The sun., 1916-12-12
SECRET DEBATE ON
ASIATIC EXCLUSION
Senator Works Says Japanese
Dictation Is Possible by
immigration Bill.
VETO AWAITS MEASURE
Congress Will Try to Force
Literacy Test Over Presi-
dents Objection.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-THE President
will have before him In a few days the
immigration bill containing the literacy
test. SO obnoxious to him and which
twice has been the subject Of Presi-
dental veto.
1t is we'll understood that the PrcsI-
dent again intends to veto the bill " IL
comes to him with the literacy test.
The friends Of the bill. both Democrats
and Republicans. who are largely In the
majority in both houses. will then at
tempt TO pass II over his veto and be-
lieve they can do so. The labor leaders
headed by Sam Gonpers are for the lit
eracy test.
The immigration bill came up in the
Senate this afternoon. Before its con-
sideration had proceeded far Senator
Works. California. raised a question as
10 the japanese amendment inserted by
the immigration Committee OF the SEN
ate to appease the fears Of the Govern
nent of Japan. which were voiced at the
time through the Ambassador from
Japan. The amendment. which was
. drawn by Secretary Lansing following
conferences with the japanese Ambas-
sador. has been offensive TO the anti
Monaghan sentiment on the Pacific
coast. 1t provides for the exclusion Of
al! Asiatics who are not now excluded by
"gentlemen's agreement"
Goes 10 the Executive Session.
Senator Works gave notice that he re.
served the right to demand a separate
vote on the Senate committee amend.
ment. which provides for the exclusion
OF Hindus and other As!atics by pre-.
scribing geographical areas from which
immigrants shal not be admitted with
out enumerating races. The amendment
eliminates all references TO the Root
Takahira passport agreement regulating
Japanese immigration. Senator Works
insisted that this would leave the United
States at the mercy Of japanese dicta
ton as to immigration from that coun'
try. As treaty rights are involved th'
Senate went into executive session fol
the debate, which lasted more than al
hour without a vote.
Senators Works. Chamberlain and Reet
opposed the amendment Senators
Smith. Pomerene. Lodge and others de
Tended II. As the result Of Senator
Lodges explanation OF the diplomats
exigencies that led TO the adoption o
the amendment The Republican Senators
as a rule lined up FOR II and II was pre-
dicted after the secret session closed tina
the bill would h passed with the Jap
anese amendment included.
says Il wsslA Dar Rsssians.
Following the executive session Sen
ator Reed took the floor and talked unit
time for adjournment. Many Of IN,
Senators described Senator Reeds efor
as talking against time II was evi
dent that he was bitterly opposed 10 III
bill. He declared that under the amend
ment half the people OF Russia could b
barred from the United states.
This amendment ought TO he entiile
an amendment to exclude the Russia
Jews because they are Russian Jews
said Mr.. Reed.
Senator Reed referred TO a Questio
~propounded TO him earlier in the debat
! by Senate Gall!nger as 10 whether NJ
Reed regarded a Jew as desirable a cit
zen as a negro.
T II was particular TO say a Russia
1 Jew remarked Mr.. Gallinger.
Thereupon Mr.. Reed launched into
I pangyric on the Russian Jews.
: Senator Reed offered an amendmer
. 10 include the continent OF Africa with
A the limits set by the committee. He sal
he would favor any legislation whic
r would keep out OF the United States All
: persons not Of pure white blood, but
did not think II proper for Congress 81
e exclude by Law and admit by diplomacy