LATEST GABLE NEWS BECOMES LAW.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1924, Page 2

LATEST GABLE NEWS

BECOMES LAW.

.JAPANESE EXCLUSION BILL. AIMRAMAN AND N Z. CARLE ASSOCIATION WASHINGTON. May 27. President Coolitlge hits signed the Immigration Act providing for the Japanese exclusion. It will become effective on July Ist. Official circles are frankly surprised, because this action apparently disavows ,Secretary Hughes’s recommendations, which had received President Cooiidgc’s prompt endorsement. It was widely believed that during the [last fortnight. President Coolidgo would refuse approval faf the Bill, which admittedly outiages Japanese susceptibilities. It was thought President Coolitlge would avoid the veto because he feared to aggravate the Congressional resentment which had reached a high pitch in the re-passage of the Soldier Bonus Bill over the Veto (as cabled May l!'i. Officials were of the opinion that President Coolidgo would simply return the Bill with a courteous recommendation that the exclusion clause be tempered in language and moderated in effect-, hut the events of the past few days have revealed a legislative insurgency tendering any executive instructions hazardous. COO LI DOE'S EX PLANTATION. WASHINGTON, May 20. Despite the provision making Japanese exclusion effective from July 1, which he opposed, the President derided. because of other considerations, to give Executive approval. It was pointed out that, inasmuch as the, present immigration ltnv expires ott June 30. the veto might have made it necessary to rush through an emergency measure in the closing hours of the session. The President felt such a step to lie impracticable, in view of the tangled legislative situation, and certainly that any emergency provision would he beset by many attempts at amendment, and possibly blocked altogether.

President C'oolidge, however, is preparing a statement expressing disapproval of the failure of Congress to provide a longer delay in the date for Japanese exclusion. The President’s statement said that, in signing the Bill., the main features of which he heartily approved, he vogrettod the impossibility of severing from it the exclusion provision, which, in the light of the existing law. affects especially the Japanese. He gladly recognised the fact that this provision does not imply any change in America’s sentiment of admiration and cordial friendship for the Japanese people. Ho assorted that the Bill rather expressed the determination of Congress to exercise its prerogative in defining. by legislation, the control of immigration, instead of leaving this to international arrangements. The President says that it is noteworthy that the Bill exempts from exclusion Government officials, and those coming to the United States ns tourists or temporarily for business or pleasure, those in- transit, seamen, professors, ministers of religion, and students, and those entering to carry on a trade pursuant to the existing treaties.

The President goes on: “But it would have been much hotter, in m.v judgment, anil more effective in the nclmtl control of immigration, if we had continued to invite co-operation which .Japan was ready to give, and have lints avoided creating any ground of misapprehension by unnecessary statutory enactment. "I hat course would not have derogated from the authority of Congress to deal with the question in any exigency requiring its action. There is scarcely ally ground for disagreement as to the result we want, hut this method of securing it is unnecessary and deplorable at this time. If the exclusion provision stood alone. I should disapprove without hesitation if sought in this, wav at this time, but the Bill is a comprehensive lueasiitif. dealing with the whole subject of immigration.' setting up the necessary administrative machinery. The present Act terminates oil June 80 next, and this important comprehensive measure takes its place, and the arrangement for its administration .should be provided at once, in order to avoid hardship and confusion. T must, therefore, consider the Bill as a whole, and the imperative need of the country for legislation of this general character. T’or this reason the Bill is approved.’’ JAPANESE FEELING. TO Kit), May 2G. Ten thousand Japanese army reservists ] artieipateil in an nnti-exclusion demonstration. They adopted a resolution asking reservists to unite lor the sake of the Fatherland to fulfil, at a moment's call, their duties ns military men. Sliitnnislii Mjesugi. a noted nationalistic publicist, declined that any immigration compromise with America wns no longer possible, concluding: “If history teaches anything an csential collision between .Inpan and America is inevitable.” General Sorinoitchi said: “Ale must be determined to undergo whatever hardships are necessary to avenge an insult by v. 1• i 1 1 the haulers who assert exclusion have made the Japanese distrust their missionaries, and renounce a- shame the bitters’ professions of Christian humanity, justice, and brotherhood. Exclusion will ultimately divorce the native churches from the American Mission bodies, thereby encouraging 1 lie remaining Japanese Christians to a status unsupported by foreigners.