The Washington herald., 1908-05-23


ment toward the japanese in this coua-
Try than Portland. It will be remember
ed that in 1905 the people OF this city held
the most successful Of latter-day exposi-
tions. At this memorable fair, which mad
a total attendance double the entire pop
ulation Of the States Of Oregon. Wash
ington. and Idaho at that time. partieu-
lar difference was paid to the japanese
and Orientals in general. The exchange
OF cpurtesies between the exposition Of
fcials and the japanese representatives
was most cordial, and the japanese were
absolutely the most popular Of all yis-
itors. receiving even more attention than
notable guests from the Eastern States
and Europe
At that time the japanese. both resi-
dent and transient, accepted this defer
ential attention most graciously, but to-
day this is all changed Now the Jap
anese OF everyday life In Portland af-
feet the extreme In American costume,
take the middle OF the sidewalk, and de-
mand in an ostentatious way that atten-
tion which was formerly given them SO
doubtedIy be made for these cocky man
ners II the faults OF the japanese ended
there. But their unpopularity is not due
TO such trivial cause. The indictment
against them is of a much more serious
character. In discussing the japanese
question on the Pacific Coast. the senior
member Of one Of the leading insurance
firms in Portland said:
None could have been more friendly
in their inclinations toward the japanese
than our firm was a few years ago. We
thought their coming here was Just the
thing the country needed, and we reeeiv-
ed them with open arms. But we have
had our eyes thoroughly opened by this
time. Our experience with them has
been so costly that now we not only re-
fuse to write any Japanese insurance
risks whatever, but when a japanese
firm or family moves into a building that
We have insured We Immediately cancel
the policy"
The gentleman went on to say that
while the action Of his firm In refusing
all Japanese business was an extrsordi-
nary proceeding, its experience had been
such as TO leave them no other course
firm, one that was avowedly friendly IN
the beginning, take such a stand against
them, Is indeed a singing srraignment
against the commercial morality Of the
Japanese. The reader may well draw
the conclusion that the members Of any
race who create such a reputation in a
community where they have been received
in the best Of faith. viii likely doom the
aspirations Of their country 10 become
one Of the greatest powers Of the world.
TnnumerabIe instances may be given
10 show how the attitude Of Americans
toward the japanese has changed He
makes an excellent first impression. but
by getting better acquainted with him
one invariably learns that the little
brown man is an empty diplomat He
assumes honesty. but just when one
feels sure Of him he proves a disappoint-
ment In giving an account OF a pur-
chase he made from a japanese china |
ware dealer, a prominent Portland citi-
zen said:
He took particular pains 10 show me
with his lead pencil that each plate was
solid. and called my especial attention
to one uicked saucer that was cast aside.
was so impressed by his seeming hon
esty that I willingly made the purchase.
AS I went away I felt that the general
charge about the dishonesty Of the jap
anese must be unfounded. Ina CINE my
disgust when I got home and found my
wife in a high state Of dudgeon because
fully half of the plates were nieked.
Now. that japanese laughed in his sleeve
and considered himself clever by taking
He evidently did not stop to consider that
the dishonest gain he made by this sin
gle transaction will be more than Offset
by the fact that he will lose ali my Gus
tom hereafter. Moreover. my experience !
with him will put me or my guard against !
all japanese in future. so his psltry profit |
was really gained at the expense Of his
countrymen everywhere
There can be no doubt that the bad
reputation the japanese are acquiring |
will prove costly TO their commercial in |
teTests in general There is already a |
large falling off in the demand for Jap
anese fancy goods and novelties which |
were so popular in this country a few
years ago. While the passing OF the fad
for things japanese may have contributed
to the decrease in the demand for them. |
the more direct causes for their decline |
in popularity are their ffimsy quality and |
the dishonest methods Of Japanese deal |
ers Honesty is the best policy in bust |
ness. and the japanese will have 10 learn |
this great truth or they will never real |
ize their ambition TO become a great trad |
ing nation While il is true that there |
are Americans. both at home and abroad, |
who engage in questionable business |
methods, the corner stone Of our great |
Fe1 10 Faf
the majority of our mighty army Of trad |
ers are square. In so far as the japanese
have patterned after American prac- /
tees they seem to have made the unfor- |
tunate choice of initiating the worst fea-
lures Of our system rather than emulating /
the best.
A striking commentary on the failure |
Of the japanese 10 grasp the secret OF |
business success is their lack of credit |
here The Chinese wholesalers in Port
lands Chinatown are universally liked. !
Their reputation for honesty is well es-
tablished and they stand high with the
and big business concerns. This
cannot be said of the japanese. Although |
they were well received when they came /
here, and have been given a fair chance,
they have failed 10 make good The |
feeling Of prejudice against them is con
stantiy growing, and instead of trying /
20 overcome this unfavorsble impression /
the Japanese seem inclined TO encourage |
it by adopting an air of indifferent dis |
dain, They are indeed short sighted IL /
they do not recognize the fact that the /
success of their residence in a foreign /
country depends entirely upon their abil- |
ity to win and retain the good will Of |
the people among whom they have cast |
their lot.
A notable exception to the prevailing |
feeling in Portland Is that /
all business men speak highly of one |