Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-01-24
Jap Statesmen
See Satisfactory
End Anti-Alien Move


Washington, Jan. 2s-tBy the Assoc
ciated Press - Negotiations between
the Japanese and the United States
governments for adjustment of issues
arising from anti-alien land legislation
by the state of CALIFORNIA. were viewed
as satisfactory and hopeful by Premier
Hara and Foreign Minister Uchida in
addresses yesterday at the re-opening
of the Japanese Diet
Premier Hara declared that the ex-
change of views: now in progress
ambassador here, and Roland 8. Nor
ris. the American ambassador to Japan.
were proceeding lin a most friendly
spirit for an amicabie adjustment of the
question" He added that the Japanese
government was confidently looking
forward to a satisfactory settlement. -
Foreign Minister Uchida. who devoted
more attention to the negotiations than
dad the premier. told the Diet that "a
frank and free exchange of views has
been proceeding on various points in
yolved in the question" Regret was
expressed by the foreign minister that
as yet it was impossible to make pub
lie the result of the discussions in
Washington but he added that I'VE
confidently trust that an adjustment
compatible with the honor and interests
of both countries may be finally arrived
at"
The addresses Of the two Japanese
officials who first spoke in the House of
Peers and later in the House of Repre-
sentatives were received and made
public tonight by the Japanese embassy
Both officials referred to the sending
of japanese troops to the CHEN Tao
district of China after the burning of
the Japanese consulate and the killing
of several Japanese at Honchen and an
nounced that the troops would be with
drawn as soon as the maintenance of
order was assured
Viscount Uchida also gave to the
Diet an accountof the recent meeting
of the League of Nations assembly at
Geneva and stated that it was the in
tention of the Japanese government
Invariably to make endeavors in
hearty cooperation with other powers
for the attainment of the lofty aim
of the league" He expressed salts
faction that the Geneva meeting re-
suited in composition Of the differ
ences between Japan and Great Britain
relative to mandates and. after an
nouncing to the Diet that the league
had appointed a disarmament COM
mission, asserted:
"As matter of principle, disarm-
ament is to be welcomed for the gen.
cral welfare of the human race and
tie Japanese government is paying
special attention to the question. The
matter. however, has very important
and complex bearing upon the inter.
ests of each nation and 1t is to be
apprehended that realization of this
end may be found impos sibie unless
all nations act in harmony and in good
faith.
The historic good relationship be-
tween Japan and the United States
needs no reiteration," sad Foreign
Minister Uchida in taking UP what
his colleague had termed "the Califor-
Man question" The rela lions be-
tween the two countries have steadily
grown in importance from political,
economic. social and various other
points of view. 1t is true that this
friendly relationship is not withou,
an occasional mingling of incidents.
Ihat Is almost inevitable an any inter
national relations. But 1 am firmly
OF the opinion that fundamentally the
relationship between Japan and Amer
lea is as cordial as ever, AMI that there
are no such insurmountable obstacles
as might disturb basic factors which
govern that relationship. Moreover
am happy to notice that in recent
years the popular understanding be-
tween the two peoples has been great.
ly helped by the close and freouen,
contact OF influential men of both
countries. I desire to express my
appreciation Of the valuable efforts OF
these people. which 1 hope will not be
allowed to slacken in future
Il have to dwell here on the unfor-
tunate event has occurred in oul
relations with the United States. Last
November, at the general election OF
the United States, the state of Cali.
fornia passed through initiative the
law are now generally known ant
may need no explanation here. In g
word the new land law is a cognate
law of 1913 made more drastic am
severe. That it aims at Japanese and
is unjust and discriminatory cannot
be denied. Regret which the japan.
ese government expressed at the lie.
gislation of 1918 is therefore still
more keenly felt by them at this ne2
legislation. This question of land
law has a long history and complies
and delicate bearing and is not sus
ceptible of solution from the stand
point Of one side alone. The difficuity
arising between Japan and America
from legislation of 1913 has unfortu.
nately remained unsettled to this day
The present question has. there
fore. been engaging the most carefu
attention of the Japanese government
they have approached the problem
from the higher standpoint of Japan.
eSo- American friendship opd NTH g.,