Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-01-19
GUARD NEW MEXICO.

II would be timely act for Gov
ernor Larrazolo to ask the legislature.
at the coming special session, to enact
law similar to that of California to
prevent Asiatics, not eligible to be-
come naturalized, from owning land.
And this state might go even further
by forbidding evasion of such law
through using American born Jap
anese children as dummy buyers and
holders through guardianship.
Such children are now held 10 be
citizens with fun privilege of voting
and holding office when they become
of age. The California law is evaded
and the state is aroused by the defi-
ance and evasion of the intent of tine
law. A majority of the members of
the two legislative branches of the
state has asked the governor to have
the subject considered at a special ses-
sion
There are in California about 25, 900
japanese native sons and daughters,
each claiming the right to hold land
through guardian, and many of them
utilized for that purpose.
Senator Phelan has introduced bill
in congress for that purpose and Rep
resentative Raker has a similar bill in
the house. International politics may
prevent action by congress, or a con-
stitutional or treaty obstacle be found.
1t took many years to get exclusion of
Chinese, through a treaty. Japan, I'M
willing to make a similar treaty, made
h "gentleman's agreement to hold
back 'laborers." This agreement is
evaded by giving all sorts of people
permits to come, as of other voeations
or as students. OF course the immi-
grants very soon turn to occupations
that bring them into competition with
Americans.
Japanese have almost dominated the
cantaloupe industry in the Mesilla VAL
ley of New Mexico for several years and
have caused such a local condition that
the farm bureau of Dona Ana county
has recently begun a campaign to
eliminate them and save the district
from becoming undesirable to other
settlers. The Japanese succeed as well
in fruit growing, berry culture, and
general produce as in the melon in
dustry. They may easily win in the
cotton industry. for which the Mesilla
valley is preparing.
In the Pecos valley, where a million
dollar cotton crop has been picked
this year, japanese could starve out
the native labor and as leasers or buy
ers take over the cotton business.
Colonization agents for japanese
have looked over the Pecos valley.
They have also visited the Portales
valley which has come into promi-
fnence in the growth of sweet potatoes
and other products. japanese could
dominate the beet sugar industry that
will be established around Albuquer-
que when drainage of lands has been
accomplished. While the special lines
japanese prefer have not been fully
developed in this state, it is well for
development to be retarded rather
than to let the Japanese become mas
tiers of such interests.
New Mexico's two elements of peo-
pie are progressing; they assimilate
in a measure, and are advancing har-
moniously and evenly in good citizen
ship, with no discordant and alien
spirit. They are all Americans or of
material that becomes American. I'll
is not so as to japanese or Uindus,
who are also a menace in California.
Some landed interests may re de-
sirous of bringing in Asatic leasersi
or buyers, but such a practice would
result in general harm to the people
and to interests of this state.
Some sentimentalists may argue
that it is very unfair to Japan to dis
criminate. But Japan herself forbids
competitive Asiatics, the Koreans and
Chinese, to engage in labor in Japan
and has always forbidden land owner
ship by anybody but japanese,
On another page of this paper Is
, presented some of information that
has been culled from various neWspa-
pers of California and other states of
the activity of the japanese in congre-
eating i'm chosen spots, the results or
their inflow, and a statement OF the
methods by which they are increas-
ing in numbers and dominating vari-
Gus interests.
The facts should receive publicity
through both English and Spanish pa
pers of New Mexico.