Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1906-1908, 1907-07-05
TOXIC PEACE PLEA
BOYCOTT THREAT.
CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE ADOPT
RESOLUTION ADDRESSED TO
AMERICANS.
SAN FRANCISCO MUST STOP
Japanese Merchants Intimate Western
Trade Will Cease Unless Anti-For-
eign Attacks Cease.

TOXIC, June 29.-At a joint meeting
OF seven chambers of commerce here it
was resolved to address the principal
chambers of commerce in America as
follows:
1T has always been a matter of pro-
found satisfaction to the people of Japan
to witness the constant growth of cor
dial relations between our two countries
and OF our community interests in the
fields of trade and commerce.
But since last year the people in a
section OF your country have unfortu-
nateIy acted in manner calculated to
prejudice the legitimate rights of Japa-
nese people who have been frequently
subjected to unjust and humiliating
treatment at the hands of a lawless ele-
ment prevailing there. The right of edu-
cation has been denied them; their
houses have repeatedly been attacked
and their property destroyed without the
least cause or provocation with the re-
suit that not only have the treaty rights
OF the japanese been Wantonly dlSre-
Sarded, but their persons and property
also have been exposed to serious dam
gers.
War Means Big Loss.
1t is, to be EXTREMITY regretted that
such unfortunate incidents should be al
lowed to occur SO frequently as it is
feared that unless they are speedily
stopped the ill-feeling which our coun-
trymen are now constrained to harbor
against the people of a single section iii
America may eventually have an IN
happy effect upon the DEVELOPMENT of
the commercial relations between the
two nations, for while the United States
is good customer for our natural prod
ucts, Japan is also increasing her de-
mand Tor American goods and promises
to become one of the most important
markets for your ever-eXpanding and
prosperous industries. Should the prog
reSs OF trade and commerce between the
two nations become INSTRUCTED at the
result of the unwarrantable action of a
small section of your population, the
loss sustained by the two countries would
be incalcuable.
we, therefore, venture to address you
and express our views upon the situa-
ton. confident in the hope that they will
be shared by you and that you will, con-
slderlng the matter upon the right
principles of national intercourse and
the mutual advantages of trade relations,
do your best to speedily eliminate the
present causes of discord and insure
our common prosperity for the future. -
Plead With Roosevelt.
The chambers of commerce have also
addressed President Roosevelt as fol
| lows:
I'VE have always watched with pro-
found satisfaction the growing strength
of the bonds of traditional friendship be-
tween America and Japan, coupled with
the steady progress of the commerce be
tween the two nations. It is therefore
a source of deep regret and concern to
learn of the actions frequently reported
since last year of a section of the COM
munity in San Francisco against Japa-
nese residents there, whose persons and
property have thus been exposed to seri-
Gus danger While highly approaching
your unremitting efforts in the cause of
justice we humbly think that if such
abuses are allowed to continue the de
velOpment of commerce based upon the
| friendly relations of the two nations
may be eventually retarded.
Presidents Aid Asked.
I'VE. the undersigned representatives
of chambers of commerce, taking especial
interest in the promotion of our mutual
economic relations, are unable to remain
silent spectators of this state of affairs.
We, accordingly. have addressed the
principal chambers of commerce in Amer
lea inviting them to exert their best en-
dcavors for the ameloration of the situa-
ton, relying at the same time upon your
personality and wisdom for Il speedy and
satisfactory solution of existing Difficult
ties and we respectfully appeal to you
for yOur friendly SDirit -