Rejection of Racial Equality Bill by Shizuka Imamoto

Author:Shizuka Imamoto
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Notion Press
Published: 2018-06-24T16:00:00+00:00

Discussion on the Proposal

After the shock dissipated and ‘other possible speakers had deferred or fled,’ Robert Cecil speaking for the British Empire delivered a ‘pathetic speech’ with ‘a deliberate evasion of the issue.’128 Cecil declared his personal agreement with racial equality proposal but opposed the amendment by saying ‘that it appeared entirely meaningless to include such a phrase.’129 Cecil argued that the issue of immigration was an entirely internal matter, and if the principle of equality among nations were to be enshrined in the Covenant, provisions regarding the feminine issue, would also have to be included, referring to the previous day’s meeting that had listened to the aspirations of the women’s rights movement. Cecil contended that racial equality issue should be deferred till the League of Nations is well established, and he argued that if racial equality clause was adopted it would ‘open the doors to an immense controversy and to an intrusion into the domestic legislation of the states.’130 Cecil finally pointed out that Japan already is one of the Five Great Powers, so the treatment of Japanese nationals was not a problematic issue as far as the League was concerned.131 After finishing his speech, Cecil ‘sat silent with eyes fixed on the table, and took no part in the subsequent debate.’132

Chinda instantly responded to the objections raised by Cecil ‘in the strongest possible language yet used by Japan on the issue.’133 Chinda stated that the modified amendment pleaded only for a formal recognition of the principle of equality of nations and the just treatment of their nationals. Endorsement of this amendment would ‘signify that all the members of the League should be treated with equality and justice,’ rejection, however, would indicate ‘that the equality of members of the League is not recognised.’134

Thereafter, President Wilson called upon the other delegates to express their opinions. Prime Minister Vittorio Orlando of Italy voiced his support for racial equality. Equality was an issue that should not have been raised, he said, but once raised, the amendment must be adopted.135 Orlando also stated that racial equality proposal represented the ideal towards which they were proceeding and such a proposal must be adopted.136

Senator Leon Bourgeois of France urged adoption of racial equality proposal and contended that the proposal is impossible to reject because it contained ‘an indisputable principle of justice.’137 Bourgeois also announced his total agreement with Orlando. Larnaud of France expressed his agreement and stated that the new Japanese proposal emphasised a principle without asking for its immediate enforcement. Venizelos of Greece made an elaborate statement saying that on the previous occasion on 13 February 1919, he had argued for the exclusion of the proposals on religion and race, and consequently, the original Japanese proposal that posed difficulties all over the world had failed, but the present proposal, represented the principle of equality among nations, without imposing any special obligation, and therefore must be supported.138 Statements of strong support came from the representative of China Wellington Koo, and the Prime Minister of Czechoslovakia.139

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