Harmony

To the Imperial Diet, Baron Shidehaia, Japanese Foreign Minister,* said anent Japanese-U. S. relations;

"We regret the discriminatory clause against Japanese in the Immigration Act of 1924. The question still remains unsettled. It should, however, be remembered that a law cannot be modified except by a law; and that under the constitutional system of the United States, the Legislature is entirely independent of the Executive. It is obvious that continuance of discussions between the two Governments at this time will not in itself serve any useful purpose. What is really important in the final analysis of the question is that the American people shall have come to a correct understanding of our people and of our points of view. An impetuous mood or an impassioned utterance will not conduce to an international understanding.

''There is no doubt that the same love of justice that kindled American independence still continues to inspire the minds of the American people. The day will come when this fact will be fully demonstrated."

Such friendly sentiments toward the U. S. evoked a chorus of disapproval in the Lower House of the Diet. Representative Nakamura in- terpellated Foreign Minister Shidehara with reference to U. S. Naval maneuvers in the Pacific:

"An international treaty becomes a scrap of paper when a weak nation is oppressed by a stronger nation. In international politics, the spirit rather than the wording of the treaty should be adhered to. America is conducting gigantic naval maneuveres, threatening the peace of the Pacific.* These maneuvers are a menace to us. If America had not undertaken these maneuvers, the Pacific Ocean would remain true to its name."

Baron Shidehara replied:

"The American naval maneuvers are not our business and I desire to refrain from commenting on this question. The maneuvers do not violate the spirit of the Four-Power Treaty."

Pandemonium ensued and such remarks as "Shut up!" and "Are you the American Foreign Minister?' pierced the din.

*Onetime (1919-23) Japanese Ambassador to the U. S.

*Next June, the U. S. Fleet is to hold maneuvers in Hawaiian waters, after which 12 battleships, 4 cruisers, 36 destroyers will journey to Samoa, New Zealand, Australia and back to Hawaii in a two month's cruise. (TIME, Dec. 1.)