The Newport plain talk. (Newport, Tenn.) 1909-1939, 1913-05-22
The japanese Question


land and are debarred from many priv.
iIeges allowed the japanese in this
country. Japanese restrictions of the
rights of aliens are closer than those
of the United States, or any European
country, expect Russia But the differ.
ence is that there Is no discrimination
in japan, and aliens of all LANDS are
subject to the same restrictions,
The Jaoanese profess 10 make it
point of national horot. an 1lont to
be resented; that the G.; lifo rnia alien
land law Is aimed directly at japanese
in that it debars only the Sc aliens rot
eligible to citizenship from owning
land, but there. too, is an monastery.
because ii is the Uniten states Govern
meat and not California, that debe rs
the japanese from the right of natural
izatiCn, while all Europeans have That
| privilege.
Besides this, it's a fact that the
Britt n colonies, Australia and South
Africa, bar all Asiatic immigratian,
japanese included, while Europeans
are gladly admitted and encouraged to
come--and Japan make no protest.
But the fact that e:Japanese do not
permit Americans TO acquire land in
their counlr, should alo, be sufficient
to warrant the action taken in Califor-
mia. In most international treaties
there is what iscalled the "most favcr-
ed nation clause, 'and on such a clausee
Japan probably claims for her people
in the United States all the privileges
granted those from other countr es; but
there are still certain reclprocilies be-
tween some nations specifically agreed
upon that only ''the high contracting
parties" share bet xeen themselves.
For example,, had the Canadians &C
cepted Mr.. Taft's offer OF reciprocity
they would have been accorded trade
privileges in the United States given
no other country for which they would
have granted favors in return, Now II
the Californians should bar those aliens
from acquiring land who come from
countries that deny the priv i,ege to
Americans, assuredly the japanese
would have no grouud on which to
base complaint.
The Eastern press, after the manner
Of assumed superiority and com piacenl
arrogance it has always maintained,
lectures the Californians about their
alleged narrowness and prejudice.
That is entirely unavailing, and really
the narrowest possible view. All his.
tory has demonstrated the force of
race antagonism, and the evil Of a race
problem. 1t is purblind Ignorance
that refuses TO recognize such forces
Besides tlls, there is an economic phase
OF theques,ion that must be recognized
This is stated pointedly by the great
London paper. the Pail Mall Gazette
when 1t says:
Ii the, Cainese and japanese are to
have free entry to the Pacific coast il
means eventually the extirpaiion Of
white labor from that region. All the
arbitration in The world will not per
suade the people of the Western States
that it is their duty TO give up theii
bread and butter 10 an alien race, and
we can imagine how much likelihood
there is OF the government at Wash
ingtOn taking measutes to enforce such
an award upon its own subjects. We
would rather like to see the experiment
for its usefulness in bringing dreamers
back to hard facts.
The California situation involves
"hard fact and is not q mere matter
of prejudice and provincial unreason
Asiaslic congestion can't be Permits
there any more than it can in Austria
liza, and whatever it costs, the japanese
must sooner or later be brought to 9
full realization of the fact.
Still, President Wilson and Mr.. Bry
an are entirely right in advising all
tolerance possible of the japanese In
California and in urging patience and
caution in what is done. For many
reason, some very strong reasons of s
commercial nature, it behooves us to
maintained the friendship of Japan
and war with tina. country would be
under any conditions, bloody and ex.
pensive with no possible profit to the
United States, however il might ter.
inmate. The utmost effort should be
made to avoid any hostile encounter
! Yet, at the same time, the impossi
bility of permitting any Monaghan
Judgement on the Pacific coast must
be recognized. The Wi>hes OF the Pa
ciiic coast people must be regarded in