Evening star., 1925-07-05

, ject in the view of Japanese law un-
less and until such subject, by his
own act, renounced his japanese ctti.
zenship and adopted another. Now,
under American law, a person born In
America becomes an American citizen
without any act of his own-acquires
American citizenship automatically by
virtue of birth in the country.
Doing Away With Dual Citizenship.
"It followed, therefore. that Amer
ican-born Japanese inherited two citi-
zenships. Japanese and American. Mr..
Morris objected to this dual allegiance,
and his objection seemed to me rea-
sonable. His position concerning our
law of property ! also felt able to re-
gard not unfayorably. On my return
to Japan, and on becoming minister
for foreign affairs, ] recommended to
the Diet an alteration Of our laws of
nationality and property in accordance
with the point of view urged upon me
by Mr.. Morris. My recommendation
prevailed. Our laws were changed.
AS to Japanese emigration TO the
United States, we stopped 1t in con-
fornity with the terms of the gentle
mems agreement
you then felt" remarked, that
Japan had done all she could to clear
the way for the test of Japanese as
suitability In America and to advance
toward a complete Japano- American
accord?"
THAT is how we felt"
When Americans Make Mistakes.
And what should you say of the
American response?"
II will tell you a story" replied
Baron Shidehara, his air of close
thought passing and a reminiscent
smile breaking over his face. II was
In Washington when the American
Congress took action with reference to
the Panama tolls question. Lord
Bryce was British Ambassador to
Washington then. On the Sunday fol-
lowing the act of the Congress I
dropped in, as was my occasional
wont, to see Lord Bryce at the Brit
ish embassy. In the course of our
desultory talk ! said to Lord Bryce,
Your objection to the tolls bill has
been overruled.' Yes was his reply.
What are you going to do about it?'
/ inquired.
Lord Bryce looked at me calmly.
Nothing said he. There is nothing
anything. The American people may
make mistakes. They may commit in
justices. But, in the end, they always
of their own will put them right. 1t
| is in their history On our side-the
side of Japan-things had not been
| going as we should have wished in
| California. Indeed, almost at the
same time that the Congress passed
| the toll the legislature of California
passed the anti-alien land law. Pres
emily Lord Bryce said to me, And
what are you going to do about the
California situation?' 1 replied in
stantly, We are going to do what you
are going to do-nothing.'
Prophecy of Understanding.
After some unfeigned laughter,
Baron Shidehara continued: Shortly
| before the wise and delightful British
statesman died we chanced to meet
| over to speak at the Institute of Poll
tics in Williamstown. He ran down
| from New York to Washington to call
upon some of his old friends at the
State Department, and we encountered
| each other in the reception room. We
| had a chat. It was of old times in the
American capital. Panama tolls came
up. You see / was right said Lord
! Bryce. Yes I agreed, you were
right about the Panama canal Lord
Bryce glanced at me and we smiled.
| California said I, still awaits the
fulflllment of your prophecy"
do you think history" l inquired,
| will prove Lord Bryce a bad prophet
relative to Japsn?"
mo" answered Baron Shidehara
| with emphasis. I'VE all in this
country, or certainly those Of US who
know America, retain our confidence
| CONTINUED on Fifteenth Page.)