The San Francisco call., 1909-10-10


Even though the japanese marriage laws may not re-
qure the physical presence of the contracting parties
at the place where such contract is made effective
yet reasonable to suppose when the japanese
enacted its marriage laws that the physi
cal presence of both interested parties within the
jurisdiction of Japan, when the ceremony was COM
pleted, contemplated, and not that one OF such
parties should be permanent resident of California,
subject to all its laws, the other being so domciled
as to render obedience to Japanese law obligatory.
1t is pointed out that the marriage laws of all great
governments other than Japan provide for the bodily
presence of both contracting parties when marriage
is celebrated hence the contention that to allow the
consumnation of picture marriages" without en-
forcernent of marriage sanctioned by law and
custom is positively detrimental to public policy to
which people have steadfastly adhered since the
founding of the government
The Japanese male who obtains his wife through
the picture marriage" system in nearly every in
stance has been a permanent resident of the United
States for term of years; has been amenabe to all
our laws, and recipient of many benefits accruing
therefrom. He intends to continue residence in the
United States after marriage and does it therefore
seem perfectly proper and altogether reasonable to
insist that when the marriage compact is effected
the ceremony should by all means conform to the
laws of the state wherein the marriage takes place!
Research fails to develop that the subjects of any
earth other than that of Japan expect
our government to recognize binding any marriage
not consummated while both participants physi-
cally present. either in the country of adoption or in
some other country. 1t can not be gainsad when
any subject OF a foreign government, exclusive of
the Japanese, who has had residence in the United
States wishes to take in marriage woman then re-
siding abroad and to continue residence here there
after that such subject either proceeds his native
land, celebrates his marriage agreement under the
laws of his government, as alternative
H.
arrival accepts her in marriage in accordance with
the laws of own country. To insist that Japa-
principals in picture marriages" do likewise
veys absolutely intention desire on the part of
our government to show diseourtesy the friendly
government of Japan.
AS matter of tact. there other countries whose
marriage laws GO unrecognized by government,
reference being had to those governments which
stamp with approval obnoxious polygarhous mar
riages. Not only polygamous marriages con-
racted under the laws of other countries tabooed by
Uncle Sam, but the statute explicitly states that po
lygamists persons who admit their belief in the
practice of polygamy shall be denied admission to
the United States. The latter government believes
that poygamous marriages detrimental to public
policy, and regardless of what other countries may
favor such contracts they will be recognized here;
but at the time government in the enforce
ment of its laws does not intend the slightest dis
courtesy TO any friendly nation whose laws beliefs
make polygamous marriages possible.
In addition to the cited why parties to the
picture marriages" should be required conform to
our own marriage custom there remains the decided
necessity for such action as WILL under the mandates
of laws definitely determine who is to be
sponsible for the moral safe keeping of the young
Japanese girls brought into the United States by the
system herein outlined In all probability the
about to be taken will show the Japanese population
of the United States to be in the neighborhood of
10000, the males representing about rs per of
the total number
The Japanese consul general in this city has said
that he and the Japanese government desired, in
the interests of morality to have as many Of the
Japanese in this country married as possible. Will it
conserve public policy to have any portion Of
the Japanese males in the United States import
their wives under the picture marriage plan, ignor-
ing all reference to the marriage laws of this country
Our people in general have little or no knowledge of
the cunning displayed in the matter of supplying
victims for the many houses of infamy to be found
in thcky settled districts in every city of any size
on the Pacific slope One authority the subject
of oriental immigration INDUCES in the following:
THE oriental in this country has no family life.
In 1885 the municipality Of San Francisco made an
investigation in Chinatown of that city. The report
says, There were found living in families, women,
81; children So herded together with apparent in
discriminate parental relations and family class-
hcation, women 7o1; children, 576 professional
women and children living together, women. s6z
children, 81
"At that time $4,000 Chinese lived in this district
called Chinatown, and there were in all that number
less than three wives with less than three
children.
Here chastity is unknown, and mainly
slaves sold to infamy and trained to vice.
These conditions still continue, and the Japanese