Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-10-12
The Nippu Jiji's Complaint

(From Thursdays Nppu Jill Editorial)
We in no way have a least intention Of making
complaint protest against enforcement OF the Amer
lean law, whether it is immigration law or any
other law. This must be clear to the mind of the
Star-Buetin if it only knows what we were and are
saying to the maintenance of the laws and orders
of this wonderful nation in which are happy enough
to live. We urging the Japanese at every time
and all the time, to obey the American laws and or
ders. Furthermore, we are always emphatic IN urs-
ing fellow countrymen to respect not only the
laws and orders, but the American customs manners
and their feelings just as much as possible.
1t is clearly shown in the criminal statistics OF the
territory that the Japanese hold only small part in
the crimes committed in comparison to the large pro-
portion they hold in Hawaii's population. We are
that the Americans might agree with US in our
assertion that the Japanese in Hawaii most
obedient lawabiding people. Then, why should we
oppose to the enforcement of the immigration law
alone?
We must say that the Star Bulletin is to be blamed
and not us-for IAN exhibition of ignorance and
utter lack of courtesy and Judgment in this partcu
lar matter which has arisen from the unrendy treat
ment in the hands of the United States immigration
officials here Of the Japanese who seeking egti
matey to enter at the gate of the Great America
We have motive a least, in mind to
make an unwarranted accusation of the immigration
authorities for their enforcement of the law of the
nation. What want them is that they must not
abuse the very sense and letter of the law in its
appliance to the Japanese. The in which the
Japanese treated at the local immigration office
very much indicates that the abuse, not enforcement
is evidently in practise. Ishiis visit to the United
States makes no hindrance in voicng what firmly
belief is right and just.
Let US all not be Indifferent to overlook these
unpleasant incidents which often these days
at the very gate of the Great America. Every think
ing person who desires that the friendship between
the United States and Japan be promoted-whether
he be a Japanese Amercan-must not overlook
slightest bunder, if any such blunder has tend
ency of injuring both the United States and Japan
The foregoing from the Nippu Jill is an interest
ing presentation of the attitude of some of our apa
nese friends when they are called to account.
1t is very evident that the japanese papers of thi
city would have to go very little further in thei
method of discussing American affairs to be in tn
same class with the impossible Senator La Toilette
1t is one thing to seek justice by the recognized
routes that open to all citizens and residents
a country in which an alien is living happily an,
becoming prosperous, and quite another to contn
ually find fault not only with the methods of tn
nation but to indulge in nagging criticism of pub
lie officials, while charging them with injustice ant
prejudice toward particular people in thei
methods of administration.
The latter is exactly what the japanese press ha
been doing. The immigration laws of this countr,
are enforced without prejudice to race or national
ity. 1t is recognized that improvements can b
made in our laws, but every citizen and alien of an
intelligence knows that notifications of the Law
must be brought about by very slow process, an,
certainly the present period, when our country i
engaged in the business of war, is not the timel,
occasion for pressing this subject. Citizens refrain
from captious criticism; can the alien do les t
show his goodwill?
When the citizens Of this country have reason t.
question the rights of individuals under the immi
grafton laws they go to the courts and in due pro
cess of law; their rights and privileges are deter
mined This is exactly what is expected of thu
aliens within the country and of those who arc en-
deayoring to gain admission. The loyal either
awaits the process of the law and accepts the deci
sion of the court. The we'll meaning courteous anC
friendly alien does the same.
When the japanese newspapers of this city he
come united in friendly spirit toward the country
in which they and their alien fellow citizens fine
prosperous homes there will be an end of this fault
finding, discourteous and unfrendly attitude whicl
they, as the assumed mouthpieces of Japanese PEG
pie, now adopt toward the conduct of our nations
affairs.
Far from being courteous and willing to accept
the laws and the law enforcement to which citizens
subject, these resident aliens presuppose preju
dice and thus preach doctrines that foster iIlwill
Since there is good reason so far as our nation
and its officials concerned for the complaining
irritable and agltated state of our newspaper
friends minds the natural question is to know the
significance of the position they have taken.
Danger of Russia making peace her own &C
count may now be considered past So that soon the
full weight of the giant republic may be expected
to be exerted on the side of world freedom
An unusually heavy salmon pack in the North
this season is reported, which ought to hav some
little bear effect on the price of that important