Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-10
Japanese and Europeans.

The Sacramento Union takes this view of
the Japanese question::
I'VE can see no reason why the japanese
or other unwelcome race should have the
right to invade the schools which our peo-
pie maintain for their own purposes. I'm
der our system. our schools, while they are
styled public schools, are strictly subject
to such regulations as may be made for
them by those by whom they are MAIN
tanned. The protest against mixed schools
is. in the judgment of the Union, well
founded and entirely justiiable Our
schools are maintained for the training of
our own children. not as agencies for the
Americanization of foreign and alien races
which have no natural or possible part In
our civilization.
On the contrary. our public schools are
maintained for the training of all the chill
dren whose parents reside in this country.
1t is by such means more than any other
that we so rapidly assimilate the foreigners
who come to our shores. Their children
are at once brought under the influence of
American instruction. and grow up thor
oughly Americanized. Even the parents
are benefited in this way, for it not infre-
quently happens that the child becomes
after school hours teacher to the father and
mother. and imparts at home what has been
received at school. Without the public
schools our immigrant problem would have
been insolvable.
Japan is asking that what is granted
Great Britain. Germany Russia, France,
Austria. Italy. and Spain in this matter be
granted to her. In many of the cities Of
this country children of all these nation
alities n1ingie freely together at school, in
the class room and on the play ground. and
are growing up side by side with American
children. Naturally Japan thinks her peo-
pie as worthy of good treatment as these.
Her position in the woridis established. her
people are quick and capable, and she OBJ
jects to their being prescribed, In free
America she wants them to enjoy the full
benefits of our free institutions.
1t is no answer to say that as between
whites and blacks a difference. is made IN
many sections of America. Separate schools
are maintained, and in the main they work
well. The blacks themselves. when not
stinted in allowances. like the arrangement.
1t inures to the benefit Of their children,
and contributes to good general relations
between the two races. The black child is
making progress. and everywhere expendi-
lures for his benefit in the way of educa-
ton are increasing.
But that is matter entirely domestic.
What We have to consider in Japans case
is her demand for as good treatment for
her people in this country as that we accord
to immigrants from elsewhere; and since
we admit her people as we do those of
Europe why should we not grant it? Why
offend people with whom We have so long
been on good terms who are worthier now
than ever of our esteem, who are our neigh
bors in quarter of the world where
friendship is valuable. and who are making
such progress that they are known by the
sobriQuet OF 1.-The Yankees Of the Orient ?
The question raised In California is very
important. and should be fairly and justly
settled on a plane higher than local clamor
and prejudice.