The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-04-28
TRIES
T00UST JAPs
WITH. TACT
President Has. Hard Time 70
Find Way Out to Save
Face of Tokyo.
By GEORGE II. HOLMES,
International News Service.

President Coolidge and Secretary
Of State Hughes are experiencing
enormous difficulties in their efforts
to take the sting out Of the Jap
anese exclusion act. !.
A series of conferences over the
weekend failed to develop any
plan Of procedure that gives
promise Of success in this direc.
ton. At every turn, the Presi-
dent. Secretary Hughes and the
the stone wall presented by the
Houses Of Congress to settle the
Japanese immigration question once
and for all by adoption Of straight
out.and,Out exclusion.
Before the Senate and House con-
conferees on the immigration bill
met today Congressman Albert
johnson (2ep.). of Washington, dis
cussed with President Coolidge the
Japanese exclusion situation. The
Presidents views were understood
to have been impaired to him for
the information OF the conferees,
who met behind closed DOORS.
The plan that has received most
favorable consideration in Admins
tration quarters is for the immigra-
ton bill to be so amended as to
put Japan on a quota basis like
other countries, and then put the
so-called "gentleInan's agreement"
into the Aform Of a treaty that
would serve to keep out the 146
japanese entitled to admission an.
nually under the quota rule.
This, II 1t could be accomplished,
would take out most Of the sting,
and permit the Toxic foreign office
to save its face by seeming dipiO-
matte victory.
To have the Senate apd House
both baclItrack. however, on a pro-
vision Of the bill that was written
into 1t by enormous majOrities
presents legislative difficulties that
even the sponsors Of the plan adj
NIT could hardly be surmounted. 1t
may, however, be tried at any rate.
Friends of Japan, under the
leadership Of the Federal Council of
Churches, are bringing enormous
pressure to bear on the White
House to compel President Coolidge
to take some definite action.
VIII BE Asked To Veto.
It was announced today that the
President has consented to receive
the councils's Commission on inter-
national justice and good will'' at
the White House as soon as the bill
reaches him. He will be asked to
veto the bill, IL no other way Of
modifying japanese opinion is
found.
"The Churches believe" said DIR.
John H. Finley, chairman, that
exclusion can be brought about in
way that will not hurt Japan's
self-respect."
The Rev. Samuel McCrea Cal
vert, general secretary Of the coun-
Gil. was another churchman to join
of Congress and the newspaper
tory of the existing bill.
Churches Mass Forces.
1.-THE churches" said DIR. Calvert.
ARE beginning to mass their forces
Even from California we are get
ting expressions of opposition. DR.
Carl s. Patton, pastor OF the First
Congregational Church, Los Angeles,
wires: Vast amount of public SEN
timent in California not agreeing
with drastic anti-Japanese position +"
An unremitting campaign is to be
waged by the organized churches
until the fate of the measure is de.
cided one way or another. DR.
Calvert declared he believed Japan
should be accorded a quota basis
as other nations, despite the fact
the United States Supreme Court
has ruled that japanese are not
eligible to citizenship.
'"Fhis would satisfy both Amer
lea and Japan, giving practical ex.
ifv NJ treatment - ho aaid