New-York tribune., 1920-09-15

here from the Pacific Coast Of our
country. I do not doubt that Ameri-
cans on the coast are troubled in their
minds about the Oriental question, as it
is called. That question raises every
Interpretation of our watchword, Amer
ca First for it involves four sets of
obligations.
Great Issues at Stake
"rt involves our obligations to great
foreign powers; it involves the obliga-
| tions of all America toward one group
of American states and their peoples,
but it also involves the obligations of
! that group of states to the nation.
There is abundant evidence Of the
dangers which lurk in racial differ
ences. do not say racial inequalities
Il say racial differences. l am ever
ready to recognize th,.t the civilization
Of the Orient is older than ours, that
her peoples have their proud and
honorable traditions.
sin spite of the honor of these
Oriental peoples and in spite of their
contributions to the worlds advance
ment, it is conceivable that they may
be so different in racial characteris-
tics or in manner of life or practice
from other peoples Of equal honor and
achievement that no matter whether
it be on the soil of one or upon the
soil Of the other these differences
without raising any question of i'm
feriority, superiority or inequality,
may create, as l believe they have
created upon our Pacific coast, with
out blame to either side, a friction
that must be recognized.
The nation owes it to the Pacific
Coast to recognize that fact. The
nation ewes it to the Pacific Coast
states to stand behind them in neces-
sary measures consistent with our
national honor, to relieve them of
| their difficulties.
ferences must be accepted as one
existing in fact and must be adequate
~ met for the future security and
tranquility Of our people. We have
learned during the anxieties of the
World War the necessity of making
the citizenship of this republic not
only American in heart and soul, but
American in every sympathy and
every aspiration.
Only Assimilable Aliens
'No one can TRANQUILITY contemplate
the future of this Republic without an
anxiety for abundant provision for ad-
mission to our shores of only the i'm
migrant who can be assimilated and
thoroughly imbued with the American
spirit.
"From the beginning Of the Republic
America has been haven to the op-
pressed and the aspiring from all the
nations of the earth. We have opened
our doors freely and have given to the
peoples of the world who came to US
the fullness Of American opportunity
and political liberty.
I'VE have come to that stage Of our
development which of necessity must
be assumed by those who accept the
grant of American opportunity. From
this time on we are more concerned
are with adding the man power of in
dustry or the additional human units
in our varied activities.
"As people and nation, as Gov
ernor Stephens has said. we do have
the moral, the natural and the legal
international rights to determine who
shall or shall not enter our country
and participate in our activities.
with new realization Of the neces-
sty of developing a soul distinctly
American in this Republic we favor
. such notifications of our immigration
laws, and such changes in our inter
natlonel understandings, and such u
policy relating to those who come
among us, as will guarantee to the et-
EcilS VI lHlS ltepuDllC nOC only dSSlm-
liability o. alien born, but the adoption
by all who come Of American standards,
economic and otherwise, and a full con-
secration to American practices and
ideals.
81 find that your presence here gives
ne opportunity to put before tie
American people, through you, con-
S!dcration of profound Importance, to
which | have been giving and will
! continue to give a deserved attention.
"Changes have been taking place in
our national life which require recog-
! milton and study, and none is more
! important than that which has made it
/ necessary for US TO assure ourselves
that American agriculture shall be re-
stored to vigor and prosperity. be-
| lievc, and have said repeatedly, that
! the agriculture of a nation, and not
| its industry, its commerce, or it's
| cities. is the nations backbone
II believe, and have said repeatedly.
that we must put the land-owning
farmer back on the soil and provide for
the loan Of the capital when necessary
/ to buy and operate farms: that we
must encourage cooperation in the buy
. ing by the consumer and in the selling
/ by the farmer of our food products;
that We must increase our facilities
o'' roads. railroads and motor truck
ing: that we must invite the farmer