The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1907-02-22
Olney On Japan Issue.

The japanese contention that they
have the right under the treaty be-
tween us to the free use of the white
public schools of San Francisco for
Japanese children, and indeed for older
people, is held to be untenable by ex-
Secretary of State Onley. The treaty
itself, Mr.. Olney thinks, excludes such
an issue, for it contains an explicit
reservation, which gives all our states
such rights as California has exercised
in the organization of its San Francisco
public schools. Said treaty gives the
JaDanese who come here the same privi-
leges, rights and liberties as citizens
of the United States, but there is an
exception that undoubtedly covers the
question of the right of any state to
create separate schools from scholars
of different color or nationality.
That exception is contained in the
last paragraph of article of said
treaty as follows:
at is, however, understood that the
stipulations contained in this and the
preceding article do not in any way
affect the laws, ordinances and regula-
tions in regard to trade, the immigra-
ton of iaborers, police and public Sc
curity, either in force or which may
hereafter be enacted in either of the
two countries.
Mr.. Olney says: Il am unable to
see how the meaning and effect of the
paragraph just quoted can be misunder-
stood. 1t embodies an expressed de-
claration that the stipulations of article
/ are in no way to affect the laws, or
dinances and regulations with regard
to police and public security which are
in force, or which may hereafter be
enacted in either of the two countries.
In other words, the congeries of i'm
portant powers. known as the police
power, is untouched ard unimpaired by
this treaty.
What California has chosen to do
with reference to the San Francisco
public schools raises no question under
the treaty with Japan, and is a subject
matter with which the national govern
ment has no right to concern itself. an
short, the entire police power of the
country, being reserved by the treaty
in favor of either the United States or
the several states, and the establish
ment, maintenance and organization Of
the public schools of each state, COM
ing under the whole police power of
that state exclusively, Japan is wholly
without cause of complaint against
California by reason of its public school
system, and the United States is with
out legal ground of interference with
that system, vi ct arms, or otherwise"
. If the Japanese are determined to
come to the United States, especially
the Pacific states, they will have to
put up with the local laws they find
there, just the same as citizens of the
United States residing in Japan Rave
to be satisfied with the laws and Gus
toms that Japan has established.
The whole trouble arises from the
fact that the Japanese consider them
selves superior to the Chinese and their
dignity is hurt by their children in San
Francisco being obliged to attend the
separate schools established for child
rem of Monaghan parents. It's small
matter to quarrel over and as the
whole influence of the administration
is being used to coerce the municipal
authorities of San Francisco, probably
some compromise will be effected as a
temporary arrangement. But japan !
may as well be made to understand
first as last that this country is being
run for the citizens thereof and not for
the benefit of foreigners.