The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-01-22
JAPAN ISSUE
IS EXPLAINED
BY MINISTER
Roland S. Morris, American
Ambassador to Japan, Says
Nippon is Fearful Lest Per-
sonal Rights Be Involved.
PRESENTS QUESTION
(Rv Associated Pressl

NEW YORK. Jan. 22.-Discussing
what he termed "the California issue"
in an address today before the UNI
versity Club, Roland S. Morris, Ameri-
can ambassador to Japan, declared
that the Japanese were fearful that
California and other western states
might extend the classification to
aliens on the basis of eligibility to
citizenship, not only to property rights
but also to personal rights.
Ambassador Morris, who has been
conducting the negotiations with Bar
on Shidehara, the Japanese ambassa-
dor, with view to laying the bases
of treaty between the United States
and Japan, further declared that the
Japanese protest against the Califor-
mia anti-alien land law presented to
the American people the definite ques-
tion of whether in the larger view Of
Americas relations with the Orient,
it is wise to classify aliens on the
basis Of their eligibility to citizenship
FTescntS tSSuS.
Presenting the issue involved in the
present negotiations, Mr.. Morris asked
that it be borne in mind that Japanese
were not complaining because it's ma
tionals resident in the United States
are ineligible to citizenship; not ask
ing any great rights for it's nationals
than those conceded to other aliens;
not questioning the right of the United
States government to pass, subject to
treaty obligations, legislation cover
ing administration or residence of for
eigners nor covering admission or res
!dence of foreigners nor seeking re-
moval of present restrictions on jap
anese immigration.
The Japanese government, he added,
does contend that it is unjust and un-
fair to pick out particular group of
aliens who are under certain disabili-
ties and deprive them of rights which
all other aliens are permitted to enjoy.
.-s7-- - Jap Viewpoint.
japanese aliens resident in the
United States" said Ambassador
Morris after asserting that he was not
discussing the merits of the issue but
I'D oCIlhltlou dIS uOt eIlSlDI6 I'D ClIl-
Zenship" or naturalization laws having
been interpreted as applying only to
white persons or persons of African
descent. This is a sense discrimina-
ton or perhaps better-a selection of
those for whom one reason or another
we are willing to admit to the privil-
ege of American citizenship.
But it is clearly not a discrimination
of character which could properly be
the subject of complaint by a govern
ment whose nationals might be ex-
cluded. No government would consid-
er 1T proper or expedient to protest be-
cause its citizens were not permitted
to expatriate themselves.
Points To Grievance.
MAY | ask you therefore to note
carefully this point: "The Japanese
government is not complaining be-
cause Japanese aliens resident in the
United States are ineligible to Amer
lean citizenship.
May l ask you therefore to note in
the second place that the government
of Japan is not in any way question
ing the right of our government to
pass. subject only to it's treaty obliga-
tions, any legislation it may see fit
covering the administration or resi-
dence of foreigners among US.
Explains Treaty.
1t Is true that by the treaty of 1911
Japanese were granted full rights of
admission to and residence in our
country. But this right was granted
only upon the express understanding
that the Japanese government would
continue voluntarily to limit immigra-
ton as provided in the so-called Gen
tlemen's agreement of 1908.
I'm the third place. therefore, may I
ask you to note that he Japanese gov
ernment and people are no clamoring
for the removal of any of the present
restrictions on Japanese immigration.
On the contrary, the government itself
is willing to examine and correct
any. Of the defects and any of the
abuses Of the existing arrangement.
Real Issue.
What then is this much talked of
California Issue? Of what does ia
pan complain? Let us try to answer
those questions. AS l have already
stated Japanese aliens are ineligible
to citizenship under the administrative
Interpretation of our naturalization
laws. But personal and property
rights they have shared equally with
othCi III 1910, uo"CScI, Sdil-
fornia devised the plan of classifying
aliens on the basis of eligibility to cit
izenship and then proceeded to de,
prive those who were ineligible OF
certain property rights previously en-
joyed by all aliens. In 1920 this legis-
lation was amplified by an initiative
and referendum act. Other states are
now seriously considering similar leg
islation, and the people of Japan are
fearful lest this method NAV be used
not only in property rights, but also
in personal rigrts
"It is against this method that the
government and people of japan are
most vigorously protesting. They
contend that it, is unjust and unfair
to pick out particular group of aliens
who are under certain political disa-
bilities and deprive them of rights
which all other aliens are permitted to
enjoy. And the Japanese protest pre-
sents to all our people this very def
r. 10 10 00rsr nj of