Evening star., 1924-05-08
Conference Report Heeding
Presidents Request for
PoStponement AssaiIed.
LAW HELD EFFECTIVE
IN PRINCIPLE JULY |
Orientals Coming Into the United
States Would Be Few, Is
View of Advocates.

The Senate heatedIy debated rho
immigration bill today. with HORN
Democratic and Republican spokes-
men bitterly assailing the conference
report postponing japanese exclu-
sion.
Senator Robinson, Arkansas, the
Democratic leader, opened the attack
and he was Joined Immediately by
Senators Borah, Idaho. and johnson,
California, Republicans.
The provision directing negotiation
of an understanding canceling the
gentlemen's agreement adopted at the
suggestion of President Coolidge
was assailed as an abrogation of the
principle that immigration is a pure
ly domestic question.
This question is Of overshadowing
Importance" said Senator Robinson.
once we recognize the right of.Ja-
pan to determine by treaty the condi-
tions under which its nationals shall
come into this country, we will be
surrounded by similar pleas from
other nations"
An assertion by Senator Johnson
that the delay in Japanese exclusion
until March l, 1925, would let down
the bars during that period to a food
of Asiatic immigration was promptly
questioned by Senator Reed, Republi
can, Pennsylvania, in charge of the
measure.
1000 in Country.
The census shows a total count OF
Japanese in this country to be about
111,0oo," he said. 'It should be ap-
parent how much basis there is for
such a theory"
Senator Reed insisted the confer
ence decision recognized the principle
that immigration was domestic
problem 1t was for that reason, he
set aside the gentlemen's agreement,
by which doubt was cast on that
principle.
1t was argued by Senator Borah
that the conference provision not
only recognized the right of a foreign
government to be heard when this
country proposes to restrict its i'm
migration, but recognized the quote
President Coolidge was accused by
Senator Robinson. of having made an
abrupt about face" on the Japanese
exclusion issue. Recalling the White
House had declared for exclusion
just few days ago, he contrasted
the later pronouncements from that
source.
Immediately after the California
primary we find him forcing into the
Senate request that he be asked to
negotiate question of immigration, -
Senator Robinson said, IF you intend
to negotiate treaty with Japan you
should also negotiate with nations
whose immigrants are of the white
race. There is no basis in justice or
in law for Japan being given pref
erence."
Senator Reed Challenged.
When Senator Reed estimated that
under the quota basis only sixty
seven Japanese could come into this
country between July 1 and March 1.
1925. several Senators challenged his
statement. They declared both the
Senate and House had refused to
recognize the quota as applicable to
Japan.
Senator Johnson declared it to be
his opinion that 100000 more Japan
ese would be able to settle in Califor-
mia before the proposed exclusion
could go into effect. He argued that
the conferees had exceeded their
power
Senator Ashurst. Democrat Ari-
zona. declared it was SecretarS
Hughes, not Congress, that had "em-
barrassed" President Coolidge in
dealing with Japanese exclusion. Re
ferring to the California elections o.
Tuesday, he said that President Cool
idge's Intervention in the situation
man of courage" The conferees, he
said, had yielded to a threat from
the Secretary of State"
Senator Harris, Democrat, Georgia.
one of the confereeS, declared a poll
of the House and Senate had shown
that there was no sentiment for the
Presidents proposal"
Il am in favor of this bill, and !
didn't want to endanger It; he SAID.
land ! was afraid the President might
veto it if he didn't get vote on the
floor on this proposition. l expect u
to be voted down in both Houses
Senator Reed said that every member
of the conference had treated the sub
ject with complete lack of partisanship.
for we regard this as the most i'm
portant legislation which can come
before Congress-"
Senator Reed insisted that the rules
allowed the conferees to redraft the
the first amendment which came from
President Coolidge to the conferees,
he said, because he wanted exclusion
definite and certain" and then had ac-
cepted a second amendment which
met his views. Senator johnson ques-
toned him sharply about the substi-
tute.
I'VE wanted to make exclusion def
mite and certain" Senator Reed re-
peated.
The first proposal of the President
would have postponed exclusion until
March 1, 1926.
Senator Lodge of Massachusetts,.
the Republican leader, was brought
into the debate for a moment when
he replied to references from the
Democratic side to the power of Con-
gress to regulate immigration. He
declared that power was vested in
"the whole legislative body of the
United States, including the Presi-
dent" but he did not go into detail
regarding his attitude toward the
proposal of President Coolidge.
Lodge Holds Same View.
Chairman Lodge of the Foreign
Relations committee told the Senate
he had not altered the view he so
frequently expressed during the
league of nations fight-"that i'm
migration is one of the subjects Of
all others on which no power could
have anything to say"
~ have taken very strong stand
always in regard to the question of
immigration" he said, "it is a sub
ject on which I have worked ever
since the beginning of my career
in the House. l have always be-
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