New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-24
Head of Labor Department
Proposes Army Test
for Immigrants.
PRESIDENT CALLS
COMMITTEE COUNCIL
Senators Asked TO Meet 10 Discuss
Foreign Affairs and Mex
lean Situation.
IFrom Tde TrIbune Burcau I


Washington Jan 23.-Just as President
Wilson and his Secretary OF state were
trying to have said as little az possible
about tho japanese situation. and only
one day after a. communication from the
state Department put a stop 10 hearings
by the Immigration Committee OF the
House. the Secretary Of Labor. writing
with all the prestige Of a Cabinet officer,
sent communication to Speaker Clark
urging the passing Of the exclusion bill.
consideration OF which had been stopped
b. the state Departments communca-
ton. This lack OF cooperation and un-
dcrstanding or harmony in the Cabinet
has been the cause Of much comment to-
day
Secretary Wilson said in his commun-
cation that the question Of the Interior
once Of the laws he recommends With the
nations treaty obligations called for an
opinion from the State Department. That
opinion had been already delivered.
The Secretary OF State continued his
optimistic talk about the Japanese situa-
ton to-day. but, as Yesterday, he declined
to throw the slightest light on what
course would be followed 10 solve the
problem He had as yet made no arrange
ment with the japanese Ambassador FOR
conference and he could not say when
ne would meet the envoy. II is believed
however, that the discussions, which have
been abandoned for some time and which
would doubtless remain so but for the
recent speech Of the japanese Minister
. lar tal O.
will soon he resumed.
! There is reason 70 believe that the
basis Of this discussion will be the new
agreement suggested by Mr.. Bryan.
Japan will urge that her subjects receive
the specific right Of ownership OF land
and property anywhere within the borders
Of the United States on an exact equalit;
with the nationals OF other nations re-
siding in this country.
/ The President has invited the Commit
toe on Foreign Relations to the White
House for A conference on Monday night
when. ii is assumed. the Japanese ques-
; ton will be discussed. although his pri-
mary purpose IS 10 urge the prompt ratih-
cation Of the pending arbitration treaties.
/ II is also expected that the Mexican SIT
uation will he considered at the confer
ence
II was said to-day that the communlca-
/ ton which the state Department sent yes
tcrdav TO the House Committee on lmmi-
grafton. which resulted in suspending the
hearings on the Raker bill, contained no
specifc request that the hearings be sus-
pended. \ member Of the committee de-
clarcd tonight that while this was lit
orally true. John Bassett Moore's commit
nication was tantamount 10 such request
and the committee so construed 1t. sus-
pending hearings Immediately on its re-
ceipt.
Secretary Wilson declared to-day in MS
letter 10 Speaker Clark that the problem
OF Asiatic immigration could be solved by
| Congress raising the standard OF admis-
sion so as TO include in the list or exclud-
cd aliens those persons not able to pass
the physical tests required OF recruits for
the United States army.
"Inasmuch as the vast majority OF the
present day immigrants must earn i've
lihood. il at all. by performing manual
labor" wrote the Secretary i see no
reason why the standard should not be
raised to this point"