The Boise citizen. (Boise, Idaho) 1906-1910, 1909-02-19
EASTERN VIEW OF JAP QUESTION

the discussion Of the Japanese question which has been agtatng the
California legislature and the president:
The singular fact OF all the legislative measures relating
to the japanese in California the only one to be pushed 70 oe
was that relating the school question: brings back the stuaon
TO the exact condition where years The proposals
TO forbid japanese aliens hold land to segegate them INTO
quarters and forbid them from becoming members
OF California corporations all abandoned But the lower house
Of the California legislature last week passed. by vote OF % 70 20
b te effect OF which would egregate japanese children III
special schools write than probable that the
Assembly not that the Senate VIII re
e 10 mass the hill or if does not that Governor Giett will
veto IL Most assuredy bill should fail in to become
law and probably its trainers never seriously expected It 10 go
book President Roosevelt IN despatch to Governor
Cett declared This is the offensive bill OF all and IN my
Judgment is clearly unconstitutional and should at once have to
test Then the Governor in special message the
Legislature pointed the folly OF the bill IN these words
There has general demand for such legislation there
immediate danger to our schools and no bad influence
therein by Of the attendance OF any Japanese pupils
attending public schools and there IS no OCCASION present at least
for any alarm 1t claimed by Japan and admitted by the author
tiles Washington that the bill passed will be IN violation OF the
treaty existing between the two Governments
The truth Of this emphasized by considering the figures
The Outlook Az that tue there we're only nneythe japanese
scholars the primary and grammar schools OF San Francisco
little than average OF one to each school building OF these
onehird were born IN the United States twenty were girls
trour Of the boys under fifteen years OF and only
twenty years old while the President Of the Board OF
Education admitted that nothing could be SAID against the general
character and department of the japanese scholars The sua
ton has changed materially regards the schools and
perfectly that the proposal japanese scholars
because OF their number conduct but part of racial crusade
undoubtedly that many intelligent people in California
seriously impressed with that the Pacific Coast may be
with Japanese immigration and depore the growth of
other race question But what ever there may be this
contention every reasoning person does know that the question of
immigration is National and ought know that is being
dealt with by the Governments OF the United States and Japan
the most friendly and courteous shirt That il being dealt with
effectively also shown by the immigration statistics of 1908 which
state that fewer japanese aboe have this country than
have gone and that including immigrants who
hboers there has been addition of only three hundred and
nineteen japanese month population of eighty five millions
1t admitted all sides that State has right segregate
school children in any way fit quitting chooses negro
children school Sandnaans another Italians in another
and on) provided that does not act violate the supreme
law OF the landnamey its Constitution and treaties Japan
considers that special school legislation directed against japanese
aliens here violation of its with United States
Government and in particular Secretary Root the
same view II japan protests against State law as nmica o
Japans rights it the State but the United States which has to
deal with the question follows law and that the United
states must nave power TO restrain the State from any action that
would involve the country such dispute 1t likely that
State will push things far but if does power
VIII be used we are glad to add that Japan showing restraint
and moderation IN the face Of what be very trying Japan
suscepbite Every State has its quota "baherses and
deagoges and such nothing about the international
aspects OF question National duty friendly people 1t is
in way fortunate that Japan also has its political demagogues and
knows how make allowances For instance week in Tokyo
the Japanese Foreign Minister Count Kamura speech
posed California legislator would not lead to complications de-
aed that his Government relies the of justice Amer
lean people and spoke with feeling OF the traditional sentiment
friendship between the two nations But he was followed Inv an
opposition member of the House Count Iato who made bitter
and sensational attack apan foreign policy especially on its
attitude toward America where he said the Japanese denied
an equal opportunity and abused Count Hattor may
described as japanese Grove ohnsone latter being author
o. the sensational anti japanese bills in California The Of any
er wen put by correspondent who teegaphed week
alter the subsistence Of the shoyed Japanese agitation in
Nevada; hat looked hge international incident will probably
Neada hat looked like an in ternatona incident will probably
prove true OF the California agitation while country at large
wan rest secure IN the belief that Congress- Department of State
and te President may safely be left with what is essentially
an international question
l. Mason CommouerI do not believe there is anyone Who
% matter OF principle would not agree that equal rights to all man
kma are better than special privileges and the conscience Of men
We oe wrong would not be perpeuate But working against
evey aa'aneent OF the nation three elements of human char
acerpudlee avarce and fear Prejudice does not think does
no suoy pnucpeS does not down issues OF TODAY but
votes peconcved Irrelevant notions Of tle nast Arice fe