Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-11
SAYS IT'S ONLY POLITICS
Trouble in San Francisco Merely q
Labor Controversy.
AGAINST JAPANESE CITIZENSHIP
Reports Sent by Takahashi to Va
maoka Regarding Ambassador
- Aoki's Attitude.

Ex-Mayor James D. Phelan of San Fran
cisco has no idea that the japanese are pre-
pared to fight the United States because of
a squabble over trouble in restaurant in
the metropolis of the Pacific coast. He
called on President Roosevelt today and
will later talk with Secretary Root. but he
does not consider the situation at all alarm
ing.
From what 1 can see Of the newspaper
talk here and in Japan the whole aihing is
one of politics. he said to Star repre-
sentative. THE party in the minority in
the japanese parliament is seeking to win
by stirring up the people of Japan against
this country. We know how politics are
managed here and can appreciate the eff
forts that are being made. 1t is hardly
probable that the Japanese people would be
so foolish as to make issue with this
country out Of tn destruction of some Jap
anese property connected with a Japanese
restaurant. The truth is that San Fran
cisco and the Pacific coast solved the
Chinese question, and it is no longer a
bother. The restriction of immigra ton is
gradually decreasing the number Of Chinese.
Similar restriction ought to eventually get
rid Of the japanese question for US. So
far as We know Japanese are no longer
brought to San Francisco by the steamship
companies from Hawaii, to which country
they go in large numbers L it stated
that thousands of them are being landed
in Mexico, and. that they expect to cross
the American Hk)rder from there. but We
shall wait and SEE how much truth there is
in that.
Labor Question Involved.
In San Francisco the Chinese are quar-
tered in one part of the city, while the Jap
anese scatter all over the city. 1t seems
th-t they established a restaurant in the
union labor section of the city, and .epend-
ed for support on stray white men who
gave them patronage. 1t seems that two
white men went into the restaurant for
, something to eat and when they came out
they We're met by union labor white men,
who objected to- their patroniZing a Jap
anese restaurant. This led to row, during
which some of the property in the restau-
rant was destroyed. Uhe motive back of it
all, as understand it, was not one of race
prejudice but simply the objection of union
labor people to white men patronizing a
restaurant run on non-union basis and by
people supposed to be hostile to union labor.
If 1t is to become an international question
l suppose we will have to turn over to the
mikado all of our labor problems for solu-
ton.
There will be no race war in San Fran
cisco and the japanese there will receive
abundant protection. The restaurant Incl
dent occurred at a time when the police of
the city were engaged in a street car strike
and had their hands full
But to the agitation of the japanese
for citizenship In this country?"
well, that can never be, and I do not
believe President Roosevelt will insist on
his recommendations to that effect. He has
probably learned that the japanese are not
fit for citizenship in this country, and he
has probably found out that the California
people do not propose to let the japanese
take their section of the country and run
away with it. The Jap is undesirable for
citizenship in this country. He has no
home life here, brings no wife or children
with him. does not marry in this country,
is mona ssimilable supports no schools. no
churches, no thea tiers, and takes upon him
self none of the burdens of citizenship. II
he should be naturalized he would not give
loyal allegiance to the United States in