The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1922-05-29
More on Japs and
4-Power Pact

Editor Tho Star.
Mr.. James Hoyo OF Auburn. writ
Ing In Tho star OF May Is. makes
some weliilmcd observations upon
my letter OF few days before de-
failing the recent debate in and ac-
: ton taken by tho Canadian parlia.
ment relative TO Japanese cxciu.
sion. The questions he asks are
pertinent and 1 anouid like to DO
permitted TO answer them No far as
my Information enables me.
The four.party treaty does not
preclude the United States from
raising the question Of japanese cx.
clusion. and this for a number OF
reasons. First. tho treaty IN not a
treaty OF military alliance under
which Americans viii ever fight
alongside the Japanese against Rus.
STA or China. Before sufficient votes
could be secured 10 guarantee it's
ratification a reservation was at
tached 10 u reading as follows. THE
United States understands that under
the statement In the preamble or un.
der the terms OF this treaty there IL
no commitment 10 armed force. no
alliance. no obligation TO join In any
defense"
In the second place. the supple
mental treaty which WAS ratified
three days after the main treaty
carries with IL In the form OF a
reservation a declaration which was
also attached TO the main treaty be-
fore Il was signed by the delegates
to the conference. and which reads
as follows; I'm signing the treaty
this day between the United States
of America, the British Empire.
France and Japan. IL Is declared to
be the understanding and intent OF
the signatory powers. 2--That tho
controversies in whichst the second
paragraph OF Article l refers shall
not be taken 90 embrace questions
which according to principles OF In.
ternational law lie exclusively with.
I'm the domestic Jurisdiction OF the
respective powers" As stated in a
news dispatch from Washington.
this provision was put In for the
express purpose OF satisfying that
very large body OF Americans inhab-
ting particularly tho Pacific Coast
region and making Il clear 10 them
that the conference would never
have power to deal with such qucs.
tions Ak immigration or land owner.
ship. In other words. with such an
understanding attached 10 the four.
power treaty II was made certain
that japan could not appeal TO the
conference from the acts OF state
legislatures or OF congress restrict.
hlblting japanese ownership OF
land"
Now, as TO the part played by the
American Legion In bringing about
incorporation or the last mentioned
reservation In the four.party treaty.
While tho disarmament confer
ence was in session letter was
addressed TO President Harding
signed by the department comman-
ders OF the departments OF Califor.
mia. Oregon and Washington OF the
American Legion. This letter is
too long to quote in full. but IL con
tanned the following important OK.
pressions: I'VE think II would be
unfortunate II the Japanese dele.
gates returned home In the belief !
that tho movement to terminate |
japanese immigration TO this coun
try had been automatically put at
rest by an agreement expressly or |
tactitly processing 10 settle all mat.
ters In dispute between Japan and |
the United States. II Is our convic. |
tion that so long ms the question OF |
remains unsettled the
chief cause OF fraction, and the only |
one which would Justify this country |