Imperial Valley press., 1923-02-20
bhORTRIDCE IN
APPROX AL BILL
IMMIGRATION
Believe Albert Johnson
Bill Will Be Voted in
House


WASHINGTON, Feb. 2O.-Be-
eff that the Albert Johnson i'm
ligration bill, providing for ex-
lusion Of aliens who are ineligible
citizenship, will pass the senate
nd will be approved by President
arding, is expressed in an article
Ntten by Senator Samuel M.
hortridge of California, for the
fellowship Forum, a Masonic pub
cation.
The johnson bill now is before
he house, having been favorably
eported by the immigration com
ittee this week. Supporters clair
here are sufficient votes in the
ouse to pass it. In justification
Or exclusion of Japanese from this
ountry for residence purposes,
hortridge points out that Japan
xercises that right against the
ationals of other countries.
Will Not Disturb Relations
There is no ground for the agita-
on, in some quarters, he adds, that
hctment of this legislation will
(sturb the peaceful relations be-
ween Japan and the United States.
In an editors Introductory note
the Shortridge article, it is stated
hat the Johnson bill "strikes at
a evil regarded as a menace to our
est coast and Indirectly to the
nitro nation.o
Shortridge's Article
The article follows:
"California and the Pacific
past are unalterably opposed to
hrther Japanese immigration into
nu country. We are also as firmly
opposed to any relaxation of laws
to immigration of Hindoos, of
burse.'
"The nation, through congress,
ps q perfect right, recognized by
I nations, to determine who may
I'd who may not enter into and
gside in the United States.
Justifies States Position
stThere are many reasons, eco
prhic, social and political, which
Pstify our position in regard to
japanese immigration. Under ex-
ting laws the japanese are in
igible to citizenship. Racially
hey are not assimilable with our
zee.
eve must maintain our high
andard Of life and living, and for
anifest reasons our people-that
to say, the American citizen with
life and children to support and
lucate-cannot and should not be
Pquired to undertake to compete
18th Japanese labor.
Manifestly we do not wish to
troduce or permit to grow in our
untry race problem which will
eVitably cause bitter strife among
i own people and endanger peace
4 international relations.
Right to Exclude Aliens
"In excluding japanese labor
ON our country we are doing no
ore than Japan has done. In
her words, Japan has claimed and
Eercised the right of admitting Or
kcluding people of other countries.
may be added Japan has formally
limited our right to determine
is question for ourselves and that
80 doing we would not be giving
Tense to Japan or any other ma
pm.
"When the so-called gentleman s
Ereement with Japan was entered
to, it was with the hope and un-
'rstanding that such an agree
en- would not bring about an in
case in the japanese population
California but that it would have
Q contrary effect.
"We know, however, there has
eta rapid increase in. such popu
tioh instead of a falling off, as
hs expected.
But whatever understanding was
tered into and whatever may
We been the hope Of President
boswell, the time has come for us
legislate and stop this immigra-
bn.
Praises johnson Bill
t'The johnson bill, which deals
tn this particular question, should
eedily pass the house and come TO
e senate. l scarcely need to add
at l earnestly hope and confident
expect the bill to pass the senate
a be approved by the president.
An immigration question can
dealt with in two ways. Either
negotiations leading up to a
patty, or by our own direct legis-
lion. In view Of all the facts and
Editions which make early action
perative, 1 favor early and di-
et action, and hence shall urge
passage of the johnson bill.
We are at peace with Japan and
buld continue at peace with that
tion. There is no ground or rea-
to suppose our contemplated
&slation will disturb the peaceful
dtionship between the two ma
ms.
In any event, however, we must
with first regard for the welfare
our own people, state and
tion."