We have at this time a treaty with Japan. and an agreement. initiated during the administration of President Roosevelt. and familiarly known as a "gentlemens agreement." According to this pending measure. 2 per cent of the number of nationals of each foreign country residing in this country in 1890 can be admitted each year. This is the socalled quota of 1890. Only 46 immigrants would be admitted from Japan into the United States per year. That number certainly is not dangerous. Of course. there are those in addition called nonquota immigrants. who. under the terms of tl pending bill would be admitted from Japan as well as from other countries. Under the arrangement. or the agreement. which now exists ve have the cooperation of Japan in excluding Japanese immigrants of certain classes. and regulation upon all. There must be a passport from Japan. and there is a further fact which I will state to the committee. when one of that race seeks to come to the United States he nmust apply to the municipal or prefectural authorities. the possibility of his becoming a public charge is investigated and his right to migrate to the United States is not granted until there is a satisfactory showing. Then there must be a vis& from the American consul in Japan. Now. if you wipe out that agreement you have lost the cooperation of the Japanese in preventing immigration into this country. and the condition which would be created would be much worse than the present. I need not say to you that we are now on as friendly terms with Japan as with any nation in the world. Here we are. one on one side of the Pacific and the other on the other. and for the future peace of the world. for our own freedom from attack. and for the avoidance of friction. it is absolutely essential that we should maintain friendly relations with that country.
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