The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1908-06-04

belief that he is the equal or superiol
OF every member Of the household il
which he unemployed. The least uttl,
friction never fails TO bring this Do7n
TO the surface. One lady EXPRESSED
the experience of many housewives or
the Pacific Coast when she said: This
japanese are too proud and sensitive I,
work out. l got 50 l was afraid ID
tell one Of them 10 sprinkle the iawr
for fear l would Insult some of his
ancestors. or step on the toes Of the
NIikado.''
A saloon keeper who wanted a
porter was heard bewanIng the fact
| that he had to depend upon the Japan
csc for this kind of work He formerly
had a Chinese who stayed with him
/ through long term of years, and only
| gave UP his job after he became toe
old to work. The old Chnaman pat
! tered around the place in his sandals
doing his work quietly and painstak-
ingly. He had no ambition, but he was
a fine porter. Since the old man went
away, there has been a succession Of
| japanese boys in his stead. AS yet
none of them have remained over six
months. They invariably go TO night
| school, study English around the place
during the day, adopt American clothes,
and soon quit their jobs.
While the ambition of the Japanese
to rise above the level of mental labor
| is undoubtedly to their credit, the fact
remains that this same ambition units
them for the class of work for which
they are most needed. The argument
advanced for allowing them to come
to this country is that their labor IS
necessary to develop its resources, but
if they are going to work only a few
weeks on the jobs where they are
wanted, and then graduate into bank
ers and merchant princes, they are
probably too smart for this climate.
The main thing the Pacific Coast needs
is muscle.
While Japanese officials are busy
telling US how the Japanese love the
United States and admire all Ameri-
cans from Commodore Perry on down,
the rank and file of their oountrymen
who are living here do not bear out
their statements. The Japanese orat-
ors tell US of the gratitude of their
nation for the lessons we have taught
them, and the friendship we have
shown them. This looks well in print
but how much appreciation do we
actually find among the japanese who
live in the United States? Instead Of
trying to cultivate the good will of the
people who only few years ago well
coined them here, the japanese have
seemed utterly Indifferent to the fact
that many of their actions were ir-
ritating to their traditional friends
and benefactors.''
Tro1J hot
Seattle and Tacoma, the inhabitants
are very much incensed at the Japan
csc because they insist on violating the
law prohibiting the killing of robins,
meadow larks, thrushes and other kinds
of song birds. 1t is said that the
presence of the boisterous Japanese
men and boys in large numbers in the
parks of Seattle on Sundays and holi-
days has become so Objectionable that
many ladies and children have ceased |
to frequent these pleasant play |
grounds. Still another cause for com |
plant is the importation of Japanese |
girls for immoral purposes. The law |
is evaded by means of bogus mar
riages, and the immigration officials |
have been put to much trouble in try |
ing to stamp out the evil.
One point in favor of the Japanese as |
against the Chinese is that they are bet |
ter customers for American-made goods. |
They Immediately adopt American wear |
ing apparel while the average China |
man is content to dress in the simple |
garb his fathers have worn for ages. |
The japanese also buys more Ameri- |
food supplies and neces- |
saries than the frugal Chinaman. When |
it comes to a show of public spirit, the |
japanese again outranks the China |
man. At the time the cruiser Wash
ington visited Seattle the Japanese
colony subscribed literally to the funds
for entertaining the sailors. and made |
handsome presents to the officers.
They take a prominent part in Fourth
Of July celebrations and other Ameri- |
can holidays. providing speakers, fire.
works and other regulation features
Of such occasions.
As a matter of fact the Japanese are
right up to date in official representa-
ton wherever they may be found at
home or abroad. The trouble with
them seems to be their inability to
come up to specifications. Their Dip
omacy is always just few laps ahead
IF their ability to deliver the goods.
As this failing becomes more general
y recognized their speech makers are
going to experience much difficulty in
keeping oil on the troubled waters. The
Individual Japanese has fallen so far
short of expectations in regard to hon
esty. reliability and compatibility, that
ne entirely discredts the fine utter
ances of his official orators. In short,
ne is such disappointment that his
future contact with Americans will
cause diplomacy to have its hands full
= rcor, q /