Omaha daily bee., 1906-12-05
RELATIONS no OTHER PEOPLES
Hostility to Japanese Brings ont some
Thoughts

Hostility to Japanese Brings Out some
Thoughts.
It is a mistake, and it betrays spirit
all international governmental action is.
and must ever be, based upon mere
selhshness; and that TO advance ethical
sign of hypocrisy. This is no more
necessarily true of the action OF gov
eTnments than of the action Of individu-
ais. 1t is sure sign of a base nature
always to ascribe base motives for the
actions of others. Internationally no
nation can afford to disregard proper
considerations Of self-interest, any more
than a private individual can do so. But
II is equally true that the average pri-
munity does many actions with refer
ence to other men in which he Is guided
not by self-interest, but by public spirit
by regard for the rights Of others, by
a disinterested purpose to do good to
others, and to raise the tone of the com
munity as whole Similarly, a really
matter of fact often does act, toward
other nations in spirit not In the least
Of mere self Interest. but paying heed
chiefly. TO ethical reasons; and as the
centuries so by this disinterestcdness
in international action, this tendetcy of
the individuals comprising nation to
require that nation to act with justice
toward its neighbors, steadily grows and
strengthens. 1t Is neither wise nor right
and Il Is foolish-and may be wicked
to think that other nations will disre-
gard theirs. But IL is wicked for a ma
tion only TO regard its own interest, and
motive that actuates any other nation.
II should be our steady aim to raise the
ethical standard of national action Just
as, we, strive to raise the ethical standard
of ipdivtdual action
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 Cath
Ole or Protestant Jew or GENTLE;
Germany. Russia, japan or Italy, mat
tiers nothing, All we have right to
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
IL is the sure mark Of a low civilization,
a low morality, to abuse or discriminate
stronger who has come here lawfully
and who is conducting himself properly.
To remember this is incumbent on every
peculiarly incumbent on every govern
ment official whether OF the nation or
of the several states
Attitude Toward Japanese.
I am prompted to say this by the atti-
tude of hostility here and there assun I'd
toward the Japanese In this country. This
4 hostility is sporadic and is limited TO a
disereditable TO us as people, and It may
be fraught with the gravest consequences
. 10 the nation. The friendship between the
United States and Japan has been continu-
GUS since the time, over half a century ago
when Commodore Perry, by HIS expedition
to Japan, first opened the Islands to west
ern civilization. Since then the growth OF
Japan has been literally astounding. There
10 not only nothing TO parallel II. but moth.
ing 20 approach It in the history or civilized
mankind. Japan has a glorious and ancient
past. Her civilization Is older than thai
OF the nations OF northern Europe-the ma.
tions from whom the people OF the United
States have chiefly sprung. But nifty years
: ago Japan's development was still that o
the middle ages During that fifty years
the progress OF the country IN every wall
in life has been a marvel 20 mankind, and
she now stands as one OF the greatest Of
civilized nations great In the arts Of wal
and in the arts OF peace; great In military
in Industrial, in artistic development and
achievement. Japanese soldiers and sailor
have shown themselves equal IN eomba
10 any OF whom history makes note. Sh'
has produced great generals and might!
adnirals: her lighting men. afOat anC
ashore show all the heroic courage. tn
unquestloning unfaltering loyalty, tn
splendid Indifference to hardship and death
which marked the Loyal Ronins and thel
show also that they possess the highes