South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-08-08

mere ndd not ~ minutes clapScu
after the opening OF the first con-
ference before IL became evident
that the one point uppermost IN the
minds OF OR japanese ContrereS
was the American immigration ques-
ton. The subject was one that We
could quickly see was affecting their
minds profoundly. II at once devel-
oped too that their irritation was
not entirely engendered by the
American attitude OF exclusion, but
was caused largely by what they re-
garded as discrimination in the
treatment Of Japanese already in
America, and perhaps even more
than that by the rudeness and the
unkindness, as looked at from their
point Of view, of the manner Of eN-
pressing public sentiment in Cali
fornia. They were perfectly ready
TO recognize the domestic difficulties
in the United states that would GER
tainly follow anything like a free In
flux of japanese immigration. There
was no suggestion OF attacking the
exclusion policy, but there was a
depth OF feeling in regard 10 the
proposed referendum in California,
and especially as 10 the wording Of
that referendum which had cruelty
wounded japanese national pride.
In respect 10 the immigration
question. there was frank admission
that errors had been committed by
the japanese in America. In the
beginning these errors were regard
ed as naturally resulting from ignoT-
ance OF western customs and ideals.
The first immigration OF japanese
into America had been brought
about by the active efforts of Amer
lean employers of labor. The Chin
csc exclusion act had left a gap in
the California labor supply; and
capital sought 10 nil that gap by the
importation of Japanese labor. En-
ployers went first 70 Hawaii, where
an undesirable class OF Japanese
were secured. From the first. edu-
Gated and experienced people in
Japan were fearful that the Japan
csc people would be unhappily rep
resented by this class OF immigra-
ton. The activities Of American
employers soon extended to Japan,
and immigrants were gathered UP
FROM whatever class they could be
most readily drawn.
Blame American Employers.
II was admitted with entire frank
ness that the early immigration
movement was largely made up
from a class of Japanese least like
ly 10 give the greatest satisfaction
TO their new western neighbors; but
IL was felt that the fault for that, in
large part at least, lay at the door
of American employers of labor. IL
was pointed out that the natural
national characteristics OF the Jap
anese was insular, that for 1000
years they had stayed closely a:
fhnr, ~ nff1nr
ton in history, had so kept 70 them
selves that they became known to
the world as the hermit nation.
There was no movement Of Japanese
TO European countries, and indeed
almost no movement out OF Japan
directly traceable to the unaided
volition of the Japanese. American
immigration was not only invited,
but most actively assisted by Amer
leans in the beginning.
There was little complaint in the
minds of our Japanese confrereS
against the basic provision OF eX-
clusiOn, except as that policy rest
ed upon any declaration on the part
of America OF inferiority OF race.
The burden of the complaint was
directed toward a lack OF equity and
justice in the treatment of Japan
csc already resident in America, but
perhaps even moro particularly,
against the harshness and unkind-
ness, as they repeatedly used those
words, in the methods adopted. IL
was the feeling that japan had ac-
coded TO every request made by our
federal government They had
acquicsced in the "Gentlemen's
Agreement" and professed to nave
observed its terms with the most
quiesced in the request that the
should be stopped, although they
felt there was great unkindnesS in
an attitude which shut Japanese
resident in California out of any
hope OF peaceful family life. They
expressed a willingness to acqulesce
TO almost any demand that the fed
eral government would make II
there was In IL at least a show of
equity compared with our treatment
OF other aliens.
Need Understanding.
The exposition OF their views on
the immigration question left little
doubt in our minds that an under
standing could be reached with the
Japanese government covering every
complaint which had anything like
reasonable basis II the subject
were presented TO their government
by the federal government of the
United States, which is. of course.
the only channel through which IL
could be presented TO the japanese
government and If our demands
were couched in terms Of reason
able courtesy, and with some out
ward show at least OF sympathetic
international friendliness.
1t was on this point OF interna-
tional courtesy that the question
seemed largely to balance. If u
state was left TO shape measures in
the light of domestic politics, If
political demagogucs were 10 draw
in harsh and offensive language
laws which. on their face. made no
attempt 10 conceal their discrimina-
tory character. II the federal gov
eminent was to stand aloof, and
never reach out a courteous hand IN
any attempt 10 smooth over the
rough language used in domestic
political contests where the whole
question was but incidental political
grist IN the mill of the demagogue,