Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-24

THE California people are the only
about the japanese treaty. said Rep
resentative Humphrey of Washington,
at the White House today. Senator
Jones and Mr.. Humphrey saw the
President about an appointment for
their state. They agreed that WASH
ington and Oregon will be satisfied
with the treaty when they understand
Its provisions, and they could not un
derstand why the California. legislature
should be raising a fog" Washing
ton and Oregon people felt the same as
Californians about japanese immigra-
tion, but they understood the treaty
and accepted President Taft's inter-
probation.
Senator Nixon of Nevada said he was
consulted before the treaty was made.
and felt sure that opposition would grow
less as light was shed on the situation
Early Ratification Predicted.
Ratification of the treaty at least before
the Senate adjourns for this session was
predicted at the Capitol today.
Although western senators held up rati-
ffcation in the protracted executive ses-
sion yesterday afternoon on the plea that
they desired more time to study its effect
and to ascertain the sentiment Of their
constituents toward 1t, 1t Is believed the
opposition expressed on the Pacific coast,
particularly in California, is due to
misunderstanding. ana that, as soon as
that is cleared up, the opposition will
melt away.
Senator Hale withdrew his protest to
ratification on the ground that it paved
the way to reciprocity with Japan yes
terday. Secretary Of State Knox talked
with him during the afternoon and is said
to have convinced Mr.. Haze that his fears
were groundless, and the latter exhibited
no opposition in yesterdays executive
session.
That left the opposition of the western
senators to immediate action the only bar
to ratification, and the immigration ques-
ton was much discussed yesterday after
noon.
Governor Seeks Reassurances.
President Taft and the California dele
cation made efforts last night to allay
the fears of the people Of the Pacific
coast. President Taft received tele-
graphic reply to his telegram. quoted in
yesterdays Star, to Gov. johnson of Cali
fornia. The governor said to the Presi-
dent:
AL " 0oiIhotoi IL was tAptdlu6u Oy
you and Secretary Knox to me that the
arrangement existing between our gov
ernment and Japan gave to us exclusions
and 1t was this desideratum / stated was
desired by our people. Am 1 at liberty to
make the statement to the press and the
Legislature that the assurances and un-
derstanding with Japan are the same as
heretofore existed and under which we
have been assured exclusion has re-
suited:
Il have refrained thus far from making
any public statement and will not do so,
except with your permission There seems
to be a belief here that the contemplated
treaty will alter the arrangement and as
surances that have heretofore existed. If
this belief Is unfOunded, i should be very
glad to do what is possible to correct the
impression, and would greatly appreciate
any statement you may wire me for
transmission to our legislature
President Reassures Governor.
In response, President Taft sent a fur
ther reassuring message to Gov. john
son, in which he said:
''If treaty is ratified as proposed by
me, arrangements and assurances that
have heretofore existed in respect to
Japanese immigration will more certainly
secure existing status than the old treaty,
and you are at liberty to say so on my
authority.
After receiving that statement from the
President, Gov. johnson sent special
message to the California Legislature:
1.-The question is. do we get exclusion,
Gov. Johnson said in his message. after
quoting the telesrams exchanged with
the President. .'The President of the
United States says that we do, and that
ends the matter, SO far as i am con-
cerned."