Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-12-21

Inc so-cdlled gentlemen agree
ment existing between this country
and Japan should be supplemented by
a ladies' agreement" limiting the
number of picture brides" going to
America to seek Japanese laborer hus-
bands. according to Charles H. Sher-
rlll, former ambassador to Argentina,
addressing members of the American
Japan Society at a banquet given in
Japan November 10. Mr.. Sheriff. is
making an extended tour of the far
east.
My Investigations convince me
that beyond doubt the Japanese gov
eminent has loyalty lived up to both
tlemens agreement said Mr. Sher-
rill but that agreement ought to be
supplemented by a ladies agreement
because the loyal adherence of your
government TO the centlemen's agree
ment is being offset by the numerous
picture brides going from Japan to
Japanese laborers in America. Their
coming lmperils our relations more
than you realize and for reasons diff
hcult for you to understand.
System Jars Americana.
All you see in this picture bride
system is proper desire of your
men abroad to get wives from home.
You are accustomed to marriages be-
ing arranged by parents or friends,
ana therefore cannot grasp how the
picture bride system surprises and
Jars upon our people.
1T isn't a question of right or
wrong but an affront to a long pre-
Vaiiing custom of our country, where
we are greatly attached to free matri-
monial choice by both contracting
parties themselves, as you are to your
reverence for ancestors. Neither of
US us realiy understands how strongly
me other feels in these regards.
Furthermore, perhaps you do not
realize that since these 'picture
brides are imported by japanese la
porers they assist their husbands, thus
becoming laborers themselves, and
mus onsetting the loyalty of your
ment' Besides. they bear many more
children than do the wives Of their
american neighbors, thus constantly
reminding them of the Increasing
proportion of Japanese to Americans
IN Hawaii. which brings us right back
~ the economic competition again.
Restoration to Wise Basis.
number of laborers' wives going to
America would restore the situation
20 the wise basis reached by the gem
1Iemen's agreement The lack of a
iaoies agreement permits economic
friction to increase, with a certain re-
suit that none of US cares to contem
plate. ~
Speaks as Individual,
Japanese friends tell me that
Americans who speak here so misun-
derstand your psychology as to make
OF their speeches mere oratorical
sWeetmeats, dishes of tasteless com
paIments- My high opinion of Japanese
among you. emboldens me, who oc-
cupy no official position and speak
only Tor myself, an individual admirer
OF Japan, to comment frankly on the
unfortunate misunderstanding now
papers or ours
IN 1905 the sympathy of all America
was with Japan, anG our pockets were
open TO your loans. In this connection
may remark that ours is the first
natlon IN history to be at the same
tune the greatest reservoir both of
capital and of raw materials? II is a
great pity that today the America
sentiments of 1905 are altered. and he
VINO pretends otherwise is no true
champion OF a better and lasting
friendship between US.
Il have recently come from a three
month study of these misunderstood
ingS IN California, and shall venture
ton.
THE 'gentlemen's agreement was =.
wise diplomatic device which recoe-
nized that Japanese immigration to
the United States sets up a competi-
ton between our labor and the Jap
anese laborer who accepts less money
and longer hours than our men. It
also recognized that this economic nm
dercutting Of the American laborer
was arousing friction, and you wisely
undertook to check it.
In your millions of frugal. indus
trious laborers lies your greatest pow
er to conquer the markets of the
world. But every rose has a thorn
and your ability to live cheaper and
work longer than occidentals is the
thorn felt by American labor when
your rose is transplanted in Cali
fornia.
Economic Problem
believe me, gentlemen. the problem
surrounding Japanese immigration