Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-12-27
Phelan Fights to Put More Bars
Up Against Japanese and
Picture Brides
rRv Associated Pressl


the senate late today adopted the
committee amendment to the lmmi-
grafton bill which would bar Hindus
and certain other Asiaties without
mentioning them by name, with an
added provision stpulating that moth
ing In the act shall be construed to
repeal any existing law. treaty or
agreement which serves 10 prohibit
or restrict immigration.
This added stipulation, proposed by
Senator Phelan OF California, is de-
signed TO replace the direct reference
90 the so-called 'gentlemen's agree
ment" with Japan, which was stricken
out of the house bill by the senate
committee at the request Of the state
department.
The committee amendment pre-
scribes certain geographical areas
from which immigrants shall not be
admitted instead OF naming races or
nationalities as was done in the bill
as II passed the house.
During the debate Senator Lodge
and Senator Phelan engaged in a
lively colIoquy, the former insisting
that Il was needless TO insert In the
bin any reference TO agreements, be-
cause they would not strengthen the
position OF the United States.
ct is a great mistake" said Sena--
tor Lodge "for this Congress to give
wanton and needless offense to a
friendly nation, by which We gain
absolutely nothing"
Senator Phelan declared that after
the bill had passed the house certain
Japanese busybodies objected. and
that he thought this government
ought to be conducted from Washing
ton, not from Toxic"
The Phelan provision prevailed
without q roll call and the committee
amendment, as modified, was adopted
by vote of ~ to IA, Western sena-
tors voting against IT,
Senator Phelan gave notice that he
would offer another amendment to
prohibit the entrance of so-called
Japanese picture brides" into the
) United States.
NAmendment Offered
Prior 20 the Phelan amendment be-
ing presented. Senator Chamberlain
offered an amendment to restore men
ton Of the "gentlemen's agreement"
He thought elimination or mention of
passport agreements would abrogate
the Root-Takallira agreement and
leave absolutely no restriction on
japanese immigration. The American
slogan. ne said, ought to be safety
first In protecting our race from any
disintegration-"
Senator Smith OF South Carolina
denied that failure to mention the
agreement would abrogate It.
Japan is religiously keeping the
agreement, and there is nothing to-
be gained by the proposal to refer to
this agreement In this bill except to-
irritate japan" said he. you are
doing a thing which can only anger
the nation which is keeping this
agreement and which does not give
you any additional safeguard what
ever
"If t rs the intent and purpose Of
the United States to abrogate SOL
emn treaty and disregard our COM
pact with another nation. should
not vote for it. But submit that 1t
should be done openly and above
board, IL such is the intention, and
that Japan should be told that we,
are going to exclude them"
That's Just exactly what. we ought
to DO" said Senator Works of Cali
fornia. but apparently we are not
ready 20 do that yet"
Senator Works added that the peo-
pie of California do not claim the
Japanese are an inferior race, put
were against Japanese immigration
because the race does not assimilate
with the white race. He said he be-
lieved the Rool-Takahira gentlemen's
agreement was being violated by the
entrance into this country of Japa-,
nese women. He said there were
10000 Japanese males in this coun-
try. most of them in California, and
predicted that II women were not
forbidden entrance, most OF the men
would soon be married and have
families. Under California law, he
pointed out. children Of japanese
parents born there would be citizens.
He declared the law prohibiting own
ership of land by Japanese Is being
violated now by conyeyances to Japa-
nese children born in the state.
Il hope" he said in conclusion,
tHdJ we Will not DcCoAHc uauOu Vi
towards, afraid to protect our own
nation against any nation of the
earth.
Senator Chamberlain said he ia
vored going further than the bill now
goes AMI stating the peoples by name
that should be excluded. He said he
had no fear Of war over such bill,
but added that If war came the
United States would be prepared.
Senator Phelan persuaded Senator
Chamberlain to withdraw his amend
ment.
Tempest In Teapot
Senator Williams Of Mississippi de-
cIared he could not see why such a
tempest in teapot was being made
over the Japanese question, particn-
lasiy when Japan had lived up to its
agreement and as a government has
treated us in the best possible way"
1.-THE trouble here with some OF
you said he, lis that you are willing