Los Angeles herald., 1908-05-19
AMBITION UNITS
JAPANESE FOR LINES
OF MENIAL LABOR

While fhe ambition of the Japanese
to rise above the level of menial labor
is undoubtedly to their credit, the fact
remains that this same ambition unhts
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 few
weeks on the Jobs where they are
wanted and then graduate into bankers
and merchant princes they are prob
ably 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 Amer
leans from Commodore Perry on down,
the rank and file of their countrymen
who are living here do not bear out
their statements. The Japanese ora
tors tell us of the gratitude of their
nation for the lessons we have taught
them, and the friendship we have
shown them. This looks we'll in print
but how much appreciation do we actu-
ally find among the Japanese who live
in the United States? Instead OF try
ing to cultivate the good will OF the
people who only few years ago well
coined them here, the Japanese have
seemed utterly lnullltTtIll " tlit ltCt
that many of their actions were irri-
tating to their traditional friends and
benefactors."
In the White River valley. between
Seattle and Tacoma, the inhabitants
are very much incensed at the Japan
ese 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 pres
ence of the boisterous Japanese men
and boys in large numbers in the parks
of Seattle on Sundays and holidays has
becume so Objectionable that many
ladies' and children have ceased to fire.
quent these pleasant Fairgrounds. Still
another cause for complaint is the inn
portation of Japanese girls for immoral
PURPOSES. The lay is evaded by means
of bogus marriages, and the fmmfgra-
tion officials have been put to much
trouble In trying to stamp out the evil.
One point in favor of the Japanese
as against the Chinese is that they are
better customers for American-made
goods. They Immediately adopt Ameri-
can wearing apparel, while the average
Chinaman Is content to dress in the
simple garb his fathers have worn for
ages. The Japanese also buys more
American-made food supplies and neces-
saries than the frugal Chinaman.
When 1t comes to a show of public
spirit the japanese again outranks the
Chinaman. At the time the cruiser
Washington visited Seattle the Jap
anese colony subscribed literally to the
funds for entertaining the sailors, and
made handsome presents to the officers.
They take 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-
tion wherever they may be found, at
home or abroad. The trouble with them
seems to be their inability to come up
to specifications. Their diplomacy Is
always just a few laps ahead of their
ability to deliver the goods. AS this
failing becomes more generally recog-
nized their speechmakers are going to
experience much difficulty In keeping
oil on the troubled waters. The indi-
vidual Japanese has fallen so far short
of expectations in regard to honesty,
reliability and compatibility that he
entirely discredits the fine utterances of
his official orators. In short, he Is such
disappointment that his future con-
tact with Americans will cause dip
lomacy to have its hands full to keep
the peace.
Copyright, 1908, by Frederic ]. Haskiu.)
TOmorrow-The Rebuilding of Seattle.