The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-16
JAPAN'S STAND ADDS.
LEAGUE OPPOSITION


and the very things with reference TO
Oriental emigration which Japan has
seen At TO supply against the immigra-
ton of aliens has been resisted by her
when America has sought to apply the
same restriction upon the immigration
OF aliens The question ought to be
treated, as It now seems to be treated
by the majority OF the delegates to the
Peace Convention, as one purely
domestic, and unless It continues to be
so treated there is no telling to what
unfortunate results the whole negotia-
lions may lead
Senator Poindexter (Wash.) asserted
that the Interpretation placed on the
Wilson covenant undoubtedly was cor
rect. despite the position taken by the
President and by Senator Hitchcock
that immigration would be left domes-
ito question purely. Said he:
I'm view Of the fact that the very
word Immigration implies the inhabt-
ants OF one country entering another and
that this act necessarily affects both
nations and gives rise to possible con-
troversies between them II is difficult TO
see how a Senator can hold 1t is not an
International question. At any rate We
have had disputes between this nation
and other nations over this question and
and another nation is an international
dispute. II a man says that A and 3
are not the first letters Of the alphabet
or that two and two are not four, there
is no answer to him. That ends the ar
g1lment There are some matters so
that you cannot argue them.
The statement OF Viscount 1shii
shows that the intelligent Japanese
people are not willing to transfer from
the japanese people and Government TO
a league dominated by foreigners the
control of their most Vital interests. This
IL most intelligent and statesmanlike
attitude to assume. 1t also indicates an
Intelligent appreciation OF the conse-
ouences OF the proposed constitution for
a world government Notwithstanding the
interpretations placed upon II in plain
language by some of its authors.
Must Safeguard Our Interests.
ut is a we'll known rule OF construc-
ton that Instruments Of Government
must be given the effect which their
terms plainly indicate whatever the men
tai reservation or verbal explanations OF
their authors. This question of immi-
grafton IS as OF vital Importance to the
United States as to Japan. 1t is the
only one. however. OF n large number OF
questions OF most vital importance 10
our people and the same statesmanship
on tho part of the United States Admin
istration as that indicated by the Japa-
nese representatives will compel them to
insist that our interests likewise be safe
guarded by express reservation in the
league constitution.
TT Is manifestly impossible, however,
that either nation will be induced to sur
render its ultimate sovereign control
over this matter. and since Japan has
expressly declared that she will not
ratify the league unless such a provision
is embodied in the constitution It is
obvious that no such constitution can be
agreed upon and not being agreed upon
by Japan and the United States cannot
be given effect, as without the agree
ment of these two nations the league
would be worse than useless. There is
already in existence a powerful enlight-
ened and righteous entente OF nations, OF
which Japan is one of the leading mem
bers and to which she has given honor
able support. The United States has
been welcomed to that entente, but for
some reason which never has been given
into the confidence OF the American peo-
pie whose destinies are concerned, the
present Administration has declined TO
join it. 1t Is still available, however,
and able 10 preserve peace and order IN
the world"