Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1913-04-30
WEDNESDAY. APRIL 30, 1913.
TWO KNOTTY PROBLEMS.

solution OF two great prOblGmS-the
question Of enactment Of discrimi-
native alien laws by the Individual
States and The matter Of tolls for the
Panama Canal. They are widely diff
~ferent, the one calling back the old
problems Of estates Rights" while
the other is but II question Of policy
of the general government, yet each
has its far-reaching possibilities of
raising international questions.
The recent proposed legislation by
the State OF California can hardly be
questioned as to its good points, but
the problem must arise, and has
arisen, as to where the right Of the
individual State begins and where it
ends. California unquestionably has
the right to make and enforce such
laws as she deems prudent or neces-
sary for the preservation and protec-
ton OF the States best interests, and
doubtless that Jap-ridden State sees
more clearly than do the other States
the necessity for some remedial leg
i~slation that will hold in check the
sons Of this progressive and agrees
sive Oriental nation, in whose every
individual act there can be traced
some connection with their q
ment, to which they hold allegiance
as no other nation under the sun.
Back Of every movement of the SUBJ
ject OF the government of japan, if
1T be analysed, there stands promi-
nently intrigue and cunning. There
Is no such thing as the subject of
Japan ~relinquishing fealty to that
government. And therein lies the
danger of alien ownership of lands
in California, and the Californian is
awaking to the seriousness of the
situation. But what to do to remedy
the unwholesome situation Is a Dues
ton bigger than we might imagine
at first glance. We may make State
laws that are not in conflict with the
laws OF our general government, yet
which the well-being of our nation
woulC seem to forbid-laws which,
while conforming to all the require
ments Of the national laws, might Sc
Tiously interfere with the n
government carrying out it's treaty
obligations with other nations. And
there is the hitch in the California
situation. The proposed laws of thai
State will doubtless be changed in
their wording so as to retain con-
fOrmity with the Federal laws, and
at the same time not come in conflict
with the treaty obligations of our
government with the government of
Japan. And really alien ownership
OF land, regardless of the nationality
OF the alien, is undesirable and I'M
wholesome. The question that has
arisen will eventually result in each
OF the States carrying on it's statute
books drastic laws f%orbidding any
alien ownership; and when that is
done, there being no question OF dis
elimination to arise, the problem will
solve itself.
The question of tolls for the use
of the Panama Canal will also be of
easy solution when all the smaller
details have been worked out. But
the American cOastwise shipping in
terests will, we feel sure, be forced
to a k their place along with the
shipping interests of other nations.
TO grant American ships Of COM
mere" TO pass through the canal free
OF toll would, at first glance, seem
but natural and just, and yet there is
a big question Of discrimination hing
ing there also. who built the canal?
Did the ~ship-owners of America put
up the millions that have gone into
rms great enterprise, and will they
furnish the additional millions that
must yet be spent, or did the money
come from the whole people Of the
American nation? Who would bene-
Mt by the proposition to admit Amer
lean shipping interests through the
canal free OF toll? Would it come
to those who support the shining
business by commercial activities, or
would it go to the thus protected
American ship-owner? Hardly the
former. 1t would serve only to give
a monopoly Of all coastwise shiDping
to the American Ship-owner, while
the commerce OF the country would
receive not a particle of benefit. And
just there comes in the question of
discrimination In favor Of the Ameri-