Evening star., 1924-04-18
LOOKS TO COOLIDGE
IN JAPANESE ISSUE
Ioklo Hopes President May Find
Some Way to Wipe Out
0ffense.
TWO COURSES ARE OPEN
Veto of immigration Bill or Let.
ter Urging Amendment Urged.
TWO COURSES ARE OPEN
BY DAVID LAWRENCE

Japan is relying on President Cool
6se to wipe out in some way the
oHsnse against her pride contained
IN the action of the Senate and House
whereby Japanese exclusion, hitherto
a matter of informal understanding,
now has been formally recognized.
me question is not whether the
Japanese shall be excluded That
mas been accomplished by the gen
tfeman's agreement" ard if it is not
satisfactory Japan stands ready to
make 1t acceptable by any alteration
deemed necessary by the United
states government.
Ofhcials in the executive branch of
the American government completely
exonerate Ambassador Hanihara from
any intention to threaten the United
states by the use OF the phrase grave
consequences" The idea of a nation
weakened economically by the earth
quake. her navy diminished in power
and her whole strength curtailed
trying to threaten the United States
~ regarded by American officials here
as prepoSterous.
Rights of United States Upheld.
The Japanese ambassadors action
in defining the "gentlemen's agree
ment' is looked upon at the State
department as a valuable contribu-
ton to the cause of immigration. For
1t puts Japan publicly on record as
willing to exclude her own nationals
from American shores. Mr.. Haniharas s
letter formally recognized the right
or Congress and of every nation to
control immigration, but the Japanese
protest is not made on the grounds
II illegality or international law, but
simply on the basis of amicable rela-
tions between peoples.
The question will not be decided by
allowing the pending bill to become d
"a nxu- BIO S,rka., IL,
part of the President. Such a course
may avoid executive commitment at
this time, but it will not satisfy ia
pan. Mr.. Coolidge will find far east
ern diplomacy difficult to manage if
the friendship of Japan should be lost
and antagonism substituted. 1t is
conceded in official circles that what
ever is done at this stage of the con-
troverSy will leave a lasting mark on
the relations between Japan and the
United States in future years. The
phrase critical point" is used to de-
scribe the climax that has been
Mr.. Coolidge has two courses open
that will retain the friendship of
Japan. He can write a letter to the
Senate and House committees asking
that substitute amendment be
adopted formally including the def
milton of the gentlemen's agreement
contained in Ambassador HaniharaS $
letter or some other phraseology
which accompliSheS the objective of
Congress but does not offend Japan.
Or he can wait until the bill comes
TO him and veto it with the same
recommendations for change. There
is no evidence that political influences
are involved. though in the past Cali
fornias protests have been needed
because Of that factor, especially ir
a political year. Would California
protest against the accomplishment
Of Japanese exclusion, though it be
accompanied by a formula. less often
sive to Japan? That is the substance
Of the controversy at the moment
and the indications are that the
President will not act at once, but
will permit the present excitement t
die down before rSopening the sub
ject.
downright. 1921