The Washington herald., 1914-12-20
JAPAN IN CALIFORNIA.
News of Contemplated Hostile
Liquidation Reaches Tokyo.

Press dispatches reaching Japanese
newspapers from the other side of the
Pacific ring the changes. day by day. on
the outlook for more anti-Japanese legis-
IatlOn when the California lawmakers
meet next year. What may be regarded q
rs reports well authenticated have reach
ed Japan telling Of the intentions Of some
OF the members OF tho California legisla-
Iure. These reports are so numerous.
come from so many and varied sources.
and are so positive that II is not easy
10 brush them aside with the substance
OF single negative statement purpOrC-
ing to emanate from certain unnamed
leading japanese" in San Francisco.
Indeed. this minority report has Ly no
means obliterated the writing on the wall.
The responsible japanese newspapers are
very earnestly engaged in a discussion
OF the situation in California" taking
as their text a. being the absolute truth
the positive reports Of more aDti-Jap-
anese legislation" They hope theAh eEa-
tive report-an anonymous dcmenti-is
true. but they frankly disbeIieve il. The
utterances Of these responsible japanese
newspapers on the whole have been pro-
per and dignifed. They have been and
are self-respectIng. But the question is
on the tapis. We may look for more Of
it, and IL from some more authentic
source positive assurance is not re-
CSiyed within the next sixty days. the
party NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. and ire
sponsible-will be using this discussion
as a club. Then We may look for some
very plain talk, indeed. Americans RI ST.
dent in Japan. unable to speak for their
friends in California or to give any as
suranCe that the right of lease-hold will
not be taken from the japanese by
California in discrimination from all
other foreigners. will find the discussion.
to say the least OF it, embarra ssing. The
government OF Japan which. with won
derful consistency. has ignored former
rebUffs and shown very real friendship
for America and Americans. cannot but
bc embarrassed. Would it not be well
and wise. therefore. to cut short the dis
cussiOn now with the utterance from an
authoritative source in California. which
can give safe assurance that there
will he no anti-Japanese legislation at
the coming session and to this extent
at least. show courtesy to the guest.
who. with great loyalty and. i'm fine.
good faith. is doing her part to ensure
the success OF the Panama Exposition
in which the people OF California have so
much at stake?
II would seem to US small thing.
indeed. for the great State OF California
to give a guarantee and an assurance
of immunity from these nauseating sus-
picion. doubt and even that spoil the
prospect
Japans commissioner to the Panama
Exposition leaves this week for San
Francisco to commence his final prepara-
tions for this participation by Japan upon
a generous scale and in a splendid spirit
OF cooperation with courteous and
friendly enighbOr. We would all be
very glad. indeed. we OF Japan and Of
Amertcs. indeed. Of all nationaIities who
love good spOrtsmanship, to learn that
he has been received on the shores of
America in the spirit that has made
America what she is.-Japan Times.