South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-10-21
Ry GEORGE WOODRTFF.


states and Japan VIII eventually hgat
"a great war. The United States feels
aggrieved because Japan IS appar-
emily closing the open Door" and
Japan feels that she has several
grievances against the United States
Japan has strongly protested on
various occasions against the laws
OF California which have discrimin-
ated against the japanese and have
made difficult the ownership Of land
IN California by Japanese. These
land laws provide that land cannot
be held in California bv any alien
who is not entitled 20 become natur-
allied under our laws As our laws
provide that only white men ana
negroes can become naturalized the
Japanese are Of course barred from
~ ownership OF land and the Jap
anese government considers this rae
ial discrimination They point out
the fact that Turks, Mexicans. Hot
tentots. and Zulus can own land un-
der our laws but that ia anese are
disqualified because they belong 20
the yellow race.
The japanese cannot object 20
laws that bar all outsiders from own
ing land for they have passed laws
that prohibit the ownership of land
outside Of their treaty ports by any
aliens However Japan objects to
the discriminatory nature of our laws
and has consistently demanded the
recognition OF racial equality.
Sensitive Natures.
II would seem wise for us in Amer
lea TO recognize the sensitive nature
OF japanese feelings and endeavor TO
frame exclusion laws and land laws
so that they will be general in their
scope instead of apparently aimed
against any one race or nation not
withstanding the fact that Japan
herself bars out Chinese and Korean
coolies
At the coming international con-
ference to be held in washington the
question of racial equality will un-
doubtedly be brought up and it
might do no harm and might on the
other hand do considerab BILE good for
us 10 admit that we know Of no rea-
son why the japanese should not at
tain racial equality with the white
races However il IS not for a con-
clare whether one race is worthy Of
equality with another race. This is
matter for world public sentiment
TO decide but We might at least de-
clare that we will not put anything
in the way Of the attainment by Jap
an OF racial equality in the minds of
the people OF all the world. II on
the other hand we were TO positive
IL declare the racial equality of the
Japanese and the white races we
might find that considerable sec
lions OF the public opinion Of the
world would not agree with us and
furthermore Japanese statesmen
might take advantage Of our declar-
alton to urge the naturalization of
Japanese on the same basis as Euro
peans
While the California grievances
have been played up very strongly
in Japan and while Japan IS OF
course intensely interested in seeing
that her people obtain the best pos
slble treatment I'm America, never
theIess many shrewd men over here
feel that Japan has used very good
diplomatic strategy in keeping our
attention riveted on California while
she was making her great advance in
Manchuria. Mongolia and China.
Opposition To Expansion.
The Japanese feel that the United
States has always opposed japanese
expansion on the main land of Asia
or in any other direction. They point
10 their enormous population and
need for expansion and cali attention
10 the fact that the United States has
not seriously objected 20 the eXpan-
sion of European nations in Asia and
IN Africa They Furthermore cite
the fact that the United States has
done considerable expanding herself
and Is still extending her domain
around the Caribbean sea. Our
method or acquiring sovereignty over
the Panama Canal is occasionally
brought up when we become too
critical Of japanese methods I'M Asia.
The Japanese feel that the Ameri-
cans have given considerable en-
calragemeut 10 the Koreans i'm their
agitation for independence from Ja-
pan and everybody in America knows
how japan feels about our opposition
20 Japanese control Of Shantuns and
our position conceruins Japanese
possession OF the Island of Zap.
Japan feels that because Of her
geographical position she IS entitled
20 dominate the trade OF eastern Asia
and a her business men and traders
come into competition with Ameri-
cans who are interested in trade with
this part OF the world there natural
" results numerous causes for frtc-
ton and bad feeling
il IS interesting 20 note that many
japanese feel that they are entitled
20 exclusive rights or the main land
OF Asa and there is considera bic
talk Of a proposed Japanese policy
20 be known as Asia for the Asia
dcx" This proposed policy Is said
10 be justified by our Monroe Doc
tr!ne but upon examination the two
policies are found 20 be entirely dit
fsrent- Under our Monroe Doctrine
Ne do not keep earrisons permanent
Is in South America for do we inter
fere with the internal affairs OF the
countries south Of us nor do We take
any steps 20 monoqollze their trade
20 the disadvantage Of other nations.
All or these things are acinS done Dy
hJapan in China and 20 Is proposed 70
stustify this policy by giving IL the
attractive title 81 Asia for the Asia
tics IL Japan would declare a real
Monroe Doctrine and would then
carry out our Monroe Doctrine the
United States would be pleased be-
Difficulties Of Warfare.
Should disagr eements between the
United states and Japan grow 90 q
point where warfare was seriously
considered IL IS certain that both
countries would realize the difficult