The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1906-12-08

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stranger who has come here lawfully
and who Is conducting himself prop.
erly. To remember this is incumbent
on every American citizen. and it il
of course peculiarly Incumbent on ev-
cry government Official, whether Of
the nation, or of the several states.
I am prompted to say this by the
attitude of hostility here and there az
sumed toward the Japanese in this
country. This hostility is sporadic
and is limited to a very few places.
Nevertheless, it is most discreditable
to us as a people, and 1t 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
a century ago, when Commodore Per-
ry, by his expedition to japan, first
opened the islands to western civili-
cation. Since then the growth Of
Japan has been literally astounding.
There is not only nothing to parallel
it, but nothing to approach it 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
lions from whom the people of the
United States have chiefly sprung.
But so years ago Japan's development
was still that OF the middle ages. Dur
ing that so 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 civilized
nations; great in the arts of war and
in the arts of peace; great in military.
in Industrial, or artistic development
and achievement.
Our nation fronts on the Pacific, just
as it fronts on the Atlantic. We hope
to place a constantly growing part in
the great ocean Of the Orient. We
wish, as we ought to wish, for a great
commercial development in our deal
ings with Asia; and it is out of the
question that we should permanently
have such development unless we free
ly and gladly extend to other nations
the same measure of justice and good
treatment which we expect to receive
in return. It is only very small body
of our citizens that act badly. Where
the federal government has power it
will deal summarily with any such.
Where the several states have power
earnestly ask that they also deal
wisely and promptly with such con-
duct, or else this small body of wrong
doors may bring shame upon the great
mass of their innocent and right-think-
ing fellows-that is, upon our nation
as whole. Good manners should be
an international no less than an indi-
vidual attribute. l ask fair treatment
for the Japanese as l would ask fair
treatment for Germans or English
men, Frenchmen, Russians, or Ital-
ians. I ask it as due to humanity and
civilization. I ask it as due to our
selves because we must act upright
toward all men.
NaturaIize Japanese.
I recommend to congress that an act
be passed specifically providing for
the naturalization of Japanese who
come here intending to become Amer
lean citizens. One of the great en-
barrassments attending the perform
ance of our international obligations
is the fact that the statutes Of the
United States are entirely inadequate.
They fail to give to the national gov
eminent sufficiently ample power,
through United States courts and by
the use of the army and navy, to pro-
tect aliens in the rights secured to
them under solemn treaties which are
the law of the land. I therefore ear
nestly recommend that the criminal
and civil statutes of the United States
be so amended and added to as to en-
able the president, acting for the
United States government, which is
responsible in our international rela-
lions. to enforce the rights OF aliens
under treaties.
Conditions in Cuba.
Last August an insurrectiOn broke
out in Cuba which it speedily grew
evident that the existing Cuban gov
eminent was powerless to quell. This
government was repeatedly asked by
the then Cuban government to inter-
vene, and finally was notified by the
president of Cuba that he intended to
resign; that his decision was irrevoc-
able; that none Of the other cOnstitu-
tional officers would consent to carry
the government, and that he was pow
erless to maintain order.
Thanks to the preparedness OF our
navy, I was able Immediately to send
enough ships to Cuba to prevent the
situation from becoming hopeless; and
I furthermore dispatched to Cuba the
secretary of war and the assistant
secretary of state, In order that they
might grapple with the situation on
the ground. All efforts to secure an
agreement between tho contend1nS
factions, by which they should them
selves come to an amicable under
and settle upon some modus
viyendi- some provisional government
Of their own-failed. Finally the pres
ident Of the republic resigned. The
quorum of congress assembled failed
BY deliberate purpose Of Its members,
30 that there was no power to act on
his resignation. and the government
came to q halt. In accordance with
the so-called Plat amendment. which
was embodied in the constitution OF
Cuba. thereupon proclaimed pro
yisional government for the island, the
secretary Of war acting al provisional
governor until he could be replaced Dy
Mr.. Magoon, the late minister to Fan
anna and governor Of the canal zone
on the isthmus; troops were sent 70