Omaha daily bee., 1911-02-23
ADMINISTRATION dAKEs CANVASS
Upper House Expected to Act Before
Close Of Session.
COMMITTEE REPORTS FAvoRABLY
Secretary Knox Explains Provisions
and Answers Questions.
WILL NOT CAUSE ANY CHANGES
with UnIted states 60 Prevent
Innux of COoIie Laborers
so America.


WASHINGTON, Feb. 22.-The senate
failed today to ratify the new japanese
trade and commerce treaty 1t was criti-
cised by Senator Hale on the ground that
Il was another reciprocity" measure and
was defended by Senator Lodge. II proba-
bly, will come before the senate again to-
morrow.
The new treaty is slated for approval by
the senate before the expiration OF the
present session, unless the administration
has deceived itself after careful sounding
Of all OF the elements in the senate that
might be supposed to be particularly in
terested in that subject. Besides the SEN
ators from the Pacific coast states, those
from the middle west and the east who are
members Of the committee on foreign re-
lations or have in the past exhibited a dis
position to resist any measures that would
admit Of the enlargement Of japanese inn
migration, have been consulted. ther By
the president himself. or by scretary
Knox. or some OF the responsible officials
Of the State department
The treaty was ordered favorablv re-
ported from the committee on foreign rela-
ions. Secretary of state Knox explained
the provisions Of the treaty and answered
many questions to satisfy members of the
committee that the proposed change az
fecting immigration would not let down
the bars Of unrestricted immigration OF
coolie labor
The committee finally adopted a resolu-
ton Of ratification the terms OF which sat
isfied members that there is no danger of
dificulty with Japan over the immigra-
ton OF laborers BY reason of the new
treaty having omitted the provision of the
convention Of 1894. which recognized the
right Of either country to make reguIa-
tions on the subject OF immigration. This
resolution declares that this question viii
be left absolutely to diplomatic arrange
nent between the governments OF the
United states and Japan.
I<nox Answers Questions.
One or two senators inquired Of secre-
tary Knox what would happen under the
new ueafy u q Japanese colony In Mexico
attempted TO move over TO the United
States Secretary Knox replied that only
such Japanese as had passports could
enter the United States and therefore any
attempting TO come In from Mexico would
be stopped at the border by American i'm
migration officers.
Senator Lodge was authorized to make
the report favoring the ratification of the
treaty He is said to have canvassed the
sentiment among Pacific coast senators
and to have found that there would be no
opposition TO the measure The Pacific
coast senators, It is said have been
brought TO see that the exclusion OF unde-
sirable aliens never has been accomplished
by treaty, but by the regulations OF this
government
The omission OF any reference TO immi-
grafton. which was made as a tribute to
Japanese national honor and in consider
alton OF japanese pride is said not 10
have affected the situation at all. For
year past according to assurances given to
the Department OF State by immigration Of
ficers, Japan has been cooperating with
this government in reducing immigration
Of laborers to the United States.
Protest from California.
SACRAMENTO, Cal. Feb "a resolu-
tion was introduced In the state senate
today calling on President Taft to with
draw the new Japanese treaty. appealing
TO the United States senate to refuse its
assent and instructing the California dele
cation 10 oppose ratification. Governor
johnson declined to discuss the new treaty
Chairman Wright of the federal relations
committee OF the senate today sent the
following telesram TO President Taft:
! Mr.. President: California Is much alarmed
over the newspaper report OF the proposed
new Japanese treaty. The federal govern
ment, unless positively assured that Janan
VIII enforce regulations restricting immi-
grafton to the United States OF such sub
/ jects as are inimical to our western civiii-
/ sation, should insist upon a restriction
/ clause In the new treaty. Less than this
VIII inflame the public mind all along the
! Pacific coast and may lead TO a condition
that viii be deplored by those most desirous
/ OF pTeservins amity and good viii between
| the United states and Japan. This In the
opinion OF the senate committee on federal
relations. is the sentiment OF the California
7 legisle tion.