Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1920-12-09
Possibility
of w az Lies
With Japan
4
Congressman Kahn IS
Authority for State-
lnent that America
Desires Peace !.

NJ " uo1AAtA8t0kAs A<ESe eSt - -ASsrA-s--S -
the Japanese question freely and
from d carefully prepared address
delivered today in the house. Rep-
Kahn Of California,
chairman Of the military commit-
tee, declared that America hoped
always to avoid war, and that II
'ithe statemen. the publicists and
the politicians the agitators and
the demagogues Of Japan really
wanted war with the United States
they would be the ones to bring It
on and not the Americans.
Mr.. Kahn said he knew that he
voiced the earnest hope and the
wish of every patriotic American
than peace between the two coun-
tries may continue perpetuaIly."
Not Afraid Of War.
"But the world said he, has
only recently learned that we are
not too proud to fight; nor are we
afraid to war when we are forced
into war;
The military committee chairman
took occasion to reaffirm his belief
that universal military training
police would best safeguard the
country and added:
II have no fear-t4.nt there will be
war between Japan and the United
States In my lifetime, nor even the
lifetime Of my sons. And II am
thoroughly satisfied that II my
country remain measurably prepar-
ed there will be no difficulty be-
tween the nations al any time"
MIR. Kahn briefly reviewed the
history of the relations between
the United states and Japan re-
garding the Japanese immigration
problem in California. now the SUBJ
ject Of treaty negotiations between
the two governments, he said stu
dents Of International law every
where had recognized the absolute
right Of any nation to regulate
Even Japanese stu
dents were familiar with UNIVERSAL
ly accepted decisions on this point,
he said, and added: -
Decries Jingoisn. 4
1T is therefore most unfortunate
that a constant agitation regard
ing these matters is maintained by
our neighbors across the Pacific
because the final effect Of such
propaganda and agitation undoubt-
edly is to instill pronounced
hatred of America and Americans
among the masses in Japan.
"This is decidedly unfortunate
condition of affairs. Indeed, say
it is serious condtiion--a condi-
tion. that may result, unfortunately
in grave difficulties between two
heretofore friendly nations.
The speaker said ''many public
officials in Japan" as well as po
litical agitators had tried to make
the world believe" that opposition
to immigration of Japanese labor,
ers into the United States was
based upon racial prejudice"
Denies Race Prejudice.
1--WE OF the Pacific coast den,
that this is the case" he declared
mo objection has ever been nads
to the admission into this country
OF Japanese professional men, 81
Japanese financiers, or japanese
religious teachers or leaders ol
bona fide Japanese merchants ol
Japanese students or Japanese ira
velers. The sole objection is to thu
laboring class.
"Whether the undesirable b'
farmers, skilled mechanics or un
skilled coolies, / contend that tn.
objection Is purely an economic
one. Japan herself is doing to thu
laborers Of China und Korea wha
she claims is racial hate or pre-
judice when done by us 10 Japa
nese laborers."
Okuma Is Criticized.
Representative Kahn called at
tention TO newspaper .dispatche
quoting Count Okuma, ,head of th
Japanese peace society as havinl
said that if the UniteA States re
stricted japanese Immigration b
statute instead Of by voluntary &C
ton OF Japan. the latter, rathe
than suffer such prejudice to he
prestige must resort to force"
surely" Mr.. Kahn said, 9Th
head Of the peace society of Japai
does not advocate tie taking u
of arms against the United State
as indicated in the newspaper art
cles."
From his reading Of Japanes
history. Representative Kahn sal
he was sometimes inclined to be
lieve that there are many NOR
political agitators and deinagogut
on the other side of the Pacifl
than we can possibly find in ou
own country
Happily" he continued. I'VE !
America are npt worked into q
frenzy of excitement by purely pi
litical happenings"
| Specific Case Cited.
Mr.. Kahn gecalied the recent IL
cident at Tientsin where America