The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1916-10-12
THE ONLOOKER
Word Sketches of Topical Events
By ''Ham

| of periodicals in a us-perfOrm-
ance program of publicity, featuring
| the triumphs of our diplomats over
those of other countries Among
those "triumphs" will be remember
ed the apparent back down" of Japan
in the matter of japanese rights to
settle and own land in this country.
The Californians practically defied the
federal law in refusing to admit
Japanese on the same basis as imlni-
grants of other countries. After a
great deal of acrimonious feeling be-
tween state and federal officials, Cali
| fornia had her way in the matter, and
the japanese apparently let the ques-
ton drop, to the relief of our govern
ment. But the oriental mind is not
prone to forget what it considers a
deliberate affront to it's nationalspirit.
Having in less than forty years time
thrown off the yoke of a rigidly
governed oligarchy, sunk in the depths
of aged customs and superstitions. and
developed into a literally governed
monarchy, with individual freedom of
action and speech in things temporal
and spiritual. she Is now demanding a
place in the SUM-" Her demand, it
is true, is cOuched in the prOverbi-
ally silky tones of the oriental, but
she makes it plain that the quality of
the tone may be easily changed.
Until quite recently we were of
the opinion that the question of Japan
csc rights in our country had been
definitely settled. Now comes Baron
Sakatani, formerly Finance Minister
of Japan, who declares in a recent
interview that the question of Japan
csc settling and owning land in the
United States is not considered closed
by the Japanese. The matter will be
reopened after the European war is
closed" In conclusion, the Baron
states his belief that the people of his
country are Disseminated against.
i1e intimates that no other responsible
government would tolerate such con-
dition of affairs. Out of deep respect
and liking for America the question
has not, up to now, been pressed.
The inference gained from this inter-
view is that Japan intends to insist up
on equal treatment of her people with
those OF other nations in this country.
Any one who has lived with Cali
fornians will appreciate and sympa-
thize with their antipathy for the
japanese emigrants. They not only
smother competition in labor. but in
some parts of the state absolutely con-
troll it. Working for next to nothing,
until they get q good start, their frug-
al methods of living and their close
co-opeTatlon one with another, en-.
ables them to develop into an impor-
tant factor IN the commercial life of
their locality. Grant them the privl-
eyes of naturaized aliens, and this
collective power would enter political
fields With their we'll known intense
patriotism for their mother country,
their political influence would natur-
ally tend to be exerted in behalf of the
leaders of their own race.
1t is to prevent the establishment
Of japanese political party in Cali
fornia that that state fights so bitterly
against the granting of property hold
ing rights to them, and in fact, would
bar them from entering the state en-
tirely, if possible.
When the Jaranese get ready to
reopen the question with us, there will
be some delicate points to decide.
During the last decade Japan has been
recognized as a world power by every
civilized country--therefore her sub
| jects are accorded equal rights in for
eign countries with other aliens, sub
ject to certain restrictions placed on
all aliens Since the big war began,
Japan's position has become even more
important. She is now the recognized
political dictator of the far eastern
| sphere. For a long time the nations