Passed and Passed Again

Passed and Passed Again

The bill to restrict immigration which carries a provision excluding all immigrants not eligible to citizenship (that is, Japanese; other Orientals had been previously barred out) was approved by both House and Senate and sent to the President. The provision making the Japanese exclusion clause effective July 1 (which had been altered by the joint conference to March 1, 1925, at the request of the President) was restored at the demand of the House (TIME, May 19). Thus the bill was passed. Congress. Both houses wanted the Japanese exclusion section made effective almost immediately--regardless of the President's demand that time should be given to ease the injured feelings of Japan by diplomacy. They showed their determination in this respect by finally approving the bill containing the July 1 date by tremendous majorities: 69 to 9 in the Senate, and 308 to 58 in the House. The opposition, such as it was, was carried on by members not opposed to the Japanese exclusion provision, but by those who dislike the severe restrictions placed on European immigration. The President. Mr. Coolidge is known to favor the bill as a whole; his one great objection is to the early date at which Japanese exclusion is to become effective, a provision which he regards as most impolitic. It was pointed out that there were three principal courses open to him: 1) To sign the bill without comment; 2) To sign it, condemning the Japanese exclusion date, and approving the rest; 3) To veto the bill on account of the exclusion date. Because of the large majorities in Congress for the bill with the July 1 date, the last course would probably result in the veto being overridden. The question, therefore, resolves itself into one of political expediency for the Nation. If a veto will be overridden, the question of diplomatic expediency is wiped out, and the question of political expediency becomes paramount. Japan. The Japanese are a proud people and there is little doubt that they will be deeply offended if the July 1 exclusion date becomes effective with the President's approval or without. The fact that other foreigners ineligible to citizenship--yellow and brown races--have previously been barred out in other ways will not mitigate the offense taken by the Japanese in the least. The fact that we consider immigration to be entirely a domestic issue will not soften their dislike of the proposed act. Admittedly the only reason for postponing the date of exclusion is to throw some sort of diplomatic sop, to permit the Japanese Government to save its face. Theoretically, the question over a date for Japanese exclusion is ridiculous; practically, it is serious. Undoubtedly Ambassador Hanihara when he committed the colossal diplomatic blunder of speaking about "grave consequences" if the bill were passed, spoke little but the truth. The essence of diplomacy is to appreciate the truth and keep it to oneself.