Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1920-12-02
MOSTLY POLITICS
RE: JAP QUESTION


voted overwhelmingly in favor of the
antialien land law, recently adopted
by the Legislature of that state and
put up to the voters by referendum.
The law provides that in the future
no alien, not eligible for American
Citizenship, may own or lease agri-
cultural lands in California. 1t does
not affect existing ownership or titles
already acquired.
This law is the outgrowth of the
japanese question of California and
in way of the whole country. 1t is
a racial, social and economic quest
ion and has to do with a race that can
not be assimilated. From, the nature
of things they congregate in colonies,
acquire land and other property, re-
tain their own manners and customs
to the detriment of other peoples.
The present law was purposed to
strengthen similar law passed in
1913 which in a large measure has
been evaded.
Not only California but the whole
country is vitality interested as the
question has been a subject of friction
and diplomatic negotiations for
years. 1t came into prominence in
1867 when the San Francisco Board
of Education prohibited japanese Chi
ldren from attending the public
schools of the city.
This led to diplomatic negotiations
and Washington brought pressure to
bear upon California which caused
her to provide separate schools for
the japanese children. The agitation
led to futher restriction of japanese
immigration and finnaly in 1908 the
socalled "gentlemans agreement" was
reached between tibet U. S. and Jap
an whereby the later undertook to
restrict futher immigration, whether
she has scrupulously kept faith is a
question for the Japanese population
of California has greatly increased
during the last few years.
In the main the relations between
Japan and the United States have
been cordial since in 1854 when Perry,
backed by the guns of the "Missis-
sippi'' and other ships of the U. S.
Navy, opened the ports of Nippon
to the commerce of the world. Since
made wonderful progress and has
come to be recognized as a world
power. All the while a mutual adj
has existed between the
citizens of the two countries even
though jingoists have tried to stir
up jealousies by their talk of the
probability of war. Is this friend
ship to be broken and if so by
whor2 =?
Clippings from the japanese press
indicates that Nippon's pride has
grown to ungainly proportions and
that she has a deep resentment agai-
INST the actions of California and to a
smaller extent against the whole of
America. They seem to forget that
Japan herself has laws strictly linn
iting the rights of foreigners and that
it is an old established doctrine that a
nation has the right to decide who
shall settle within her borders. The
press seems to overlook the fact that
Canada and Australia have discrimi-
mated against the Japs. There are
thost who think that Japan may be
using the land question in an effort
to force concessions from us by secur-
ing our consent to her designs in the
East.
Marquis Okuma, a former Premier
of Japcn recently said that the rest
ricted immigration under which the
Japanese rest "is prejudical to Jap
MS Prestige. He spoke of a great
outburst of patriotism among his peo-
e against the t. S. such speeches
rot c 'cu' ted to do much good
md surely will not intimidate Amer
lea. It seem that most Americans
re willing to give California a com.
paratively free hand and to beck lie
up. At least our section is, for it
'as question to- settle without inter-
'crence. Some would have he- to
.ct continuously lest she plunge US in
o war.
Most likely the friction will be
over for Japan will think h