Speech #640264403

The Japanese Embassy called the attention of our State Department to this language and asked it to consider whether the language is not of such a character as to amount to a legislative prohibition -of immigration whereas the gentlemens agreement was effected for the very purpose of preventing legislation. Understanding now that the very purpose of this gentlemens agreement was to avoid legislation and to let the exclusion rest solely upon the good faith of the Japanese Government. is it not true that the condition has been created whereby the Japanese are prevented from coming? Does not this hnguage when It becomes a law legislatively exclude the Japanese. because the language is "in any way excluded from or prevented from entering"? I will say to the Senator the State Department informed me this morning that the Japanese Embassy had called attention to this clause in the bill. and that the State Department requested that I should lay that matter before the Senate. I should like to ask the Senators view about it.