The citizen., 1920-10-07
BY EDWARD w. PickARp.

Despite the undoubted fact that the
governments OF the United States and
Japan are earnestly striving 20 arrive
at an amicable settlement Of their DIFF
ferences. the relations between the two
nations are becoming more strained
daily. This does not mean that hos
tllities will ensue-such an eventual
ity is almost out OF the question-but
- situation is giving undesirable op-
portunity 20 the alarmists and the
Jingocs OF both countries and is real
ly worrying the statesmen and those
directly Interested In international
commerce.
The administration at Washington
has sent TO Tokyo communication
stating just how far II Is willing TO
60 20 meet the desires of the Japan
ese. and this proposition was taken
under consideration by the japanese
cabinet At neither capital was any
information given out as to the con-
tents OF the American note, but II was
reported in Washington that one of
the fundamental considerations insist
ed upon by the administration Is that
japan shall give n new guarantee
against immigration. In the form Of
an amendment either 10 the existing
treaty or TO the "gentlemen's agree
ment" under which since 1907 japan
has undertaken 10 prevent the emigra-
ton OF laborers 20 America.
II japan agreed 10 accept any such
amendment, II probably would be 10
the gentlemen's agreement. for the
japanese people would scarcely stand
for formal treaty by which they, al
most alone, would be set apart as un-
desirable immigrants into America.
II Japan cannot bring about n definite
settlement OF the trouble at this time,
she desires at least TO reach an un-
derstanding that will quiet the talk
OF japanese domination In California
and induce the people Of that state to
reject. at the coming election. the pro-
posed new allen land law which Is the
cause OF most OF Japan's protests.
The adoption OF that law was pre-
vented last year by the administration,
but whether this could be done again
is problematicai.
We have thought in America that
the japanese people were considera-
bly, wrought up over this question, but
according TO Marquis okuma, former
premier, they are not sufficiently
aroused. II is now announced in
Tokyo that Okuma Is going 10 devote
himself 10 awakening the japanese
people against "the unlawful attitude
OF California Americans" and that
ne will call meeting OF 100 leading
statesmen and other prominent clti-
gems 10 exchange views on the subject.
The marquis says his fellow country
men are becoming weak and coward
~, like the Chinese, are Indifferent TO
grave questions affecting the nations
interests. and that strong, unified
national opinion must defend the In
terests Of the japanese I'm California.
He predicts that unless something is
done TO check the Californlans, there
will arise a similar state Of affairs In
Canada. Australia. New Zealand and
other British dOminlons.
That the japanese already are re-
talinting In such ways as are open 10
them is indicated by correspondence
between Secretary OF Commerce Al
nder and Chairman Benson Of the
shipping board. Mr.. Benson called TO
the attention of Mr., Alexander in
stances Of japanese procedure at
Kobe amounting 20 discrimination
against American shipments 10 the
Far East In reply Secretary Alexan-