The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1919-10-16
JAPANESE URGED
TO BUY LAND

Ii. b. LaDgllle, who Is now associate
professor Of machine designs and me-
ehanical drawing al the University Of
California. writes that he is in full ac-
cord with the stand the majority Of
the people are taking in the Hood Riv-
er valley on japanese exclusion. Mr.
Langille says the people of California
are very much alarmed over the situa-
tion there. Mr.. Langille enclosed in
his letter the following startling clip
ping from the Oakland Examiner:
Novel appeals to japanese to take
time by the forelock and provide
against possible restrictive legislation
against them in this country were
made yesterday by the Japanese Amer
lean of San Francisco.
To buy all the land they can now and
to enter into marriages with picture
brides in Japan before laws against
alien ownership of land and nuptial
contracts based on photographs are
passed. are among the recommenda-
tions made to the Japanese by the
newspaper.
These recommendations are contained
in an editorial entitled, Build Firm
FoundatiOns-An Appeal to Our Coun-
trymen in America.
3, The editorial translated reads
Our countrvmen, who have lawfully
entered this country and who are en-
gagged in peaceful pursuits are entitled
in all circumstances TO the protection
of their just rights and interests. We
earnestly hope that all of us Japanese
will stand on this principle without
any anxiety or fear.
/ We frequently hear disagreeable re-
port of anti-Japanese utterances and
m0vements on the part of low-class
politicians and busy bodies. and of va
riOus concrete policies proposed by
them. But most of them are only Wis
ionary and fantastic suggestions, prac-
tically hopeless of realization.
For example, the proposition to
amend the American Constitution so as
to rob our descendants of their rights
as citizens violates the fundamental
spirit on which the nation was built
and destroys the great fundamental
principle of the laws of nationality.
Consequently they must know that
such an amendment could not easily
secure the approval of two-thirds of
both houses of congress and the ratifi-
ction of two-thirds of the states.
Likewise. with reference to the land
question. which lies within the author
ity of the state, the proposal to amend
the present law so as to rob the chill
dren whose parents are japanese of
their rights of ownership in land, and
to forbid (Japanese) ownership of
shares in land companies. violates the
rights of American citizens as guaran.
teed by the constitution.
The taking away of the right to
lease land also. by reason of the fact
that it would be serious blow to
American landowners as well as to
the Japanese. has very little chance of
being passed.
But even supposing that such law
less bills should be adopted, nasmuch
as no law can be retroactive. they will
not in the least injure the already ac-
quired rights of our nationals.
For instance, if such an amendment
becomes law. the sales which have
been held until the day when the law
is to be enforced, cannot be cancelled,
lands owned by children cannot be CON
fscated, and stock in land companies
can be securely retained.
If any anxiety for the future is felt
and it is desired to take precautions
for perfect security, such persons
ought to buy land at the present time.
Everyone knows that farming cannot
be carried on without land. To go
about from place to place working
! -
never be permanently profitable.
And it will never enable US to lay
foundations for permanent develop
ment. Therefore, we must in some
way Immediately buy land and estab-
lsh foundations which will not be
shaken by poverty.
And especially if we fear the out
come of the present anti-Japanese
movement the necessity (of buying
landl is all the greater.
And again, although the anti-Japan-
ese agltators are urging extreme
measures such as the absolute exclu-
sion of Japanese and the prohibition of
photograph marriages, the only Jap.
anese who are now entering the coun-
try are those upon whose entrance the
government places no restrictions, OF
returning to America the second time,
or the wives and children of japanese
residents whom it would be inhuman
to refuse.
AS for photograph marriage, al
though it is not yet understood. it is
merely question arising out of differ
ent marriage customs in the two coun
tries.
These women who come as true and
lawful wives belong to class (of i'm
migrants) who cannot be debarred
Nevertheless. if any are afraid this
class will be debarred, they should
marry Immediately and send for their
wives and establish families.