Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-12-12
President Lets It Be Known
That He Will Not Approve
Measure Now Being Pressed
Before Congress,
CONDITIONS WOULD BE
WORSE THAN PRESENT
Reed of Missouri Objects to
Geographical Lines and Pro-
poses Exclusion of Africans
as Well as ASiatiCS,

dS WGll do AolQtlNOI
tsv uoautNa JOURNAL SPECIAL ttAsto "'Nsl
Washington, Dec. 11.-While the
immigration bill, passed by the house
ot the last session was meeting uneN-
pected opposition in the senate today
II became definitely known that Presi.
dent Wilson will veto the measure ID
II poes to the White House with I'm"
literacy test provision, one Of its chlef
features.
The president, early in his admin
istration. vetoed a similar bill for the
same reason-the same as Presidents
Cleveland and Taft had done before
him-but advocates of the legislation
had hoped that he would not with
hold his signature this time if sub
stantial majorities were given IN
both houses Of congress.
Debate on the bill in the senate de-
veloped into a general argument ovel
the question of exclusion of aliens on
account Of race.
Provision us to IIindus.
Senator Works of California started
the discussion by giving notice that
he reserved the right TO demand a
separate vote on a senate committee
amendment providing for the eX-
Clusion of Hindus and other Asiatcs
by prescribing geographical areas
from which immigrants shall not be
admitted without enumerating races,
The amendment recommended by
the state department after inquiries
bod been made by the Japanese
government respecting provisions Of
the bill as 1t passed the house, elm
mates all references to the Root-Tak-
ahire passport agreement regulating
Japanese immigration.
Senator Works insisted that would
leave the United States at the mercy
Of japanese dctation as to immigra"
ton from that country AS treaty
rights are involved, the senate went
into executive session for the debate,
which lasted more than an hour
without a vote.
Would Exclude Africans.
In open session Senator Reed Of
fered an amendment to include the
continent Of Africa within the limits
set by the committee, He said he
would favor any legislation which
would keep out Of the United states
any person not Of pure white blood,
but he did not think it proper for
congress "to exclude by law and ad-
init by diplomacy"
II believe" said Senator Reed,
"the time has come when We ought
to keep our country from being filled
mp with people not capable Of be-
coming first class citizens Of the
United States; people, who by birth
environments, and disposition, or by
their great ignorance, are not quail
fled to perform the duties of
Answering n question Of Senator
GallinEer as to whether Jews might
as well be excluded as negroes, SEN
ator Reed said
Tribute 10 the Jews
"The Jews, by race and by blood
have been civilized for thousands Of
years. They spring from the raco
that gave us our religion and the
of our law. ] am not
seeking to open the old black and
white issues i'm this country. 1t is
plain that we should make an effort
to protect our citizenship from an
influx OF undesirables and keep out
all not capable of thorough amalga-
nation"
Senator Smith Of South Carolina
in charge Of the bill, produced sta
.istics to show that in the last 95
years there have been only about
1900 immigrants from Africa to
his country.
What you are really proposing i'm
his amendment" suggested Senator
Us to exclude people on [,
account Of race"
'I suspect you are right" said .
senator Smith, adding;
"All We have tried to do is to avoid .
'acial complication without running I
nto national complications"
Senator Vardamau introduced an I
amendment setting forth that there is /
.ome doubt whether the fourteenth .
md fifteenth amendments to the con-
enfranchisng the negro,
we're properly adopted, and directing
he attorney general to lay the ques-
ion before the supreme court to
rave it ascertain whether they were
made part Of the constitution I'm the
manner providing for constitutional
'h9nges.
Designed for 5lpanese Interests.
Before the doors were closed. SEN
tor Works declared the amendment
VAS designed purely in the interest Of
Japan and regardless OF the interests
Il the United States
''The amendment" said he. leaves