[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
JAPAN.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[F 3588/223/23]
No. 1.
[September 27.]
SECTION 2.
Mr. Beaumont to the Marquess Curzon of Kedleston.-(Received September 27,) (No. 94.) My Lord,
Caracas, September 2, 1921, WITH reference to your Lordship's circular of the 9th ultimo, I have the honour to report that under Venezuelan law, as it now stands, all foreigners whether Japanese, Chinese or other coloured races "enjoy the same civil rights as Venezuelans" (article 2 of Law of the 24th June, 1919) and are under no disability in regard to the acquisition of land which does not equally apply to nationals,
The only restriction which exists is that contained in article 9 of the Law of Immigration and Colonisation of the 26th June, 1918, providing that "individuals not of European race or islanders of yellow race in the northern hemisphere" shall not be admitted as immigrants, immigrants being defined as "all foreigners of good conduct who, being competent in any profession ("oficio"), industry, or art, and unable to earn a livelihood in their own country, come to Venezuela with the intention of establishing here their permanent domicile.'
"J
While Chinese, African, or Indian immigration on an organised scale is prohibited, the law appears to be so framed as to make an exception in favour of Japan. As, however, companies or individuals desiring to bring in immigrants must first obtain permission from the Federal Executive (article 22 of the Law of Immigration), the Government is at liberty to use its discretion in prohibiting indentured Japanese immigration. Whether permission would be refused in such case is doubtful.
I have, &c.
H. D. BEAUMONT,
[6950 dd—2]
140
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