Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-05-23
Japanese May Demand Citizenship.

the California Japanese situation, il
put forth by Boston Transcript writ
ei' in Washington. This reported in
| tention of the Japanese to demand cit
| izenship would shift the scene from
| California TO Washington, for only
| Congress could deal with the matter.
| 1t would prove exceedingly embarrass=
| ing 10 President Wilson and Secretary
Bryan and also give new lease of life
TO those who are subsisting or Il told
you So prospects, The referred to
correspondent writes:
President Wilson and
Secretary Bryan still preserve a calm
exterior and do not admit that the
problem involves anything beyond the
capacity of diplomacy. Their view II
doubtless founded in part upon the
moderation and courtesy with which
the japanese Government has thus fal
presented its case. But the despa tches
from Japan indicate q growing popu-
lar demand that the japanese Govern
ment go to the root of all the recent
disagreements between the two gov
ernments and put ii up to the United
States Government to admit japanese
to citizenship. Confirmation of this
sentiment among the Japanese was
found in the words of the japanese
Representatives of the leading political
PARTIES who arrived at San Francisco
to Investigate their countrymen. These
gentlemen in their first interview an
nounced that in their opinion the
granting of citizenship to Japanese
was not mentioned in the japanese
protest and neither is it discussed IN
the reply to this protest. which Am
bassader Chinda received from Secre-
tary Bryan.
This demand for citizenship the
japanese Government, which has pass
ed through Il crisis within few
months, may be unable to resist. In
that event the American Government
will be confronted with question Of
race equality, which will involve Jap
anese pride and inevitably force this
Government into a position where, il
citizenship is granted, it will appear
to be done under the pressure OF d.
plomacy if not under an implied threat
of war. The sentiment in Congress
certainly is against admitting the Jap
anese to citizenship, and it is doubtful
whether popular sentiment would sup
port the granting of citizenship as the
result of threat The Japanese never
have been fully satisfied with the dip
lomatic makeshifts which have held
tie Asiatic question in allegiance. 1t
rankles within them THAT Negroes can
vote while Japanese may never nope
there
are American hotels, apartment houses
and boarding houses, managed by per-
sons of narrow mind, which refuse nos
ptality to the japanese because OF
their color
The Journals dispatches have noted
President Wilson's anxiety concerning
discussion in Congress at this delicate
stage Of the question. He especially
fears any observations on racial. dls-
elimination, and personally urged Rep
resentative Sisson of Mississippi not TO
offend the sensibilities of Japan in his
address to be given on' Friday. MT
Sisson confines himself to the deelara-
ton that he will speak on the legal
aspects of the controversy, but mem-
| bers of the House expect another VT
riolic outburst against the japanese,
accompanied by a demand for war, II
Japan is itching for it.
The correspondent quoted above fur
Their says:
| slightly to soften a most delicate situa-
| tipn There two elements OF nODe-tHt
| widest agitation in Japan seems to pro
coed from the lowest classes. lhese
classes have limited suffrage, the vote III
Japan being restricted by both edaea,
tional and property tests. Only about
one Japanese in % can vote. rms VII
stiffen the back of the Japanese Govern
| meDt unless the agitation continues to
| take hold upon the usually more cohseF-
| vative upper classes. The other source
| of hone is the probable realization among
the Japanese that in this quarrel they
may not hope for help from Great Brit
| ain. The two nations have defensive
alliance and japan could be sure OF Urea
/ Rritain's help in war, providing japan
| were purely on the defensive and thu
| British Government We're not restfalne'
by public sentiment III the biltisn I'm
pire But as to this question, Bfitlsi
Sentiment will be largely with the thltet
states. Canada and Australia face SIT
uations precisely like those whieh con
| front this country on the PACING coast
and the tone of English publications. !
distinctly sympathetic with the can
at is indicated at the White Hous
that the American note just sent. AM
the tenor of future exchanges will be Z
assure Japan that the majority OF AMER
ton for the achievements and ch8racte
of her people. Public expressions tina
might give an opposite impression are re
. | garded at the White House, particular
! at this time, as seriously embarrassin
the negotiations between the state DE
partment and the Japanese ambassador.
/ The Rev. David J. Higgins, ninet
5 years of age, has made application 70
admission to Hamline university