The Pensacola journal., 1922-12-03

While there is a distinct difference of
opinion editorially expressed concerning
the merits of the Supreme Court de-
cision that Japanese cannot be natur-
[ allied it is agreed that it is important
I that the right of Congress to determine
who shall not enjoy such privilege is
most important. Editors also are di-
vided whether the decision will result in
strained relations between the two
countries but the majority anticipate
,3shat it will not.
While the Japanese "Jingoes" will
storm, in the opinion of the Minneapolis
Tribune, there is reason to believe the
people of both countries take a more
rea sonable and less provocative attitude
than formerly toward the whole question
of Japanese privilege in this country.
1t is now more fully recognized that
sharp diYergences in moral, social and
industrial standards do not necessarily
signify superiority or inferiority on
either side The Chattanooga Times
also feels certain that the decision
cannot and will not involve any issue
If diplomacy or create any strained re-
iations with Japan" And, inasmuch as
tho Japanese are not white men,, the
Wheeling Register says 'if our laws eX-
clude them from citizenship they will
abide by the decision without recourse
.
son for this opinion in the view of the
Providence Journal. and that is 80 far
as the limitation of naturalization to
white persons is concerned that has
been the rule almost from the beginning
of the government. The exception N
favor of the blacks was introduced fol-
lowing the Civil var"
The decision suggests to the Toledo
Blade that "a system OF penalizing non
voters would do away completely with
the carrying of elections by minorities
"fnasmuch as this case showed now
much the Japanese petitioners valued
+hetr right Of citizenship. The non
voter. the Blade, continues. lis respon-
sihle for an immeasurable amount OF
aviI which has been visited upon this
nation. Why shouldn't he be required -
r.,v for it." But the Lafayette J' ur-
nal Courier argues, that the decision
must be regarded entirely on its merits
because I'VE have one almost hopetcfS
rayce problem. We cannot afford an
other Exclusion is in the lntefest on
tile Japanese in the long rum rs We1 as
n,,rE.' 1t also clarifies the pa oblem, the
q hicaro News asserts, inasmuch as lit
is within the power of congress to re
wise the naturalization laws and extend
or raduce the zone referred TO the
.cos;r+,s decision. In other words p7@tl-
cal and diplomatic questions are re-
served. as they should be to congress
alsd the people. The judiciary may hoe
legisIate under the pretense OF con-
STRUNG and applying provisions OF Or
g;c,ic or statutory laws" Furthermore
the Memphis Commercial Appeal sug-
g,ssts, that ..if the government can re-
frrse citizenship on the grounds OF ~aee
and color it can also refuse cltlzensnip
for many other reasons And 1t wo''l1
be, a good thing for the future status Oh
lie country if we should look more
closely into the state of. mind ana pos
81 bilities for efficiency and loyalty OF
fraure immigrants to this country.
Dangers must be faced as result OF
the decision, the Binghampton Press
argues. because 1T needs no great
knowledge of history or Of human nature
to teach us that a nation which con-
rs Sns a la.ge body of people who cannot
btscome citizens is in the same danger
as a church which contains a large BODY
of people who do not pretend to adhere
to, it's ethical principles. As an act OF
seaf protection the nation can keep peo-
Pile out who are not eligible for citizen
stdp. but If we admit people who cannot
be- naturalized. or if we persist in DENY
II & citizenship rights to those already