Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-05
Seeks to Avoid Agitation.

0SShS u SaVO1u
The administration already has sue
cessfully used it's influence to prevent
passage OF anti-alien land bills in
oregon and Idaho. objected to by Japan.
and a desire not to agitate relations
with Japan now is evident in all adj
ministration quarters.
This has been accentuated by the
favorable reception in Japan of Presi-
dent Wilson's action In breaking off
diplomatic relations with Germany.
which has been most gratifying to the
government.
Senator Reed declared he was author
lied to say that the Japanese embassy
has called attention" to language in
the bill declaring that no alien now
lin any way excluded from entry to
the United States shall be permitted
to enter.
Senator Reed said exception apparent
ly was taken to this language because
it provides by legislation what Japan
by its so-called gentlemen's agreement,
by which the Japanese government for
bids emigration of certain classes of
Japanese to this country.
Urges Serious Consideration.
In leading up to his announcement
Senator Reed said that in view of .ex-
listing conditions he thought the SEN
ate should consider most seriously
what it wished to do with the immigra-
ton bill.
II am fearful he said, that this may
be a legislative exclusion of those citi
zens of Japan who are now excluded
under the gentlemen's agreement with
Japan. In other words, that instead Of
allowing existing arrangements to con-
M w a
hibition. l am authorized to say to the
Senate by the State Department that
the Japanese embassy has called atten-
ton to this language, and that the
State Department feels that this clause
may be the occasion Of some misunder-
standing.
1.-The State Department is exceedingly
DESTROYS that nothing shall be done
which will cause the Japanese govern
ment to feel that We have in any way
impinged upon the understanding
which now exists"
Clause inserted in Conference.
The clause IN question was not in
either the House or Senate bill as they
passed, but was inserted by the con-
ferees after long consideration and aft
er Secretary Lansing had discussed the
question with them. At tho time Of its
insertion members Of the conference
committee had the impression 1t would
not be offensive to Japan.
II lay 1t hard on the conscience and
intelligence OF senator's" Senator Reed
continued, whether at this particular
juncture we desire to do anything that
will in the slightest degree tend to dis
turb the amicable condition between
this country and a country with which
we have no serious controversy.
1.-THE State Department regards this
as important, so important that the
third assistant secretary of state
called my attention to it this morning
ard asked me to lay it before the Sen
ate. I regard it as important. / do
not know whether the Senate is SO de-
termined to pass this bill that it will
pass 1T regardless Of all consequences
or not.
Advises Sober Thought.
ct do know that at this particular
time in the worlds affairs sober
thought and reflection ought to be the
rule with reference to every matter
touching our foreign relations. I am
unwilling at this hour of the worlds
fate to do anything that will, by any
possibility. weaken or impair friendly
relations existing between our country
and a country which has given to US no
offense."
Senator Lodge insisted that the pro-
posal did not interfere in any way with
the Root-Takahira gentlemen's pass
port agreement excluding japanese
labor.
IF the Japanese should at any time
abrogate that agreement" said Senator
Lodge, then, under this. people kept
out of the country would be kept out.
But in agreeing upon this language
the conferees were very careful not to
draw any race distinction whatever"
Senator Borah said that some of us
feel that If Japan should seek to abro-
gate the gentlemens agreement, there
ought TO be law to exclude japanese
labor. Japan has conceded this to be
right by voluntary action"
AT another time or place" said Sen
ator Reed, Il would be willing to &C
cept treaty change. But this is no
time or place to be seeking new points
of difference or creating new-causes Of
friction with great powers with which
we have been at complete peace and
with which we desire to remain in
complete accord and amity.
I'VE have enough ahead OF us which
we cannot avoid.
Absence Of senators from this cham
Der indicates total Indifference to the
Importance of this question.
You have the Presidents warning
that this legislation probably will oc-
casion international difficulties and you
already have protest. though inform
AL by a great world power"