The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1913-05-16
THE ISSUE AT CLOSE RANGE.

:
With the California legislature evil
IDENTIFY determined to follow its own
inclination in the matter of restric-
lions placed upon the rights of aliens
to acquire and hold lands in that state,
despite the mild protest inspired by
President Wilson and voiced by Sec
rotary of State Bryan in person. it
may be as we'll to view the issue raised
by the protests Of the Japanese in as
clear light as is provided. The ques-
ton has two sides. There is no ex-
cuse for denying this or of binding
ourselves to what may be the ulti-
mate result of what the people of the
Orient, particularly those of Japan,
regard as unjust discrimination.
We all remember that few weeks
ago the venerable Count Okuma told
Mr.. John R. Mott and other leading
Americans that all other means had
failed and "only influence of Chris
tianity remained" to prevent war be-
tween Japan and the United States,
When he said that he conveyed to the
people of the United States an idea of
the gravity of a situation which he
has reason to believe is wholly under
estimated and wholly misunderstood
by the people on this side of the Pa
clfic. And yet there is, perhaps, no
excuse for misunderstanding. What
is now transpiring in Toxic is but
surface indication of condition long
existing in Japan.
There Is no denying the fact that
deep resentment is felt by the people
or Japan because of the attitude of
this country in discriminating between
Japanese and white aliens. The fact
that our attitude has been pounded
in upon the Japanese by a series of
events, of which this California land
question is but one. There is the anti
Or1entalism Of our immigration pol
ICY, often needlessly aggravated by
unnecessary bungling in the admins
tration of the immigration laws. There
was the Oriental school question in
California, early in 1907, where the
same sort of discrimination. against
Japanese was involved as is embod-
led in the legislation at Sacramento.
There was the agitation over the Mag
dalena Bay incident to add it's share
CT friction and misunderstanding
There have been other, though not SO
acute, manifestations of the same dis
elimination in other Pacific slope
states.
All OF this is severe blow to the
pride of proud people. The fact that
these successive stabs at Japanese ma
tional pride come from the American
people, always loudest in their pro-
LESSONS of friendship for Japan, has
added to the unpleasant feeling of be-
ing stabbed in the house of friend.
AS a result of all this discrimina-
ton, which is not theoretical but real, |
there has grown up in Japan the feel
ing that in order for Japanese rights |
TO be fully respected throughout the |
world, a war with America is newt
able.
This idea has time and again been
advanced in the Japanese press. Long |
before this outburst at TokioSover the
California land question, the "inevit-
ability" of war between Japan and the
United States had been preached by
politicians through the press, to the
Japanese people. 1t is dangerous
dea to have abroad in a land.
Surely, Japan is too wise to be in
luenced by publications in their
yellow press, or by the mouthings OF