Evening star., 1924-03-04

. Organized opposition to the John
son restrictive immigration bill de-
veloped when twenty out of New
York's twenty-five democratic con-
gressmen indorsed a. declaration that
the bill was deliberately framed to
favor the Nordic races and discrim-
eastern Europe. Secretary Hughes
objection to it on the ground that
it imperils foreign relations, par
ticularly with Japan. and that it will
not accomplish its avowed purpose of
selecting immigrants abroad is ap-
proved by the majority Of editors.
With few exceptions editors agree
that the bill should not pass without
important amendments.
The Brooklyn Eagle is convinced
I'VE need a change in our immigra--
tion laws, but not, a change Of quota
or basis. It is a. change which will
immigrants as are now admissible
from the total number desiring to
come, this selection to be made in
the country Of origin by compe-
tent American representatives." The
Grand Rapids Herald thinks 'to risk
an embarrassment of our friendly re-
lations with Japan or any possible
weakening OF the accomplishments
OF the Washington arms conference
over a mere matter of $50 Japanese
been t't treeeivinr 5000 annually~would we aaid
be utter foolishness."
\ X X X
If that government becomes indif-
ferent or offended. the Newark. News
feels, I'VE are likely to get whole
lot more Japanese of just the kind
we don't want than the 246 more or
less selected entrants that could come
here legally under the quota-the
clauses are thus bad law, bad policy
and bad judgment" In short, the
Richmond News Leader Is sure, "the
for complaint of discrimination and
can preserve good relations with
Japan by the lawful admission of
fewer immigrants than would be
smuggled into this country II formal
exclusion were attempted by statute"
Instead Of increasing the number Of
Japanese newcomers to America, the
Detroit Free Press agrees, "the adop-
tion of Mr: Hughes sugestion ought
to materially decrease it,"
The New York World upholds Mr..
Hughes quota proposal, arguing that
IAN addition OF 246 Japanese yearly
to population OF 100,000,000 Is not
q matter sufficiently serious to ex-
the only f1rst-rate Asiatic power"
The New York Times pleads against
giving needless affront to the Jap
anese and to other groups of foreign
born in this country" but "a fair
basis for Limitation can and must be
found" While the Springfield Re-
publican affirms "it is not wise to
disturb the present arrangement with
Japan"
Assuredly nothing should be DONE"
according to the st. Paul Pioneer
Press, which might strike a false
note now or at any other time" AS
the Portland Express secs 1t, "the
johnson law will naturally be subject
to some changes, but in principle it
is right. It should have a passage"
The Indianapolis News, however,
maintains Ito do other than meet Mr..
Hughes suggestions, Congress must
go out of its way to give offense to q
nation that does not merit it and
ness" For Pacific coast intolerance
and anti-Japanese fanaticism, the
Duluth Herald insists, should not be
permitted such power in the national
councils as to force the nation to in
suit q people with whom 1t wishes to
remain on terms of friendship" The
Baltimore Sun heartily concurs in this
belief, but admits the country as a
whole is strongly in sympathy with
the rigorous restriction provisions Of
The bill, and carried out for Japan
on the same basis as for other coun-
tries, no objection would arise, either
In Washington or Tokyo" The Little
Rock kAFkAnSaa Gazette agrees Amer