The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-02-23
lYENAGAWARNS
OF JAPAN'S IRE
Hints Land Laws. Wound
ing Oriental Pride. May
Cause Break With L. 5.
KNOWS VIEWS OF PEOPLE
World Court League Goes on
Record as Opposed to "Pcace
at Any Price"

Continuance of friendly relations be-
tween the United States and Japan can
be hoped for only II this country stops
pin pr!cking" the Oriental empire with
land laws and other forms of local
legislation calculated to wound Oriental
pride and dignity. DIR. T. 1yenaga. di-
rector of the East and West News Bu-
reau, thus warned America last night
at IA banquet of the World Court League
held at the Bi,tmore.
1nasmuch as DIR 1yenaga is recog-
nized az n Japanese of high standing
who might be presumed to know the
views of his nation. his utterances Gre
ated profound impression. The speaker
reviewed the friendly history Of Japan
and this country since Commodore Perry
first opened the gates to civilization.
In soft, suave tones DR.. 1yenaga ex-
pressed tho gratitude of his people for
all of this. and then continued:
"Will this beautiful friendship be last
ing?
what would like to invite your at
tention to for n moment Is the treatment
and protection OF aliens in your country
especially the Japanese now domiciled
here. This subject, however. should not
be confounded with the immigration
question. So far as Japan is concerned
her policy with regard to the immgra-
ton of her subjects to this country was
definitely settled in 1907, when she en-
tered into the so-called gentlemen s
agreement with the American Govern
ment
To Keep Agreement.
80 long therefore as the cause Of
international friction arising out of the
presence OF a large number OF Japanese
laborers remains active. we may rest
assured the gentlemen's agreement will
be rigidly kept.
What am referring TO is the treat
ment and protection sof a small number
OF my compatriots now residing in your
country. We all have come in obedience
to and under the protection Of the treaty
that exists between the two countries
strangely enough however. We are not
all treated or protected alike. Those who
live east Of the Rockies are most hos
pitably and royalty treated by Ameri-
cans. Such. however. Is not the case
with those who happen to reside on the
Pacific coast They not only receive
sometimes harsh treatment, but there
have been instances when they were
deprived of some rights and privileges
which are accorded to other aliens and
to the japanese who reside in more
happy quarters,
Gould such an unfair dlspensation
OF Justice and unequal treatment of
aliens be possible in the realm where
the Star Spangled Banner waves with
equal dignity and power over all parts q?
This Is totally incomprehensible to those
japanese who are not conversant with
the peculiar nature Of the American Con-
sttution. Whatever may be the diff
culties surrounding the amendment of
that venerable document, is 1t not high
time for the American people to devise
some means to unity the method O.
fulfilling their treaty obligations and of
dispensing equal justice to all alens?"
The dropping his suave tone for an
! instant and letting his words fall slowly
and distinctly. finger upraised, DIR. I've
naga went on:
ut would be preposterous for a for
eigD1f to suggest any measure for the
! solution OF the trouble. We can depend
with utmost confidence upon the re-
| sourcefulness OF American statesman
ship and the inborn sense of justice OF
| the American people. That something
must be done to mend the anomalous
situation will. however, admit of no
doubt.
! Warning IL sounded.
| at IL reported that one OF the States
| or the Union Is contemplating the same
! kind of land law which once strained
! the Japanese-American relations. II
! this kind OF pin pricking is often re-
| rcated / fear the time may come when
japanese rulers cannot restrain the pco.
pie. And Japan. YOU know, Is becoming
| more and more democratic and the
power OF the people is daily increasing.
THE japanese residing in this coun.
| try number about 10000, Of which a
good percentage is made up Of transient
travellers and business men. This forms
but an Insignificant part OF the popula.
ton of ll0,00o.000 To find way OF
ton ought not 10 be hard job fol
Uncle Sam. who has assimilated $4,000,
900 souls of foreign descent"
Bernard II. Ridder was one of the
other speakers He said Germans in thi.
country have shown their loyalty In the
last few weeks. although that loyalt,
has been bought with sacrifice 50
great that even the gods might throw
| incense Other speakers were Dr. James
Brown Scott, president OF the Neutralit,
Board President Theodore L. Burton oI
! the Merchants National Bank, Prof 4
! G. Spencer Of the Meadville Theologica
School. William B. Millar OF the Law.
| mems Missionary Movement and Con.
| gresham James l.. Slayden.
| The league went on record as oppo sod
| to "pcace nj any price" 4 Telegram
was sent by John Hays Hammond, pres.
ident of the league, pledging support tc
| President Wilson.