New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-08-01
American Method of Exclusion
Is What the Japanese Resent
Vanderlp Says the People of the Empire Have
No Grievance Against America Except for
Being Treated as Members of an Inferior Race

could be reached with the Japanese
government covering every complaint
which had anything like reasonable
basis If the subject were presented to
their government by the Federal gov
eminent Of the United States, which is,
OF course, the only channel through
which 1t could be presented to the Jap
ancse government; and if our demands
were couched in terms of reasonable
courtesy, and with some outward show
at least of sympathetic international
fricndlness
International Courtesy
1t was on this point of international
courtesy that the question seemed
largely to bala .ce. If state was left
to shape measures in the light of do
mestic politics, if political demagogucs
were to draw "a harsh and offensive
language laws which, on their face
made no attempt to conceal their dis
criminatory character; if the Federal
government was to stand aloof, and
never reach out n courteous hand in
any attempt to smooth over the rough
language used in domestic political
contests where the whole question was
but Incidental political grist in the
mill of the dcmagoguc, then, it was
pointed out with great gravity, the
immigration question will become
source of the deepest national irrita-
ton.
On the other hand, it was made per-
fectly clear that a diplomatic and
~ Gus handling of the subject in a
dignified manner b.; the Federal gov
ernment will be met by the Japanese
with disposition to acquiesce in every
NV neces cry 90 meet tne sonai5illtles
and even the prejudices OF American
communities.
There, it seems to me, this whole
.mn grafton Question stands. 1t can
easily develop INTO an irritation Of the
most dangerous character. On the
other hand, it is in position where
the two nations can be rescued from
drifting eny further toward situation
Of international antagonism, and every
domestic interest in the United States
safeguarded. But it is necessary that
honceforth there shall be brought to
the controversy reasonable interna-
tional courtesy.
1 believe that .he japanese stand
ready to be more than reasonable
that they ar prepared to make aim est
every concession the most anti-Jap-
anese opinion in America will with any
show of fairness ask. Their whole at
/
/ the Fundamental nature of our de-
mands AS by the manner in which they
are presented.
The Japanese are deeply appre-
hensivc in regard TO the effect on pub
lie opinion in japan Of the California
referendum. they would 60 to almost
any length if they could secure the
removal of the immi grafton question
from the hands of California polltl-
clans into the jurisdiction of digni-
fed, international tribunah They
would like to have Joint high com
mission appointed, not only for the
purpose Of studying means for the
adjustment Of ali differences in re-
gard to immigra ton, bu. for inquiry
INTO any other questions that are at
all likely to lead to international fric-
ton.
believe they are prepared to show
q reasonableness in the adjustment OF
international relations which would go
to extreme limits ii they could appicscA
the various subjects through an inter
national tribunal which would sit first
in Washington and later in Toxic
which would be composed Of repre-
sentatives Of the two nations, drawn
from men Of the highest character, and
which would proceed to an examina-
ton of any controversial questions il
a sympathetic, courteous and dlplo
. matte way
There are two ways for America tt
assert her views upon subjects of in
tcrnational interest to the two nations
One is to let local questions becom'
the football o. local politicians, t
have policies pronounced in the Ian
guagc of heated domestic politica
arena, and laws formulated withou
the slightest concern regarding Japan
csc national scnsibillties, or, indeed
ordinary international courtesy. Will
all that is being done locally the Fed
eral government can go on spending
. endless millions in building up a nav
which may awe even our largest neigh
2 bors.
Nationally, we may continue t
assume an attitude from which highl
2 moral announcements are made an
? criticisms are levelcd against acts tina
occur in the vast region of the Eas
t which today is a political chaos with
out contra. government authority
t whore corruption is rampant and la'
b and order has disappeared or is fas
disappearing. We can continue t
e make these moral pronouncements an
t to lodge specific criticism while W
z neither accept the responsibility of be