The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1906-12-04

! proper considerations OF self interest
any more than private individual can
30 do. But it is equally true that the
average private individual in any real
~ decent community does many ac-
tons with reference to other men in
which he Is guided not by self inter-
est. but by public spirit, by regard for
! the rights of others, by disinterested
purpose to do good to others and to
raise the tone Of the community as
whole. Similarly really great nation
must often act, and as matter Of fact
often does act, toward other nations in
q spirit not in the least of mere self in
terest, but paying heed chiefly to eth
ical reasons, and as the centuries go
by this disinterestedness in interna-
| tional action, this tendency Of the in
dividuals comprising nation to re-
quire that nation to act with justice
toward its neighbors, steadily grows
and strengthens. 1t is neither wise
nor right for nation to disregard it's
own needs, and it is foolish and may
| be wicked to think that other nations
Will disregard theirs. But it Is wicked
| Tor nation only to regard it's own in
terest and foolish to believe that such
Is the sole motive. that actuates any
other nation. 1t should be our steady
aim to raise the ethical standard of ma
tional action just as we strive to raise
the ethical standard of individual &C.
| ton.
| s.. Justice to immigrants.
! Not only must we treat all nations
fairly, but we must treat with Justice
| and good will all immigrants who come
| here under the law. Whether they are
Catholic or Protestant, Jew or gentle,
whether they come from England or
Germany, Russia, Japan or Italy, mat
tiers nothing. All we have right to
question Is the mans conduct. If he
is honest and upright in his dealings
with his neighbor and with the state,
| then he Is entitled to respect and good
treatment. Especially do we need to
remember our duty to the stranger
w ASAAAAA WI EAIOos ~ 40 lAC oAc mdIA
of low civilization, low morality, to
abuse Or discriminate against or in
any way humiliate such stranger who
has come here lawfully and who is
conducting himself properly. To re-
! member this is incumbent on every
American citizen, and it is of course
peculiarly incumbent on every govern
ment official. whether of the nation or
| Of the several states.
l am prompted to say this by the at
titude of hostility here and there as
sumed toward the Japanese in this
country. This hostility is sporadic and
! is limited to very few places. Never
theless it is most discreditable to us as
people, and it may be fraught with
! the gravest consequences to the nation.
The friendship between the United
States and Japan has been continuous
| since the time, over half century ago,
when Commodore Perry by his expedi-
ton to Japan first opened the islands
to western civilization. Since then the
growth of Japan has been literally
astounding. There is not only nothing
! to parallel it but nothing to approach
1t in the history of civilized mankind.
! Japan has glorious and ancient past
| Her civilization is older than that of
| the nations of northern Europe, the ma
tons from whom the people of the
; United States have chiefly sprung. But
| fifty years ago Japan's development
/ was still that of the middle ages. Dur
ing that fifty years the progress Of the
country in every walk in life has been
marvel to mankind. and she now
stands as one of the greatest Of civil
/ lied nations great in the arts Of war
and In the arts Of peace. great in mill
tary. In Industrial. in artistic develop
ment and achievement. -.
- Praise For Japan.
Japanese soldiers and sailors have
shown themselves equal in combat to
any Of whom history makes note. She
mas produced great generals and
mighty admirals. Her fighting men,
afoat and ashore. show all the heroic
courage. the unquestioning, unfalter-
Ing loyalty. the splendid Indifference
to hardship and death. which marked
the Loyal eonins, and they show also
that they possess the highest ideal of
! patriotism. Japanese artists of every
kind see their products eagerly sought
for In all lands. The Industrial and
commercial development of Japan has
! been phenomenal, greater than that Of
any other country during the same pc
Rod. At the same time the advance in
science and philosophy is no less mark