Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1920-09-23
MIR. ANDo WRITES ON
JAPANESE QUESTION

Editor Free Press:
Some days ago negotiations were
reported to be progressing smoothly
between Secretary of State Bainbridge
Colby and Japanese Ambassador
Shidehara with view to stoppage
of further Immigration from Japan and
the granting OF citizenship to Japan
csc in this country.
Commenting on these negotiations,
as we have observed repeatedly,
Americans in general arc agreed that
additional japanese immigrants are
undesirable, but they do believe, it
seems to us, that proper protection
and guidance must be accorded the
japanese already here-a mere handful
in comparison with more than ILL.,
100000 Americans.
Proof of this attitude of Americans
is to be found in the platform of the
Republican and Democratic parties.
and in an analysis of public opinion
expressed in eastern states. Also it
is to be gained through friendly con-
versations with Californians.
Those who advocate absolute ex-
elusion of the japanese and would go
to almost any end to Cypress Japan
csc in America are confined to a few
agitators and their blind followers.
Among the anti-Japanese agitators ex-
travagant assertions are made and they
would not stop until they had taken
from japanese born in this country
the right of citizenship. We feel,
however, that Americans in general
are far too sane to become involved
in such an anachronism
Even these Japanophobes are forced
to admit the japanese are not in
ferior to Americans, as generally
branded. Mr.. Chambers, state control
Ter of California, who conducted a
special investigation of the japanese
in this state for anti-Japanese, made
the emphatic stat ment in his report
that the japanese are industrious and
possess great ability.
The only point of the Japanophobes
is that if the industrial expansion of
japanese in California is allowed to
90 unchecked, the future of the state
might be menaced on this hypothe
sis They are preaching that now fam
Gus doctrine of their unassimilabilty of |
the Japanese. Their assertions how
ever, Is but prior idea, uncon-
firmed by facts They have made no
painstaldng investigation and re-
searches to prove their contentious.
Furthermore, they pretend not to
know that they Themselves are putting
the bars up against japanese who
through their own merit might well
be granted citizenship.
We know the japanese in California
at first hand. We know their history,
every bit of evidence of their strug-
giles and endeavors during the past
ten years or so to Americanize them
selves, and we would say to Ameri-
cans without a mOment's hesitation
that the Japanese have made ire
mendOus progress in this respect. Fur
thermore, if citizenship shall be vouch-
safed to Japanese residing in the Uni
ted States, they will progress with
rapidity perhaps a hundred times
greater than ever before.
Assimilability or Americanization
both of these terms always means the
development of future American citi-
zens, it is absurd to look for these
qualities where they are not permitted.
Regarding the granting of citizen
ship to Japanese, we would like TO say
a few words, as we do not wish to be
by anyone. The act of
granting citizenship to Japanese in
America does not mean that all of a
sudden approximately 100000 Japan
csc in this country would be naturaliz-
ed. To become naturalized there is a
legal procedure which any alien must
follow. japanese are no exceptions.
Also it is for the individual to deter
mine whether he wishes to become
Therefore, the act of de-
that Japanese shall be eli
gible to citizenship does not mean
that all the Japanese here would be-
come American citizens
AS for the proposal that Japan shall
send no more immigrants to the United
States, that ought to be regarded by
all as a necessity. AS a matter of
fact, ever since the signing of the
gentlemen's agreement, that it would
not cause additional trouble to the
Japanese government.
The trouble rather is with the Ameri-
ian government, which must settle the
problem of citizenship grants to the
Japanese, but of the two propositions
f the so-called Japanese-American
problem is to be solved fundamentally
eaving no room for friction between
he two powers, the latter is a more
welcome policy for Americans and
Japanese. We, therefore, for the
'ake of both great nations, hope the
eported negotiations will be happily
.onsummated in the near future.
FRANK ANDO