
commerce and navigation with Japan.
which Is to replace tho treaty row In
force, was ratified by the Senate tonight
without encounterng serious objection
and without amendment. A suggestion
was made to change Article ]. relating
tc the liberty of the citizens of the con-
tracing parties to enter. travel and live
in the territories of the other, by speci-
flying that its provisions should not apply
to laborers. but this was disposed OF
without difficulty, and the treaty was
ratified by viva voce vote in the form
in which it was transmitted to the Senate.
The objections which had been raised by
some Senators were easily explained
away by Senator Lodge. who was in con-
ference with Secretary Knox at the Cap
itol for come time to-day and who guid-
ed the treaty through the Senate.
This action brings to q successful con-
clusion one OF the most important diplo-
matte undertakings Of the present ad-
mnistration. 1t goes far toward remov-
ing source Of irritation which disturbed
the diplomatic relations of the two coun-,
tries without sacrifice on the part OF
either. In view of the difficulties encoun~
tered at every turn its final accomplsh-
ment is a triumph for Secretary Knox
and President Taft.
The prompt confirmation Of the agree-
ment Is regarded as manifestation of
highest confidence in the advanced civ
ilization OF Japan. The effect will be to
permit Japan to enter at once on reor-
ganization OF its fiscal system and the
making Of new tariffs with all nations.
Effect of Prompt Approval.
Japans treaties with other powers are
to expire on July II next. That with
the United States. by reason of It's later
ratification would have continued until
the same date year later had not this
government consented to its expiration
at the same time as the others.
Failure to have ratified the new treaty
would have delayed the operation of tho
Japanese programme for year beyond
the time when ii was planned to put it
into effect. It would have meant a great
| deal tn the revenues Of Japan. and the
continuance of the existing treaty with
the United States for another year would
not have benefited this government In
the slightest degree. according to the
views Of the State Department.
When the treaty was received from the
President, on Tuesday, II Immediately
became the subject of wrangles. Pacific
Coast Senators feared II might have an
effect on the labor situation in their
states by reason OF the omission Of the
clause recognizing the right of this gov
eminent to pass an exclusion law.
Friends of the treaty explained that the
diplomatic notes accompanying it def
nitely pledged the japanese government
to prevent an influx Of undesirable
coolies through the rigid scrutiny of all
passports. An alien without "A passport
would. of course, be liable TO deportation.
All Opposition Ceases.
The California Senators. il is said, be-
came satisfied early that the change
would not menace the labor situation
In their state. Several other Western
Senator's became alarmed, however. at
what seemed TO them unseemly haste in
pressing the Senate TO act. They de.
sired sentiment to crystalline in their
states. and therefore prevented action
for three days.
Supporters Of the treaty endeavored to
show that the presence of the clause on
the subject OF immigration I'm the treaty
Of 1894 was obnoxious to the dignity and
pride of the japanese. especially as
neither il nor any similar clause is in
any treaty with any other country. It
was argued further that the existing
treaty would have expired in another
year. and this country could not hopa
to induce Japan To sign a new treaty
containing such a clause.
After full discussion to-day this
Western Senators said that they would
not stand in the way OF ratification.
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