New-York tribune., 1919-03-25
Senator Phelan, of Califor-
mia, Sends Emphatic Mes
sage That immigration
Must Be Domestic Issue
Appeals to Colleagues
Asserts League Must Not
Regulate Franchise, Land
or NJ arriage Laws
By Carter Field

uSUtNQtOH DH|tu*
WASHINGTON, March 24.-Demand
ing an affirmative declaration in the
league Of nations constitution that all
questions involving race equality, I'M
migration Naturalization. elective fran
chise, land ownership and marriage
shall be entirely domestic, ana rot un-
der the control of the league, Senator
James d. Phelan, of California, one of
the strongest Of administration Scna
tors, has cabled Che American peace
delegation at Paris.
Western Senators, Mr.. Phelaa warns
the peace conference, will "oppose any
loophole by which Oriental peoples
will possess equality with the white
race in the United States" This, he
declares in his cable, is a vital ques-
tion Of SELF preservation"
The California Senator. who has
been much exercised over the Japanese
question in the last few days, tele
graphing the State Department with
regard to fear that the Japanese
would acquire a large tract OF land IN
Mexico along the California border
has been "hearing from his constitu-
ents" in the opinion of opponents OF
the league mere to-day.
Sends Messages to Senators
Alarmed at the situation Mr.. Phclan
not content with cabling the American
peace delegation himself, has sent mes
sages to other Western Senators urg-
ing them to cable PARIS at once sup
porting his stand.
After quoting the text of the mes
sage he himself dispatched, he said in
a telegram to Senator William e. Borah
here to-day:
"Will you not reinforce my message
by cabling the American peace delega-
ton, Hotel Crillon, Pars?'
Following is the text of the telc-
gram received by Mr.. Borah from Sen
ator Phelan, including the cable sent
by Mr. Phelan to Paris:
81 have to-day sent the following
cable,to the American peace delegation
at Paris protesting against racial
equality for Orientals:"
"'Any declaration in constitution
OF race equality or just treatment
may be construed to give jurisdiction
to league over imml grafton. natural
izaton, elective FRANCHISE, land own
ership and marriage. and should be
avoided. An affirmative declaration
that these are domestic questions
should be in consonance with estab-
lished American policy. Believe
Western Senators and others will op-
pose any loophole By which Oriental
peoples will possess equality with
white race in United States. 1t is
vital question of self preservation.'
"Will you not reinforce my message
by cabling the American peace delega-
ton. Hotel Crillon, Paris ?"
Borah Points Out Danger
Senator Borah Tonight wired the
following reply to Senator Phelan:
II am in thorough accord with the
principle YOU announce. and Will be
glad to cooperate in every way. But
call your attention to the fact that the
league constitution as it now reads
unquestionably gives jurisdiction over
immigration to the league.
There is not the slightest doubt
that the question OF immigration could
be forced by Japan in three different
wavs before the executive council or
delegate body. so that the league would
have to determine it. and If 1t did de-
termne it, it would be determined by
alien votes.
cit must be clear to any one that
Japan is simply raising the question OF
further terms az to racial equaity fol
the purpose of drawing attention away
from a discussion and preventing the
modification Of clauses already III the
league with which she will ultimately
be satisfied Those who are support
ing the present constitution are turn
ing the question of Chinese and Japa
nese immigration over to a tribunal the
vast ajority Of whom are aliens
Il trust we can rely upon you tt
help defeat this un-American scheme
which would ultimately, if carried out
! put the American standard Of laboi
} on level with the japanese and Chi
nese standards. Those who favor thi:
/ proposed league and at the same time
/ protest over general expression as tt
racial equality have either not studied
! the proposed constitution or they al,
willing for the sake of party regularit.
to jeopardize the rights OF American
| labor"
''This is a wonde lily good illustra
ton commented Senator Borah, 30
the rapidity with which people tur
against the league of nations propose
/, as soon as they read any portion o
the constitution. In my recent speak
ing tour against the league | foun
th-t | had only to explain what
meant to get the audience with me righ
away