MIKADO TO LIMIT EMIGRATION TO AMERICA

Japanese Emperor Will Take Steps to Prevent His Subjects From Going to United States or Canada.

NIPPON NATION IS ANXIOUS FOR PEACE

Government Party and Opposition Unite in Statement That No International Disturbance Must Take Place.

TOKYO, Wednesday, Nov. 20. -- While there has been no further official action in connection with the emigration of Japanese to Canada and the United States, indications point to the conclusion that the government of Japan probably is ready to admit that the arguments presented by United States Ambassador O'Brien require immediate attention.

There is reason to expect that after the arrival of Baron Ishii, chief of the bureau of commerce of the foreign office, who was sent to America as a special commissioner to inquire into the matter, the Japanese government will undertake the self-imposed task of limiting emigration within the bound desired by both the United States and Canada.

Canadian Minister of Labor Lemieux, who is here actively investigating the subject, has made no formal proposal, but it is understood that he has plainly indicated that a prompt curtailment of the number of emigrants is necessary if Japan is sincerely desirous of assisting her ally in order to avoid a serious complication with a British colony.

An editorial in the Ji Ji, which is believed to be inspired by the Japanese foreign office, says that, presumably Minister Lemieux comes to Japan asking for the limitation of emigration to Canada. The editorial continues:

"We, naturally, are a peace-loving nation, and if the emigration of Japanese into Canada endangers the public peace, we will not hesitate to absolutely forbid emigration to that country. The Japanese government is trying to limit emigration according to law, and we hope that the Canadian government will generously assist us in reaching a solution of the problem. Race hatred is discreditable to Canada. We believe that Japanese emigrants would tend to promote the welfare of Canada by developing its resources, but if the peace is disturbed it is better to altogether prevent our people from emigrating."

Count Okuma, the veteran statesman, who is one of the main leaders of the opposition party and the greatest Democrat in Japan, hitherto outspoken in opposition to the government policy of partial restriction of emigration, when interviewed by a representative of The Associated Press, said that the Japanese government probably should assist America at a time when prejudice as well as political and economic conditions render the emigration of Japanese to that country inexpedient. He said he recognized the fact that there are times when justice and reason, which desire to attain the highest ideals of civilization, are unable to control popular passion. Therefore, it became the pat of Japan, as a friendly and peace-loving nation, to cooperate in every way with the President and statesmen of America to avoid difficulties.

Opinion of Okuma.

"From the highest standpoint of civilization," said Count Okuma, "it is unreasonable for one country to close its doors to the people who desire to learn from America, as we have learned for the last fifty years, but we have no doubt that passion, race prejudice, international politics and economic problems are all playing a part in the present agitation. A man like President Roosevelt, possibly, is wise to advocate the further restriction of immigration during the present depressed condition of America, but Japan will feel keenly the discrimination if Congress should bar the doors to the East, while opening them to thousands of Europeans every week.

"I believe, however, that the friendship between Japan and America is based on a foundation so firm that it cannot be undermined by the immigration problem while the statesmen of both countries remain reasonable."

County Okuma added that the American fleet would be welcomed heartily by Japan, because its visit would tend to bring the relations of these nations closer together. He desired the Associated Press to say that the people of Japan had never accepted the possibility of war between the two countries, and asserted again his firm conviction that, eventually, the sense of justice of the American people would permit the unrestrained immigration of the class of Japanese who went to America to profit by the advanced teaching procurable there.