The Washington times., 1907-01-02
JAP BOY FAVORS
ORIENTAL SCHOOL
A Fourteen-Year-Old Lad
Writes to President
Roosevelt.
HE DEFENDS SEGREGATION
Declares Separate Place Of Learning az
Good as ANY, Better for
the Aliens.

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 2. Taking
the opposite view OF that entertained by
every japanese IN San Francisco. four
teen-year-old Frank KobayasaI. II zllg
Bush street, promises 70 spring into in
ternational prominence by a letter he
has addressed 70 President Roosevelt
IN defense OF the segregation OF Asiat.es
In the public schools.
A controversy between the Boy-san
and the President might be a surer
means OF solving the matter than dip
lomatic negotiation between Tokyo and
Washington. No one will attempt %
deny that either is gifted with refresh
ing directnesS Of expression. As a sort
OF parallel declaration 70 that OF the
President in his message that 1t Is IN
thinkable that We should continue a
policy under which a given locality
may be allowed TO commit a crime
against a friendly nation" is the
avowal OF the Boy-San that he is ''un-
able to understand why other Japan
ese" do not attend the Oriental public
school. which is as good as any other
public school In San Francisco"
He Knows It.
Young Kobayashl has one advantage
over the President He has attended
the Oriental school in this city and can
not be justly accused OF expressing
opinions and convictions on conditions
with which he is not thoroughly famil-
lar
His letter, Ike the message Of the
President. needs no explanatory foot
notes. Here il Is In full:
Oriental Public School.
san Francisco.
"sir-As I think Il Is quite interest
ing, l would like 70 tell you my opinion
about the Oriental Public school, which
was built for the Oriental children here.
7 was a member Of the Hamilton
Grammar School until October Ii. but.
complying with the order or the board
OF education, I was transferred 20 this
school. where I am now attending the
eighth grade, skipping one whole year.
and am going 70 the high school al The
beginning OF the next term. / am the
only japanese pupil who came 20 this
school and am enjoying my lessons very
much. I have been educated among
American children and am unable 70
understand why other Japanese do not
come here. II is as good as other public
schools IN San Francisco. The teachers
give the same instruction under the
rules Of the board or education.
Pleased With School.
this school without knowing It's worth
OF course. I myself did not knew what
kind OF school il was. but after L
tending a few days / knew that this
was the best school for Oriental chill
dren, especially for japanese who did
not understand very much English or
are over the limit OF the school axe.
There are several reasons why ] say
this is the best school for them when
! think am the only Japanese in San
Francisco who comes 10 the Oriental
school
In the few months since / came here
have received 50 per cent more knoWl-
edge than ! had when / entered. I can
declare this 10 the public I am a pupil
of the graduating class and have knoWl-
edge enough 10 say this.
II am very thankful 10 Mrs NeWhafI
and Miss Greer. the principal and
teacher OF the Oriental school. who have
taught me so kindly and patiently.
Yours very truly.
FRANK KOBAYASHL"