CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922 — Page 134

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[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majestys Government,]

JAPAN.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[November 1.]

SECTION 2.

[F 4013/223/23]

No. 1.

Mr. Bennett to the Marquess Curzon of Kedleston.—(Received November 1.) (No. 77.) My Lord,

San Jose, Costa Rica, October 4, 1921. WITH reference to your Lordship's circular despatch of the 9th August last, I have the honour to enclose memoranda dealing with the question of immigration and land-owning rights of Asiatics and other coloured races, as far as the Republic of Costa Rica is concerned.

I have, &c

A. PERCY BENNETT.

•

Enclosure in No. 1,

Immigration of Asiatics and other Coloured Races into Costa Rica.

Japanese The Japanese are under no disabilities as regards entry into Costa Rica, provided they are sane, healthy, non-criminal, and in the possession of moderate means.

Chinese, Arabs, Turks, Syrians, Armenians, Coolies.-The immigration of Chinese is absolutely forbidden (Law No. 6 of 22nd May, 1897), although those already in residence within the republic are able to leave and return at will.

This prohibition was extended to include Arabs, Turks, Syrians, Armenians and gipsies of all nationalities, by Law No. 1 of the 10th June, 1904; and by the same law the captains of the ports were authorised to prevent the landing of any immigrants included in the above categories. This prohibition was modified by Law No. 1 of the 21st July, 1906. to the extent that the races specified in Law No. 1 of 1904, who were already in residence within the republic, would be able to leave the country and return at will, and, with the prior consent of the Government, could bring in their near relatives. A further modification was introduced by Law No. 4 of the 29th June, 1910, whereby Turks, Arabs, Syrians and Armenians, with their wives and children under 18 years of age, were granted permission to enter the republic for the first time, provided they could prove themselves to be healthy, of good conduct, and had a capital of at least 1,000 colones (approximately 1007.).

The immigration of coolies, by Law No. 1 of the 15th January, 1912, was absolutely prohibited.

The negro per se is not prohibited entry to the republic.

Enclosure 2 in No. 1.

Land-owning Rights of Asiaties and other Coloured Races in Costa Rica,

BY article 12 of the Constitution of Costa Rica, foreigners enjoy within the territory of the republic all the civil rights accorded to citizens; they may carry on their industries and business, own landed property, purchase and transfer such property, &c.

Accordingly Japanese, Chinese and other coloured races, if allowed to enter and reside within the republic, suffer no disabilities as regards land-owning rights.

[7284 a-2]

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