The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-24
CAL|FORN|A'S RACE
PROBLEM IS SERIOUS
SUBJECT TO HANDLE
Legislature Determined to
Stop Acquiring of Land
By the Japanese
is CAUSING FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT WORRY
Washington Is Specially Anxious That
Nothing Be Done That Would
Violate Treaty With
Japan
~ c. u. STEWART


Washington, April %. .--fSpecialD-Ac-
cording to Californians In Washington the
Pacific coast state of snow and flowers
has race problem exclusively its own,
far more acute than the race problem of
the south. They face situation, or at
least they believe SO. OF serious import in
which is involved the supremacy of ma
tive Americans, not only in the political
destiny of the state, but also In the vest
ed rights. 1t is a situation which hourly
becomes more intolerable and upon which
they have at last resolved to take decided
and drastic action, even at the risk of
involving the national government in in
ternational complications.
There are 1900 japanese in California.
Still this seems insignificant in compari-
son to a population of nearly 2,5OO 900
people. In addition to this, according to
the statement of Californians in Washing
ton, the japanese are not increasing in
numbers, and have not been for the last
four or five years; on the contrary there
Is a slight decrease in the japanese pop
ulation which would be even more marked
but for births In other words, in the
last few years many Japs are returning
to their native land and In numbers ex-
ceeding the birth rate. But the danger
which threatens California is the rapidity
with which the Japanese are buying up
the land The thrifty little Orientals now
own over 100000 acres of land in California
and their possessions are growing daily.
Negroes Were Different
Despite the fact that Californians were
among the most ardent supporters of the
of N 10 ctq
both political and vested, and in vocifer-
Gus terms demanded that there should be
equality before the law" they have now
thrust upon them situation by a race
which can lay claim TO superiority at
least in achievements as a nation and as
individuals. to the negro race, and they
have gone the south one better in dis
elimination. They not only deprive the
Japanese of the right to VOTE but they
now seek to deprive them of the right to
own land. In legislating to bring about
such results they are also relying upon
state rights" In defense of their ac
ton, though the form of their legislation
may bring into question certain treaty
agreements between the United States
and Japan.
Representatives in Congress from Cali
fornia declare that Americans and jap
anese are not assimilable. The Americans
look upon the Japs as an inferior race,
and there are no closer social relations
between the Americans in California and
the Japanese than there are between the
white people of the south and the negroes
which is Just exactly none at all. This
condition engenders a cordial race hatred
more intense perhaps because of the fact
that the Japanese have race and ma
tional pride, and believe themselves the
equal of their American neighbors, con-
sequently they deeply resent their claims
to superiority. There are very few cases
of mixed marriages in California, and
where they have occurred the white man
or woman who marries a Jap is ostra-
cized by her or his former friends.
Legislature Determined to Act
1t is quite certain that the California
legislature is determined to act upon the
question now. The government at WASH
ington is not disposed to interfere in such
action, but it does seek to temper it down
to a point of reason SO that 1t will give
no excuse to the japanese government to
raise the issue that the treaty has been
violated by one of the states of the
union. The President himself is anxious
that California passes no law that VIII
discriminate as between aliens.
The truth of the mater is, that the
California legislature is entirely helpless
in the situation. Their failure to act
would accomplish little. In the present
case the legislature is simply responding
to nuhlic demands, as all legislatures must
do when a state issue becomes SO acute as
iris has In California. If the legislature |
believing that any action that they might |
take which would be effective would De IN |
violation of the treaty between the |
United states and Japan, and that such !,
violation through them might create |
strained diplomatic relations between tne
two governments which might later lead |
10 war should decline to shoulder such |
Sesnonsibilty. the people of Callfornia |
are in the frame of mind to resort to the |
initiative and themselves initiate the law |
and force it upon the legislature by an |
overwhelming vote This, 1t Is pointed |
out nv leaders from that state, is just ex-
actly what would happen.
Might Be Much Worse
such law might be far more drastic
and in more open violation OF treaty
a agreements than any law proposed IN the
legislature. The safest plan, then, all
agree. is for the legislature to pass some
law that will, if possible. satisfy the de-
mands of the people and at the same time
give japan no grounds for complaint SO
far as the treaty is concerned,
In the meantime the greater danger IN
the whole situation is that the jingoes IN
Japan who demand war may develop into
a ma aiorNy and get control of the govern
ment In which event the situation would
hecome one of the gravest character
All the good offices of the government
will he used to steer California in her
course. and conservative men believe that
there is no need for alarm, or reason to
anprehend any difficulties which can
NOT be adjusted through diplomatic inter-
course.