The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-05-26
PRESIDENT
BARs[Ny
jAPS
Signs Exclusion Bill, Noting
Objections, and Denying
Insult Implied

President Coolidge today signed
the neEp Immigration restriction
bill. providing for exclusion 81
Japanese and olher orientals after
July !, and announced at the same
time that this act was not in
tended as an affront to Japan,
which has vigorously protested
the exclusion provision.
Raps Exclusion Clause.
The President took occasion. how.
ever. to sharply criticize Congress
for enacting the exclusion law ard
abrogating the "gentIemen's agree
ment" between the United States
and Japan.
He said that it would have been
better to invite japanese co-opera-
ton in controlling immigration 70
this country, and declared that the
action of Congress in passing the bill
over the protest of Secretary of State
Hughes and himself was "deplorable
and unnecessary"
II the exclusion provision had
stood alone, the President said, he
would not have hesitated to veto tho
kill.
Text of Statement.
President Coolidge's statement FOL.
lows: IS
''In signing this bin, which in its
main features / heartily approve,
regret the iInpossibility Of severing
from 1t the exclusion provision
which, in the light Of existing law.
effects especially the Japanese.
II gladly recognize that the en-
actment of this provision does not
imply any change In our sentiment
of admiration and cordial friendship
for the Japanese people, a. senti.
ment which has had and will Ion.
tinue to have abundant manifesto
ton.
"The bill rather expresses the de.
termination Of the Congress to ex-
ercise its prerogatives in defining
by legislation the control of mimi.
grafton instead OF leaving 1t to in
ternational arrangements.
NUtcS E1OInptlOhS.
"It should be noted that the bill
exempts from the exclusion pro-
vision Government officials, those
coming to this country as tourists
or temporarily for business or
pleasure, those in transit, seamen,
those already resident here and re-
turning from temporary absences,
professors, ministers Of religion,
students. and those who enter
solely to carry on trade in pursu-
ance Of existing treaty provisions.
But we have had for many years
an understanding with Japan by
which the japanese government has
voluntarily undertaken to prevent
the emigration Of laborers to the
United States, and In view Of this
historic relation and Of the feeling
which 1t inspired, II would, have
been much better, In my Judgment,
and more effective In the actual
control Of immigration, II we had
continued to Invite the cooperation
which Japan was ready to give
and had thus avoided creating any
ground for misapprehension by an
unnecessary statutory enactment.
That course would not have
derrogated from the authority Of
the Congress to deal with the ques.
ton in any exigencies requiring its
action. There is scarcely any ground
: Tor disagreement as to the result
we want, but this method Of secur-
Ing It is unnecessary and deplorable
at this time.
III the exclusion provision stood
alone 4 should disapprove It without
hesitation, IL sought In this way at
this time. But this bill Is q com.
prehensive measure dealing with the
Continued on Rsgs 2. Column o.