Speech #620058622

The treaty of commerce and nagivation between the United States and Japan. signed in 1894. would by a strict interpretation of its provisions have terminated on July 17. 1912. Japans general treaties with the other powers. however. terminated in 1911. and the Japanese Government expressed an earnest desire to conduct the negotiations for a new treaty with the United States simultaneously with Its negotiations with the other powers. There were a number of important questions involved in the treaty. including the immigration of laborers. revision of the custons tariff. and the right of Americans to hold land in Japan. The chief Interest in the negotiations. however. centered around Article II of the old treaty relative to the imligration of laborers. The general feeling abroad was that the Japanese Governnient would not consent to a renewal of this provision. which was thought by some to reflect upon Japans national honor. and. on the other hand. Itwas equally apparent that the United States. owing to economic conditions. could not yield its position in respect to the restriction of labor immigration. It was therefore the general opinion that the United States would avail Itself of Its privileged position in the matter of the termination of the treaty and wait until the other Governments concerned had completed their negotiations for new treaties. Contrary to this expectation. however. the difficulty was quickly solved by the United States consenting to enter at once upon negotiations for a new treaty on the understanding that the Japanese Government would continue throughout the life of the treaty the same effective measures for the restriction of Immigration of laborers into the United States which had been In operation with entire satisfaction to both Governments since Tie Japanese Government readily accepted this basis of negotiation and a new treaty was quickly concluded which saved Japanese susceptibilities and at the same time protected American interests. The new treaty with the United States. therefore. instead of the last. was the first to be signed. This considerate action on the part of the United States was greatly appreciated by the Japanese Government and resulted In a highly satisfactory settlement of the other questions. including provisions for nlostfuvorednation tariff treatment and a guaranty that American citizens should thereafter be given the right to own land in Japana right which had been denied all foreigners since the days of the Restoration.