The San Francisco call., 1907-01-29
WOULD BAR ADULT
BROWN PUPILS
Methodist Preachers Asso-
citation Voices Views on
Japanese School Question
FOR FAIR PLAY

At largely attended meeting of the
Methodist Preachers Association of
San Francisco and vicinity, the COM
mittee appointed at a previous meeting
TO express the views OF the associa-
tion on the Japanese question presented
the following report, which, after a
brief discussion, was adopted without
a dissenting voice:
During the present agitation occssioned by the
segregation Of japanese pupils from the regular
public schools Of San Francisco, an agitation
which has come TO invoHye the larger Question
OF Japanese immieratione this preachers meeting
has hitherto taken no action, we did not
deem 1t within our province to give deliverances
upon public questions except as they involve well
defined moral issues, and most Of the ques-
lions involved In the agitation are questions OF
fact and OF interne tionsl and statute laws, to
be authoritiVely adJudicated by the proper tri-
bunels.
But since certain broad ethical principles seem
TO be involved deem IL proper TO place on
record the following statement OF our attitude
1. We stand, we have ever stood, for the
fatherhood of God and the universal brotherhood
OF man, and We use that phrase not as a mel
nnuons catchword; TO be mouthed without mean
Ing, preached but not practiced, but we use IL
as an expression Of one Of the most vital truths
OF Christianity. God hath made OF one blood
all the nations Of men; hence, TO oppress or os-
tracise men account Of their race or color is
high treason against God and humanity. and
they who today judge manhood by the color OF
the skin have got into the wrong century and
the wrong country.
2 We recognize that while God hath made of
one blood all the nations OF men, BE hath also
appointed the bounds OF their habitation and
equal rights does not mean that all national
boundaries are to be wiped out. We do not
deem II wise expedient to land shores
q vast number OF the lower classes of immigrants
from Asia or from Europe, convinced as we are
that such unrestricted immigration must in
eyitably lower the standards OF American life
and American manhood. and must degrade Amer
lean labor.
s. SO far, however, as Japanese immigration is
concerned, we have II on the very highest au-
thority that the japanese Government is op-
posed to the immigration of unskilled japanese
laborers TO the United States, directly or In
directly, and has ss mater .h Of fact, Tor the
tion hither, and express our hrm conviction
that IT can be and should be left to the diplo-
macy OF the two nations, now on such amlcable
terms 10 adjust the whole matter in manner
satisfactory to both.
T. With regard to the exclusion Of Japanese
and other Oriental pupils from the lower grades
OF our regular public schools, waive all dis
cussion OF the legal questions involved and agree
that there should be objection to the exclu-
sion OF adult or Rdoleseent pupils of whatever
nationality from the lower grades OF our schools,
or TO the establishment Of language test ad-
mitting no pupil who cannot speak English, nor
TO the establishment of cosmopolitan school
for all aliens But we submit as an ethical
proposition, nay, as a matter or Anglo-SaIon
fair play, 10 say nothing Of treaty rights. that
il is un-American as well un-Christian to dis
criminate against any single race on race
ground alone, while other nRtionalities are freely
admitted
II is quite natural and wholly creditable to the
japanese people that they object 10 establishing
separate schools for their children, thus placing
upon them the ban and brand of race inferiority.
Finally, we counsel patience and moderation
at this crisis when efforts being made TO
infame public sentiment and enkindle race
antagonism. This question Will be settled by
civilized and lawful methods. and not by dema-
gogism, denuncistion violence.
The discussion on the report was
as to the insertion of the words 'and
other Oriental" after the word Jap
anese" in the fourth section. 1t was
finally decided to assert them.