Mountain Home maverick. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1906-1911, 1906-12-20
VIEWS OF CAlIf0RNIANS
ON THE JAP PROPOSITION

In an interview given to repre-
sentative of the Associated Press, |
Mr.. Altman, president of the San
Francisco board of education, refer
ring particularly to the presidents
message, said: with all due def
erence to President Roosevelt, l
must say it surprises me that with
all the minuteness of detail of in
formation furnished to Victor H.
Mtecalf, who came to San Francisco
as the special representative OF the
Or esidcnt in this matter and who
on his return to Washington must
have undoubtedly placed all OF this
information at the disposal of the
chief executive of the country, there
should be snch display on the part
of President Roosevelt as to state
in his message that Japanese pu-
pills are barred from the public
schools of this city. This would
lead people outside of San Fran
cisco to believe that we refused an
education to the Japanese children.
Japanese children have not been ex-
cludcd from the schools of San
Francisco. The impression already
gone forth that the Japanese were
excluded from our local institutions
of learning arises from the fact that
a section of the school law of the
state of California providing for a
separate school for these childre n
has been put into force and effect.
In other words, far from barring the
Japanese children from the public
schools of San Francisco, the board
: of education has merely said to
them: Attend this particular
school and there find all the advan-
tages and facilities which are pro
vided our own white children. :"
Benjamin Ide Wheeler, of the
University of California, undertakes
to smooth things over in California
although declaring that in most re
spects he agrees With Presiden
Roosevelt. Mr.. Wheeler says:
s'Cordial relations with Japan
both commercially and otherwise
are of prime Importance to the Pa
cific coast, particularly to San Fran
cisco. The school question is reall
in itself a small natter, at least Il
p volume, for only a small number G
j. pupils is involved. Many, if nc
e most, of these are adults, and adult
st should not be allowed in the lowe
If schools, no matter of what race
e If it had been only children invol
l. we'd I can not think the questio
e would have been raised. The ques
s ton that is disturbing us as peopl
Of concerns the rapid immigration
r Japanese laborers, and this questio
at you must surely know is safe in tn
t. hands of the president, who is q
a once the well proven friend {
rs Japan, and thoroughgoing Amer
is lean in full sympathy with tn
cs needs and aspirations of the peopl
he of the Pacific coast. The immigrs
re ton of Japanese coolies will have
X be restricted in the interest OF cor
at ditions here, in the interest of GOO
ne understanding between the two nj
it tions and ultimately, as we believ'
e. Japan will see ii in the interest
nd Japan herself, but this is delica
matter requiring delicate treatmen
SIS Japan is first rate power al
ma whatever is done will have to
g done with her consent and cooper
he ton. 1t is best not to be disturb
en- about the president. He unde
IT. stands our situation and when I
* clouds Ioll by he will be found o
at best friend, too. -
on The treaty entered into betwe
ire the United States and Japan