The squall which blew up between America and Japan as
the result of fresh discussions about Japanese immi- gration seems likely to pass harmlessly away. The trouble began when a Californian Senator California is, of course, in a state of constant anxiety about Japanese immigration—proposed to amend the new Immigration Bill so as to prohibit the landing of all Japanese. So far as we can judge, there was no need at all for this new clause, as the " Gentlemen's Agreement," under which the Japanese themselves prevent that type of unskilled labourer who is considered undesirable by Americans from entering the United States, has worked very well. Very likely Congress would have regarded the amendment as a mischievous instance of disturbing the sleeping dog, had not the Japanese Ambassador at Washington thought it right to declare that the passage of the clause would have " grave consequences." The Senate was affronted by such apparently threatening language and promptly passed the Californian clause. The Japanese Ambassador has since explained that he meant no more than that fresh restrictions on immigration might injure " the mutually helpful relationship " of the two countries.
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