The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1905-12-13
IHE JAPANESE MUST CO /
Agitation on the Pacific Coast
to Restrict immigration.
CRY +" YELLOW PERI" :"

Number Has Increased From s6 in
Census of 1880 to $4,000 at Pres
ent Time-No More Desirable as
Neiuhbors Than Chinese-JaPan-
ese Intolerant of the Whites.
The adoption by the California Leg
islature of a concurrent resolution op-
posing the further unrestricted immi-
grafton of the Japanese, and calling
upon the national government for pro-
lection by treaty or otherwise, is the
outcome of an agitation begun by the
California press.
"The Japanese problem" says the
"Chronicle," sis no longer to be ig-
nored. It has been but lightly touch
ed upon heretofore; now it is pressing
upon California and upon the entire
United States as heavily and contains
as much Of menace as the matter OF
Chinese immigration ever did, II, in
deed, it is not more serious, socially,
industrially, and from an international
standpoint. 1t demands consideration.
This article shows that since 1881,
when the census noted a Japanese
population in California Of only o6,
not less than $4,000 of the little brown
men have come to this State and re-
NAMED here. At the present day the
number of Japanese in the United
States is very conservatively estlmat-
ed at 100000. immigration is lncreas'
ing steadily, and, as in the case OF the
Chinese, it is the worst she has that
Japan sends US. The Japanese is no
more assimilable than the Chinese,
and he is no less adaptable in learn
ing quickly how to do the white mans
work and how to get the JOB for him
self by offering his labor for less than
a white man can live on.
Japan is intensely intolerant Of
the white man who visits her in any
other capacity than that OF the curio-
buying traveller. Industrially she has
neither room nor welcome for the for
eign devil from this side Of the Paci-
fc. 1t would seem to be about time
for us to take leaf out of the Jap
anese code of self-protective patriot
ism"
california has population Of
million and a half people. The popu-
lation of all the Pacific coast States
is, comparatively speaking, insignifi-
cant. We shall not be able at the
present time to impose our beliefs
about Japanese exclusion upon the
people of the nation-eighty millions
of them-who have been carefully
educated to believe the Jap a charm
ing little hero. We do not say this
in disbursement of those who desire
q restriction of Japanese immigration.
Far from it. Let them by no means
halt in the work of arousing public
sentiment. But, on the other hand, it
is foolish not to recognize what the
facts of the matter are. 1t is absurd
to go into the fight blindly ignorant OF
the nature and extent Of the pro-
Japanese sentiment that is to be over
come.
"We all know that the ordinary Jap
is a neat, clean, personally pleasing
little fellow, We don't want to eX-
clude him because he is immoral or
because he sells his labor (since it is
more conveniently through contrac-
tor. The reason we must exclude him
is in order to preserve intact our Oc-
cidental civilization. The Jap may be
our moral superior. In manners he
may excel us. His philosophy of life
may be better one than ours. Yet,
since self-preservation is the first
law of nature, we are impelled by that
immutable law to preserve our in
ferior selves.
1T matters not if the Jap were an
angel of light-if he could live cheap
er and did not racially assimilate, he
would have to go. AS matter OF
fact, the Jap, while personally far
more pleasing that the Chinese, is
tricky, dishonest, liar. and unreli'
able, whereas the Chinese is usually
honest, truthful, and dependable. But
that has little to do with the case.
What we must base all arguments
upon IS the great and eternal truth
that two races, unassmilable. cannot
occupy the same land together in
peace.
1--WE have expressed the opinion
that no exclusion law Is possible.
There is, however, possible solution
of the problem without it. 1t may
very likely happen that the Japanese
Government itself. cognizant Of the
growing agitation in this coast, and
undesirous Of sacrificing the friend
ship of America for the slight national
advantage to be gained by unrestrict-
ed emigration. will put a check upon
emigration OF Japanese for a few
years, at least. until the Japanese peo-
pie recover fully from the drain Of the
present war and are in position to
take strong attitude toward this
country Then, indeed. we shall have
a problem. New York Mail.