The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-06
He KNOWS THE JAP
A. II. Priest, Dean Of University
of Washington, Is Here.
Says That Race Prejudice Is
Confined to California.
JAPANESE ALL RIGHT.
Received Into All Schools in
State Of W ashington.
Principal Trouble Is the Age Of
Japanese Pupils.
JAPANESE ALL RIGHT

That the Jap is not the nuisance he
is painted. is the verdict Of Arthur R.
Priest, dean of the college of liberal
arts, University of Washington.
Dean Priest is making a short visit
with his sister, Mrs. G. NJ. Lawrence,
of 1901 Topeka avenue, and leaves to-
night for his home in Washington. D.
c., for a visit. IN an interview today
he stated that the Japanese who came
to the western coast states for the pur-
pose of acquiring an education, were,
as rule, peaceable, gentlemenly young
men, who did not force themselves
upon the Americans socially or other
wise. AS Dean Priest IS in position
to know what he is talking about, he
throws 81 new light on the scare
heads about the japanese Peril
The race arguments and disturb
ances of California said Dean Priest,
have not affected the northwest No
conflict Of feeling on the subject Of
foreign school attendance has reached
Oregon or Washington, where we have
a greater per cent of Japanese than
they have in California. And, in truth,
you hear more about the race troubles
here than do we residents of the ad-
joining states. There may be some
strong race prejudice in California, but
it is not so strong as the stories would
Indicate
When asked about his experience
with Japanese scholars. he said:
In Washington the Japanese attend
both the grade and high schools with
white children, and no trouble is ex--
perienced. We have six or eight Japa-
nese students in the state university
at present, and have had one or more
in every graduating class for a numbe
of years. There is one in the gradual
ing class of this year. 1 have observ-
ed that these Japanese students take
part in all active debating societies, or
oratorical work, but so far as 1 can
reccllect, they have done nothing in
athletics. They cling rather to the
features which will aid them in ac-
quiiing the sought-for American edu-
cation.
I'VE have a large percentage of Jap
anese labor on the ranches and rail
roads, and the only racial feeling /
ever saw was six years ago when Jim
Hill displaced all white men on the
section work with japanese laborers.
Some feeling was shown at that time,
but no violence.
japanese boys and girls form a
large per cent of the domestic help,
and among these house servants are
graduates of the higher schools and
even the colleges of Japan, who would
scorn positions Of seryitude in their
own country, but take this method Of
acquiring the language. They yearn to
speak English, which is more Of an
object to them than the compensation
they receive.
Il have employed them in my own
household, and found them quiet, gen
t1emanly and superior in many ways TO
the average run of house servants. In
particular I would mention a young
Japanese, probably rs years of age,
who is now in my employ. He gradu-
ates from the high school this year,
and intends to enter the university. I
have found him a gentleman Of excep-
tional integrity, intelligence and high
moral character. I believe the racial
trouble in the California schools is the
result of the difference in age. Not
withstanding the fact that a majority
of these students are highly educated
in their own country, upon coming into
the American school they must begin
at the bottom-the second or third
grades, and the mingling of grown men
and little tots of seven or eight years,
causes the dissatisfaction. But have
observed that these Japanese who sit
in class with little children, go on about
their business at play time, and never
attempt to mingle with their American
classmates in any way.
1.-THE Japanese recognize this unfOr
tunate feature, and I believe that
majority of them would be in favor of
separate schools were it not for the
advantage derived from contact with
the English language. On my way out
here, I met an intelligent Japanese on
the train. He was on his way to Ger
many to take a course in the higher
arts. having graduated from noted
college in the west He said he wished
there was some more effective way for
the Japanese to acquire an education
in the country, and deplored the racial
Ill feeling"
Mr.. Priests visit in Topeka is a brief
one. He arrived Wednesday and leaves
tonight