Omaha daily bee., 1911-02-24
HALE BLOCKS JAPAN TREATY
Opposition Comes from Maine Senator
Instead of from Western Men.
WILL NOT CAUSE ANY CHANGES
Japan WIZ Continue 20 Co-OPerste
with United states TO Prevent
InnuH OF CoOiie Loborera
60 America.

WASHINGTON. eb 23-An effort was
made to crowd through the senate vvednes-
day the new treaty with Japan on commerce
and navigation. but K met with resistance
from an unexpected quarter Senator Hale
said the treaty represented voluntary
surrender OF a commercial advantage which
this country would enjoy for another year
over the nations Of Europe with whom
Japan is negotiating new commercial reIa.
lions
Senator Lodge who reported the treaty
from the senate committee on foreign reia.
tons which agreed to report II after its
provisions had been explained by Secretary
OF State Knox, was unable to satisfy the
directors
Considerable feeling was exhibited by
Mr.. Lodge in answering the Maine senator
criticisms. II had been expected there
might be some opposition from Pacific
coast senators because Of the elimination
from the new treaty Of all reference to
the immigration OF laborers as covered by
the existing treaty OF 1894 The western
senator's, however. offered no arguments
against ratification beyond demanding
time in which to obtain an understanding
OF It's provisions
Executive Session Held.
An executive session Of the senate was
convened shortly after O'Clock tonight
to consider the new treaty. Several sena-
tors were curious to know why there was
such haste to have the treaty ratified.
Although this reason was not given the
general belief was the committee desired
action before the western states had tire
10 memor1aize their representatives. to on.
pose Il.
Senator Lodge said the administration
desired prompt ratification as an addi-
uonal proof of the cordially Of this gov
eminent toward Japan.
The treaty might have slipped through
had II not been for Mr.. Hale. Mr.. Lodge
had made speech declaring there was no
danger Of Objectionable immigration under
the treaty, because that question would
be taken care Of by laws ana police regu-
lations and for the additional reason that
Japan. through diplomatic channels. had
assured this government Of its intention
to exercise the most rigid control of pass
ports. At this point Mr. Hale interposed
objections to ratification
No objection was expressed by the Maine
senator to the immigration feature, but he
charged It involved reciprocity with Japan
as Objectionable to orthodox proteotlonists
as that contemplated in the reciprocity
agreement with Canada.
Senators interested Anew.
Mr.. Hale's comment aroused great in
terest. On every side senators who had
been disposed TO accept without question
the report Of the committee on foreign
relations pressed him for an explanation.
Mr.. Hale told his colleagues that they
would do well TO take nothing for
granted since the Canadian. agreement
was brought in.i Attention was directed
by Mr.. Hale to the absence from the new
treaty Of the. protocol Of the treaty Of
1884 in respect TO the Japanese tariff 10
be applicable to the United States. Under
that protocol the present statutory tariff
with Japan would be continued until July
II. 1912, while II the new treaty was, ap-