The Washington herald., 1921-01-30
JAP EXCLUSION
TREATY FACES
SENATE FIGHT
Hiram Johnson Says Con.
ditions "Intolerable'-
Promises Strong Fight.
STATE SECRETARY
DEFENDS U.S.ACTION
Colby Confers With Viii.
son on Progress of Agree.
ment on Alien Land Law.

A conflict between President Will
son and the Senate rivalling tie
long fight over the league Of ma
tions covenant threatened last nirht
IL the President accepts the pro-
posed plan for settlement Of Japan's
protest against the California anti
alien land laws.
The entire question now is in ef-
feet before President Wilson. The
recommendations agreed upon be-
tween Roland S. Morris, American
Ambassador to Tokyo, and Baron
Shidehara, the Japanese Ambassa-
dor here, 70 rsettlement of the prob
lem. have been sent to Secretary of
State oClby. While Colby said he
did not take the matter up with
Wilson yesterday, tn edecision on
the recommendations now awaits
action o fthe President.
"IntoIerabIe." Says johnson.
In a statement yesterday sharply
denouncing the two main provisions
of the Morris -Shidehara proposal,
Senator Hiram johnson, of Califor-
mia, declared that the plan is in
tolerable" and that he voiced the
sentiments of California in saying
that 'fn every Legitimate and legal
fashion the contamination of such
a plan will be resisted"
Johnson's statement created a stir
at the Capitol. and the attitude of
the majority of the Senate and the
Senate Foreign Relations Commit
tee was, Immediately defined in COM
ment by Republican leaders. Senate
leaders said they were "astounded"
at the revelations of the proposed
agreement between the two coun-
tries, as made in Johnson's state
ment.
To Aid johnson.
Republican leaders and members
of the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee such as Senators Lodge.
Brandegee and Knox are understood
to be disposed to resist with Califor-
mia the proposed agreement, as II
is reported to be drawn. They are
understood to have no intention of
giving Japan treaty rights which
would in effect annul the California
laws. They are also believed to be
disinclined to recognize the gentle
mems agreement" under which ia
pan voluntarily would undertake to
restrict immigration to this country,
as the basis for one of the main
provisions of the agreement.
Senator Johnson's statement was
the first announcement from any
authoritative official source Of the
terms of the proposed Morris -Shide-
hara agreement. Johnson's state
ment said the proposal embodied
two main points:
l. An exchange of diplomatic
notes to "tighten-up" the present
Gentlemen's Agreement so as to
provide for an absolute exclusion of
Japanese immigration. Dependents
of Japanese already in. the United
states. who at present are allowed
to come to this country, would be
banned.
Cold Hold Land.
.. A treaty defining the rights of
Americans in Japan and of Japanese
subjects in the United States, which
would give the japanese here the
same privileges as other foreigners,
and allow them to have land in vio-
lation of the California anti-alien
land-holding laws.
JOhnson's Statement.
stripped of diplomatic camou-
hage, this means that our repre-
sentative and Japan's have agreed |
passed by the State of California,
DrAhghff
by many other West |
ern States.
Japan has ever insisted upon the |
control of her own people. and !
therefore will not agree to an ex-
clusion treaty, but will enter into |
a so-called gentleman's agreement
which does not exclude.
THE new gentleman's agreement. |
its additional
phases, can be just as loosely ad- |
as thepre sent one, and |
just as in the case of the present
honored more in the breach than in !
the observance. The result win be
under the suggested Arrangement II !
continuance of Japanese !
and increase in the
Japanese population in the West.
Upon the meager facts now be-
fore US, the situation appears to be |
this: japan does. not like an Ameri- |
can law and Japan protests that |
law. Resort 10 had, not to Ameri- |
can courts, but to American dipIo-
mats. The protest is deemed of suf-
fcient gravity for American diplo-
mats to agree to a treaty exactly
as desired by Japan. This by a
short cut. without participation by
those most interested OF course, a
situation of this sort is intolerable
and I think voice 'the sentiments
Of California when say that in ev-
cry legitimate and legal fashion the
of such a plan will
be re sisted"