The Washington herald., 1914-02-14

EVERY ASIAIIC
MENACE TO U. S. :.
Commissioner Caminetti
Breaks Seal Of Silence on
Alien Problem.
HE MAY BE CALLED"
Despite Bysn's Injunction. Official
Openly Advocates Exclusion
Of Japanese.
HE MAY BE CALLED

Disregarding the Injunction Of Secre-
tary Of State Bryan and other adminis-
tration oficiais that discussion Of the
japanese question should be discouraged.
Anthony Caminetti, the Commissioner Of
Immigration. yesterday openly denounced
the japanese by name and insisted that
sali Asiatics, including Hindoos. are q
menace to the country"
Mr. Caminetu made these statements
before the House Committee on Immi-
grafton, which has under consideration
the Raker exclusion bill. which was side
tracked q week or 20 ago at the request
Of Secretary Bryan. The impression II
general In Congress that Commissioner
Fcaminetti win be called to account for
bis utteranceG
"Asiatic immigration In a menace to
the whole country, and particularly to
the Pacific Coast" said Mr.. Caminetti,
whose home 10 In California THE dam
ger Ii general No part OF the United
States II immune. The Chinese have now
spread over the entire country. and the
Japanse want to encroach."
Commissioner Caminetti referred to the
Japanese at times as "Japs." He strong
ly urged that Congress pass laws to pre-
vent japanese from stealing into the
country"
Ne Treaties to Hinder.
The Chinese have become 20 acclimat-
ed that they can prosper in any part OF
our country" said Mr.. Caminetti. The
Pacific Coast and the South are peculiarly
subject to their choice because OF the
favorable climatic conditions. The people
of California waited patiently for diplo-
matte agreement on the japanese qucs-
ton. do not think they want to wait
for diplomatic settlement Of the Hindu
question:"
Representative Raker, of California,
author Of the. exclusion bill, asked: Are
there any existing laws or treaties that
should prevent the passage Of the Raker
bill or either Of two other Asiatic exclu-
sion bills?
"in my opinion there are no treaties
which prevent Congress from legislating
as contemplated by the three pending
bills: not even the favored nations
clause" replied Commissioner Caminetti.
Mr.. Caminetti testified that unrestricted
Asiatic exclusion Is q menace to the
public health. inasmuch as such aliens
bring into the country hookworm.
trachoma, and other diseases. Accord
ing to Mr.. Caminetti. from 60 to 80 per
cent OF Hindoos and Chinese are aniicted
with such contagious diseases He then
commented on statistics tending to show
that the number Of japanese in this
country il diminishing He asserted that
these figures are incorrect, because jap
anese are smuggied in wholesale"
Congress should provide laws for bet
ter control of the Northern boundary"
said the commissioner. where Japs, Chi
nese. and Hindoos have been getting in
despite our immigration inspectors
would have Law to register the Asiatfc
laborers who come into the country. 1t
Is impossible to protect ourselves from
rh, T.,
law to increase the patrol Of the boun-
daries should be passed before Congress
adjourns''
Protest by Hindu.
Regarding the Hindoos. Commissioner
Caminetti said:
IF you throw open your doors to the
$50. 600 Hindcos. the entire United
States. as well as the Pacific Coast, will
get its share Of them. There are at least
5000 Hindoos in California alone and
many in Washington and Oregon"
He urged that in passing laws to ex-
clude Hindoos a prohibltive tax, and an
illiteracy test. be prescribed.
DIR. Sudhindra Bose. of the University
OF Iowa, a Hindu, protested against the
proposed exclusion law, saying such ac-
tion might be another cause for diplo-
matte friction between the United States
and Great Britain" He suggested that
il this country desired to exclude Hindoos
it might be done through "a gentleman's
agreement" such as now obtains with
Japan in the case Of japanese coolies.
Democratic leaders are chsgrined over
the publicity given the exclusion uues- |
ton yesterday. They thought that when
the House. at the instance of the admin |
istration withdrew such Legislation from |
the Burnett immigration bill no more |
would be heard of 1t at this session. But !
members from the Pacific Coast are being |
with kilograms and letters |
urging them to obtain action at this ses- |
sion 1t seems probable that even II Con- |
eress is persuaded not > act on the jap
anese question. a measure excluding the |
Eindooa will be reported.