The Boise citizen. (Boise, Idaho) 1906-1910, 1907-03-08

cision OF the supreme court Of the
United States as to the validity of their
citizenship papers, their cases will be de-
cided by the court according to its inter
probation of the constitution. On the
whole, therefore, the japanese have not
the privilege of naturalization in the
United States. Setting aside the ques-
ton of justice in the matter, such is an
indisputable fact of the law as It stands
When persons who come from Italy,
Germany, Ireland, Russia, Spain, Portu-
gal and other countries have the privi-
lege of naturalization, it is an insult to
the Japanese to deny the privilege to
them alone. The Japanese call them
selves a nenlightened race They class
themselves as a nation among the
strongest civilized powers of the world
But in the United States they are not
accorded the right which even the peo-
pie of poor and minor nations of Eu-
rope have If the United States govern
ment denies the japanese the same right
to become citizens that it gives to the
Europeans, where is the sincerity of the
American people? Naturalization, view
ed from the standpoint of international
private laws, is a special privilege of
the people OF civilized nations on equal
terms The Americans may be natural
lied in Japan. The japanese cannot be
naturalized in America. 1t is against the
principle of reciprocity embodied in in
ternational law Are the japanese so I
generous as to accept good naturedly the /
discriminative treatments in America, as
if they were the people of far inferior
race in the international position? Has |
not the japanese government the cour-
age even for the sake of dignity to open /
negotiations with the United States gov
ernment in regard to this matter?
We owe much to America for our civ I
ilization and progress. Our country
men are all grateful We look up to
America as our real guide in ciyiliza-
ton, as our propitious friend, and as
more than our ally. In spite OF this re-
lationship, America still looks down
upon the japanese as an inferior race,
denies even the privileges Of nat
uralization, and takes an at
titude of seclusion and exclusiveness.
This is indeed lamentable affair for the
Americans who are proud Of being the
champions of the cause Of humanity
Fortunately, concludes Mr. Matsumo-
to, President Roosevelt values "our mu-
tual friendship, and appreciates our ma
tional characteristics"
It is not therefore, impossible to look
for a satisfactory solution of the prob
lem during the administration of such
a sympathetic statesman. The interna-
tional agreement takes precedence OF
the national constitution of either party
to the agreement. To-day, the Ameri-
can president has the support of the ma
jority in congress, and an unprecedented
influence and popularity. He is en-
dowed with veto power by the constitu-
ion. When such a great statesman, who
is proud of being a friend of the Japa-
lese people, has the reins OF govern
nent in his hand, it is high time that c
We take the opportunity offered to see
hat the problem meets with favorable
solution. If, by hesitation, we fail to c
yrasp the opportunity, l fear we may t
ose forever the key to the solution.
Therefore, l urge our diplomats in ser t
nee to open immediate negotiations in t
egard to naturalization This is a way
o harmonic sentiments of the two na- d
ions, and to perpetuate the friendly re- Il
alton existing between Japan and Amer n
ca.
FOOLING THE PEOPLE. r;