THE ANTI-ASIATIC FEELING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2811, 29 January 1908, Page 26

THE ANTI-ASIATIC FEELING.

MOHAMMEDAN RESENTMENT. v

A STRONG PRONOUNCEMENT.

NEW YORK, January 21

F«wer Japanese by 2234 entered the 'United StaStes in -December last than in December, 1906. . The authorities at Washington attribute the reduction to the effectiveness of the Japanese immigration, restrictions. VICTORIA (B.C.)', January 22.

The \ Legislative Assembly has read a first time a Government measure restricting Asiatic immigration on the lines of , the Natal act.

OTTAWA, January 22.

The Hon,t R. Lemieui's statement in the Dominion House shows that Viscount HayasKi' on" December 23 wrote stating that- although the treaty between Japan. »nd.-, Canada' absolutely guaranteed Japanese subjects . full liberty to .enter and reside in Canada, th& Japanese Go- j

verliment did noi intend to- insist on com- • plete enjoyment of their rights and privileges when it involved disregard of the special, conditions prevailing in Canada. The Government" would take efficient means to restrict" Japanese, emigration to Canada, though it earnestly desired to promote ,th« ' growth and .stability of jcordial Relations. Mr Lemieux further stated that the most stringent regulations had been issued >with . respect to the Japanese to local Governors^ and consuls in Canada, which was sufficient for Canada's purposes. JSVitli emigration from Japan carefully regulated and emigration from Hawaii Completely closed till trouble regarding - Oriental, immigration would be eliminated, fil^he Immigration Company was responsible for the ' influx ' s into British Columbia," which r had>' beea suppressed, jyisoount Hayasbi's dignified and voluntary assurance constituted, a solemn, engagepaent.' Exclusion' of the Japanese by taw would have been a serious breach ol ihe Anglo-Japanese Alliance, since it ■would be impossible to ask a rising •Eastern Power- and % British^ ally to brand its subjects as 'an inferior race,

jrhich they were not. Mr Lemievtx was -warmly congratulated.

Mr Lemieux further 6tated that bona fide Japanese students, merchants, and tourists would ooritinue to be admitted to Canada. 3Ti?couafc Hr.-,

when ?)itervieweiL

said that, recognising that the entry of Japanese labourers would be embarrassing to the United States, the Japanese Government was determined to prevent tfieir departure, and should their entry by way of Hawaii not entirely be prevented, he would entirely prohibit emigration to Hawaii. Viscount Hayashi added that he also intended to prohibit emigration to Mexico. He • justified the Government's policy toward America on the score of consideration for Japan's commercial interests.

VANCOUVER, January 23.

Thirty-one Japanese bound for Mexico were not allowed to land in British Columbia.

LONDON, January 27.

The New York correspondent of The Tim<36 says that the news of the order has been received with the greatest satisfaction in Washington.'

The Daily Telegraph's Johannesburg correspondent states that the Government," realising the seriousness of the situation, has decided to completely reconsider the whole attitude towards the Asiatics, and will appoint a Supreme Court judge t<\ -examine the .objections to the Registration Act and devise a system of identification which •will be effective without giving offence. This is presumably on the lines successfully followed by Sir A. Milner in* 1903. The law will be amended next session, the ack meanwhile remaining in abeyance. The Government is assured of the Opposition's strong support in carrying out its courageous decision.

JOHANNESBURG, January 21.

A score of Indians and Chinese at Johannesburg have been ordered to quit within a fortnight. An ex-soldier was sentenced to two months' imprisonment for refusing to leave, and 80 hawkers were sentenced to a fortnight for not holding licenses.

PRETORIA, January 24.

The Hon. J. Rissik, Transvaal Minister of Native Affairs, speaking at Pretoria, said the Asiatic question was a matter of life and death for the Transvaal, sine© the Asiatics .were already one-fifteenth of the population. The- system of registration would be upheld in order to stem a further influx. "

CALCUTTA, January 23.

The Mohammedans at Lahore have urged the Viceroy (Lord Minto) to press La?d Elgin to remove the indignities placed on .the Indians in the Transvaal.

TOKIO, January 27.

The Japanese Government has issued an order absolutely prohibiting emigration to Hawaii except those having relatives ther« k

The order has created consternation among the emigration companies, and is likely to provoke a violent attack on the Government's policy.

Viscount Hayashi declares that the Government has given a promise, and is determined that it will not recede, notwithstanding political pressure.