New-York tribune., 1907-09-10
THE .4TTITUDE OF JAPAN.
Waiting for Canadian Act'on-
English Papers Embarrassed.

r.ondon. SeTt e.-The action Of the japanese
Embassy here it is understood. will be governed
largely by the attitude which the Canadian gov
eminent assumes. and whether the latter taxes
ADEQUATE steps TO protect the japanese at Van
couver from a repetition Of similar incidents
and recornpenses them for their losses.
Replying 10 an inquiry from The Associated
Press asking for his views on the anti-Japanese
outbreak at Vancouver Baron Komura. the Jap
anese Ambassador. who is spending a holiday In
the country. telegraphed to-day: Il have no
statement 10 make at present.
The news of the attacks on japanese and Chi
nese al Vancouver did not surprise the Colonial
and Foreign Office officials here, who had long
feared an outbreak against the Asiatics in west
ern Canada. but they have the greatest con-
Hdence in the ability of the Canadians TO sup
rress any disturbances and protect aliens AT
the same time the officials realize that most
serious problem has arisen, particularly as the
feeling appears TO be strongest against the SUD
1ects Of Great Britain's Eastern ally, and that
81 requires the most careful handling, for what
ever action is taken is likely TO be resented
either by the colony or by Japan. The question
has been the subject of consideration Tor some
time by the imperial authorities. who have used
their good offices on numerous occasions TO pre-
vent the enactment of anti-Japanese legislation
t,z British Columbia II is understood that the
matter was carefully discussed in the course OF
the recent visit of the colonial premiers TO Lon
don Australia being as mich opposed 10 the ad-
mission of Asiatics as are the Canadians. NO
steps were taken at the time however. and the
subject was allowed 10 lapse until agitations
were revived
All The Cabinet ministers are out of town at
rresent but the Colonial and Foreign Office off,
cials are seeking to obtain all the Information
possible on the subject Of the outbreak.
The rioting places the English newspapers IN
an embarrassing and amusing position sew
eral OF the most prominent of them were par
tic,;larly severe upon the San Francisco hood
,r,n,s'' when the outbreak of mob violence oc-
,cur,ea there. They are now confronted with
= more serious situation in a British colony,
and apparently are at loss what TO say MOST
of them are silent. The Times" whose Amer
.can correspondent severely and repeatedly de-
raounced the San Franciscans' hostility TO the
Japanese is the only morning paper comment
ing OF the Canadian demonstration The paper
deplores that iii is not at present obvious how
a permanent amelioration Of the situation is 10
he Effected attributes the troubles entirely to
labor union agitation and ridicules the idea
that few thousand japanese are likely 70
turn British Columbia or California into Mon
golian provinces.
The Pail Mall Gazette is the only afternoon
newspaper to express opinion on the sub
5ect, and it takes directly opposite view. say
ing:
The Asiatic makes his entry into Canada
under the auspices Of the great god Of cheap
ness. He comes with an oner 70 .ake Work at
half the rate. less than paid for white men ;
labor, an arrangement which none the less can
he carried out on a basis which involves
i f-aaf a6x-ance ,Yron the scale of remuneration
enjoyed IN his own country- In competition OF
this character the Caucasian belieVes-and all
a.sr iF-1- F2
his own standards of life are certain 10 be de-
3ieted and destroyed
The Pail Mall Gazette" says that the Bell
tngham and Vancouver outbreaks show that
popular sn.nosities Of the racial type are not
necessarily the outcome Of mere wanton, un-
provoked depravity," adding:
II can scarcely occur TO the home keeping
Englishmaa how slight expansive effort on
the part OF the swarming populations or the + az
East would suffice TO swamp the Western states
and provinces Of the American continent
Referring 10 British Columbia. with only 8
per cent Of its territory populated. The Pail
Mall Gazette remarks:
II an unrestricted food OF Asiatics were al
lowed 10 occupy these vacant, hospitable areas,
Il would require but few years TO produce an
Oriental predominance il the farest and rich
est possession Of the British Empire, and per-
haps defect the whole course Of its civilization
and destiny.
In conclusion the paper says:
The issue viii not permit of indefinite pro-
crastination- Failing exclusion, the situation de-
rnands alternative policy that will promptly
and efficiently Circumscribe the dangers so vivid
ly realized by their prospective victims.
The English newspapers have said little about
the Bellingham incident. The comments were all
good tempered. The Times" remarked that il
was Tot easy to reproach a foreign country
with race prejudice, in view Of the disabilities
and restrictions which the Transvaai placed on
British Indians