Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-04-28
WAYS OF LOOKING AT 1T

1.-TWO friends may be as good
friends as men can be, having tho
greatest possible regard and respect
for each other but If one should say
to the other, Let us take our own
families, and live all together in the
same house in order that our friend
SAp may be strengthened what
would be the answer? Undoubtedly
the other would reply, That is not
the way to strengthen friendship,
but to destroy it. Our children
might quarrel, our wives would GER
tainly disagree. We are two families.
and should remain distinct. side by
side. in harmony, and friendship.
Such an answer contains no dislike,
no disrespect. but simply the TRUTH
With these words begins a circular
letter received. 1t is sent in advo-
cacy of the plan to grant Japan such
o small quota as to eliminate any
possible menace and at the same
time not offend her dignity. Thcoreti-
cally her dignity should not he Of
Tended by exclusion, as 1t may imply
inferiority or inability to compete
with the methods of Ter people. At
least it does not imply, however we
look at it, that the Japanese are not
an enterprsinG. capable people.
Moreover it is supported by the facts
of experience which show that the
orientals will not be AmericaniZed.
They have had opportunity to DEM
onstrate whether they would be and
they have not been.
The facts about this inability to
assimilate being established, and de-
parture from the logic of 1t being in
the nature of favoritism, presents a
difficult problem. The Japanese am
Eassador aggravated the situation,
and though no disavows intention TO
utter "veiled threat" that was
what it amounted to in diplomatic
language. 1t is possible japan was
not prepared for the response. which
was very emphatic. perhaps unduly
so. Japan. recalling all that VIC
Welded to her in the Washington
conference, how tenderly we con-
sidered her susceptibilities in the
"gentlemen's agreement may have
thought to bring us tn terms with
strong words. If SO she has some
thing yet to learn respecting US.
Chairman Johnson of the immigra-
tioh committee has explained the
POSITION of those who favor eXclu-
sion without conditions. For one
thing he secs the quota would be
giving a privilege to one kind of
orIentais which is being denied to
Chlna. and to India: that the gates
would. be opened to- picture brides.
thats,a quota, however small. would
mean abandonment of policy die
tated by the logic of the situation,
On the other hand. though we
hale little reason to suppose that
any favors we may now show to
Japan will cause her gratitude, we
cap see that she is In n position TO
anhoy.us. For the present she is I'M
ahle-to attack us. but establish the
win 10 do so and development of i'll
win eovor a period of years. the like
lihoods of such an attack is greatly
Increased. Tnen, IN the matter Oh
business. this country has great ad-
vahtAses from pleasant trade rela-
tiohSswith that country. The gen
tlemeN's agreement" did not irrttate
Japan's sensitiveness and did no ap-
probable harm, so far as we can
learn. 1t may not have been desir-
able from several points of view.
Neither is the ill-will of the Japan
csc: the bitterness which will be
cultivated by their jingoes. who will
tell them we took advantage Of her
helplessness to insult her. This,
though we have aided her greatly in
her misfortune, and though tho ex-
clusion is no more unfair to Japan
than to other orientals.