The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-04
Amendments for Asiatic
Exclusion Overwhelm-
ingly Defeated.
NJ E NJ BERS AVOID
SLAP AT JAPANESE
Action Taken After Republican
Leader Mann and Others Make
Vigorous Fight Against Hasty
Action That Might Embar-
rass State Department.
in It's Negotiations.

Washington, February 3-Asiatic
exclusion agitation was quieted tenn
porarily. at least. in the House to-day.
after heated debate that brought bot
| Republican and Democratic leaders to
the floor with pleas for calmness and
elaboration. By overwhelming votes
the House dropped from the immigra-
ton bill under consideration all amend
ments which have barred Asiatic immi :
grafton.
Tne action was taken after Republi
can Leader Mann, Representative
Sherley, Kentucky and others had made
a vigorous fight to overcome the sen
timent which last night expressed It,
self by vote of iii to 90 for the Der-
tection of an amendment to exclude
Aongoiians. Nalays and negroes The
speaker insisted that there be no hasty
action that might embarrass the State
| Department in Its relations with the
japanese government.
The House was surchareed with er
citement when 1t met, and Represen-
tative Burnett in charge of the immi :
grafton bill, forced the attendance of
quorum: The anti-Japanese forces
rushed action. Representative Raker.
california, presenting a substitute for
the pending drastic exclusion amend :
inent. presented by Representative
Hayes.
Debate becomes Heated.
The debate became heated and In
volved, and the House was In confu-
sion, with half a dozen members voci-
ierousiy demanding an opportunity TO
De heard The tide was turned by Re-
publican Leader Mann. who strobe to
the centre of the chamber and, quietine
the tumult, began:
Il have been long enough in this
House. L hope. to place the country
above party. do not believe any OF
these amendments should be adopted
at-this time. While 1 do not have the
greatest pride in the present state De
partment. feel that in CONDUCTING our
relations with foreign countries I am
bound TO rely in the first instance, "a
least. upon the State Department. If
they cannot eradicate difficulties.
through diplomatic negotiations IL Is
time enough then for Congress to act
by specific legislation.
am not prepared to Invite war
with japan or any other country,
though II that war should come az a
result OF any legislation. / would not
shrink from it"
AS tho House listened in hush of
silence. Representative Mann turned
to the Republican side.
Il think now is the time for us to
be cool and collected" he warned, mot
to be carried off our feet because we
think. pcrchance, we can play politics
OF the House. We owe an allegiance
10 our country above our party"
Shouts of Approval.
Shouts of approval from both Demo
Gratis and Republicans interrupted the
speaker.
I'VE represent the entire cuontry. and
we ought to protect at this time, even
California against herself" he con-
cluded
The debate continued, but when votes
were forced. the amendments were de-
cisively defeated.
Consideration OF the bill was con-
tinued throughout the day. but no
amendments Of material Importance
were adopted. 1t was agreed to allow
the immigration bill right Of way to-
morrow. when 1t will be passed
Chairman Burnett. by n point of no
quorum, had forced a full attendance
to-day. Representative Raker pro-
posed his substitute to exclude "all
Asiatic laborers." 1t defined "Asiatics"
as those coming from countries east
of line marked by the Red Sea- the
Mediterranean. the Aegean the Sea of
Mamora, the Black Sea. the Caspian
Sea. the Urnl River and the Ural Noun
tains. except Turkey In Asia. It
wouldn't affect, however. "Asiatics
whose admission is now regulated by
agreements and passports" and made
10 reference to the Hindu or negro
immigration. which would be barred
by the Hayes-Lenroot amendment
Defent is Urged.
Representative Harrison. Democrat
of Mississippi, urged defeat Of the
amendment on the ground that II would
cause international complications
IF you incorporate this amendment
(Confinnad On Third Da