The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1906-12-18
THE JAPANESE QUESTION.


schools attended by white children.
That organized labor in San Francisco has boycotted
Japanese restaurants.
That japanese residents have had trouble the streets
at various times especially during Generalization follow
ing the earthquake
Admitting that all three propositions essentially
correct the question arises What is President Roosevelt
federal executive going to do about it,
Under provisions Of the japanese treaty japanese
supposed to enjoy equal advantages with citizens of this
country Their children must not be deprived of oppor
tunity for education.
California has accorded them this privilege in estab-
fishing school equal in every respect to those maintained
for white children. Will the president contend for the
right to dictate that these japanese shall attend only
schools designed for white children?
1t is difficult to draw argument from the United
States constitution uphodng any shade Of interference
in state public school affairs by federal authority Up to
the present time control of public education has been left
to state jurisdiction. To quote the constitution this
troll not of he powers not delegated to the United
States by the constitution prohibited by it to the
states and hence preserved to the states respective
ly or to the people,
Under the accepted construction of the federal
stituton it is doubtful whether treaty rights be
forced in particular affecting questions pertaining
to domestic questions left entirely to state control
The constitution Of the United States all laws made in
pursuance thereof and treaties made under authority Of
the United States must be accepted the supreme law Of
the land That is undisputed.
But all treaties must be made under authority of the
United States If the United States has authority
the public school systems of individual states how
treaty be held legally binding those states in matters
pertaining to state issues alone for instance the esab
lshment and control of public schools?
The assumption of such power the part Of the fed
eral executive would invest him with authority para
mount to the constitution Of the United States By it's
the president and the senate would be enabled to force
from state any inherent right they desired to destroy
by simply making and ratlfyng treat they would be
able to enforce DEGREES that could not be legal placed
the statute books The process ght be even expanded
until the president could suspend the functions Of state
government entirely this accomplishment depending only
the framing of treaty comprehensive enough to in
corporate all matters of local regulation. Under that
system Japan instance would have to say in
the drafting of law for the state of California than the
state itself.
In this ouburs of zeal for the coeducation of alien
race with white children it may be remembered that
Roosevelt has not yet issued edc that negro children
be admitted to white schools in the South Yet the
stituton makes the negro citizen and voter legally
titled to all the privileges that implies.
1t argued that japanese children have to travel long
distances to school, Therefore they can't attend Moth
ing is said of white children who have been put to worse
Inconvenience and fatigue under existing conditions in
San Francisco Farmers children in this country have
walked miles to school since public education
founded.
Statements affecting other complaints of the Japanese
as set out in the report of little value japanese have
been boycotted in San Francisco White have also
been boycotted in that and every other city in the
try Potatoes and pieces of brick have been thrown at
Japanese delivery and other classes have had
trouble amounting merely to streets fights such take
place daily all the land Heretofore such occurrences
have been ranked police court instead of inter-
national issues.
The of the whole trouble seems to lie in the pres
dents ignorance of the character of Aatc competition
labor is called upon to face this Coast He has
Japanese statesmen and students and forms his high
opinion OF the race from that Through this he at
tempts to invoke federal force to compel American work
angmen to an equal plane with coolie labor.
1t is not for moment supposed that Roosevelt APP
preciates this. Exercising sort of family supervision
pver nation as big as the United States is something of
task after all and the big stick can't always fall where
1t should, perhaps.
SPOKANE PRESS