The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-06-07

selves but Inevitably making complications IN
our foreign relations. Our central administra.
ton is in the peculiar position of having respon-
sibility without authority.
That condition must be recognized by all who
know anything OF the constitution of this re-
public and other peoples must learn to deal
with us on that basis. The issue with Japan
Sits down to the direct question what that
country asks or expects US to do. II any of our
people had committed outrage against any Of
theirs we could offer apology, pay indemnity
and be done with 1t. Here. however, is what
the Japanese regard, and with justice from their
standpoint as a continuing insult. We dis
eliminate aagtnst them, not because of any wrong
they have done or any violation Of our laws, but
because they are OF a different race and have
different standards OF life and ways OF living.
We merely say we do not want them as resi-
dents and propertyholders among US. while we
welcome people of all other nations. except their
neighbors and kin, the Chinese.
The obvious japanese rotor, and retaliation
would be to say, you will not permit our peo-
pie among you. We will not allow your people
among u.s." and 80 part in peace. That would
be cheaper for both countries than war. Yet
do not wish to lose hers. From our standpoint
1t seems cruelty unjust that the large capital and
numbers Of people employed by business rela-
tons with the Orient shall be deprived and
punished because two States of the forty-eight, for
reasons of their own. shun the association and
fear the competition of a few Japanese. 1t
seems equally unjust that for that same cause,
comparatively trivial but involving great prin-
ciples for both people. all Of us should be in
volved In a bloody and expensive war. throwing
upon us a long and heavy burden OF taxation.
Yet the American people would rather see war
or endure the loss of all the Oriental trade than
permit the federal government to coerce a State
or undertake to nullify the action OF a legislature.
We should go as far as possible, to the ex-
:reme limit consistent with self-respect, In con-
sidering the feelings OF the Japanese people and
the conditions Of their government, and soothing
d naturally rufied pride. So far as those Of
that nation now here are concerned, the Ameri-
can public would sanction liberal compensation
for any actual or prospective losses and usher
ing them to the door with the most elaborate
poIiteness, In other words we should show
every ossible disposition to be reasonable, con.
%ciliatory. kindly and generous. Through all
the diplomatic fencing that may ensue we should
studiously keep Japan on the aggressive, demon.
strating clearly that our general government has
not intended any wrong or insult to her people
or empire, II that country insists on attempt
ing to force us to do what our laws and con,
~stitution forbid us from doing. II it demands
the impossible, both sides must take the conse-
quences, whatever they may be. Our care should
be that the responsibility for those consequences
is not On US. The American public realizes that
offence has been given a friendly people and
power and will approve every reasonable con.
cession; but It will approve with equal heartiness
and unanimity resistance to unreasonable bully.
ing. The case Is one for full argument and ex.
plsnation and very clear understanding. We
should be able to make such amends az should
remove offence. We should proceed on the theory
that we are dealing In a friendly way with a
difficult problem which the other side is willing
as we are to determine to mutual satisfaction. II
the other side refuses to be convinced, we canno,
help IT.