Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-11-22
The japanese Question

WINGED that CONNECT Win Japan -
bound to come, who will say the
sooner the better. many more. we be-
lieve, will. recognize the possibilities
in time patience and good sense for
solutions that even wars may not ac-
complish. Japan has her problems,
as well as other people, her jingoes
willing to incite trouble for the sake
of political advantage, as we, too.
have.
OF these Elk Premier ,Okuma is
prominent In recent speech he vi
olently attacked our proposed legis-
lation to restrict Japanese immigra-
ton. He asserted that it is an in
suit, an attack - Japanese honor.
He threatens war as consequence.
Okuma's desire to get back into Of
dce must be urgent. Certainly he is
doing his country no good.
The Japanese are a sensitive peo-
pie. They have demonstrated to
their own satisfaction that they are
as good as anybody. No people should
affect to look down on the achieve
ments of the Japanese. or heedlessly
offend their proper pride Tosdo so
rs to aid and abet the Okumas-and
the munition makers-but not the
japanese or the American people. 1t
need not be an offense against go6d
sense to urge that the Japanese and
Americans are not assimilabie. The
former have not permitted and do not
want Americans participating ex-
tensively in their national affairs.
and assuredly we do not want them
in ours. We are not yet competitors
on equal terms. although conditions
are said to be rapidly changing in the
F1owery Kingdom. These facts nor
recognition of them need not offend
If there shall be wisdom and tact in
the handling.
And there is time in which to deal
wisely and exercise forbearance. No
crisis Immediately impends. although
the problem should not be avoided.
The japanese are shown by the CEN
sus to be only per cent of Califor-
MAS population and they were IL per
cent. ten years ago. We are not be-
ing overrun as yet. but in Hawaii the
percentage, nearly one half, is cause
for consideration.
The japanese population Of the
Pacific coast states has increased at
lower rate than during the pre-
vious decade. though the japanese
women have increased.
California. with a total population
of 3.42S.S6l. showed a Japanese popu-
iation Of 70.196. an increase of 2S,S40
or 6s.7 per cent. since 1910. compared
with Japanese total in 1919 of A.
356. which was in increase over 1906
OF 81 .205, or 1914 per cent.
In Hawaii the total population OF
all races is 255.S12, of which 100. aSs
are japanese.
Japanese number 1T.114 in Wash
ington out of a total population o.
1,356.621. gain of Ass during the
decade. of 32.4 per cent. Between
1900 and 1910 the japanese popuIa
ton in Washington increased 1912, OF
1902 per cent
japanese in Oregon when this
years census was taken totalled 400:
OF total population Of 7S3,3S9. Thi.
was an increase of 604, or 17.7 De,
cent.-half the rate of increase fol
the 1900-1910 decade.
The census bureaus figures dis
closed that on the Pacific coast
where females constituted not more
than 6 per cent. of the Japanese pop.
ulation in any state 20 years ago
women now make up 3S.S per cent. o.
the Japanese total in California. a.,
Ier cent. in Washington and Sa.3 De,
cent in Oregon. In Hawaii the ratio
OF japanese women to men has near
ly doubled since 1900, and now /.
AZ per cent. females.
One wonders whether in view OF
these conditions, the agitation in
Japan isn't for the purpose Of con-
ceaiing gentleman's agreemen,
whereby Japan may enforce a Mon
roe Doctrine in Asia Such insinu
atoms have been made and are no,
incredible. Anyhow it is safe to as
sumo Japan will not be permitted ia