Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1924-04-22
Japanese Exclusion

ate have ridden roughshod over
the objections of high admins
tration officials, including Secre-
tary of State Hughes, and, ignor-
ing the blunt warning of the
Japanese ambassador, have
passed by a large majority an
immigration bill that bars Orien-
tails from this country.
The drastic bill restricts inn
migration to the lowest point in
our history. Japanese, Chinese
and HIindus are absolutely bar
red.
The Japanese ambassador is
reported to have gone so far as
to say that the passage Of the
bill may imperil the friendly re-
lations existing between this
country and Japan.
For many years there has ex-
listed between the Japanese and
American governments a gen
tlemans agreement" that has
worked splendidly. During
the time of this agreement only
about 5000 Japs have entered
this country, an actual average
Of 576 for the past IS years.
Just why our lawmakers
should have taken so drastic
step, is hard to understand UNI
less it is, as the New York
Times says that "a nervous SEN
ate thought it saw a foreign at
tempt to dictate American legis-
lation; and it then assumed
an attitude Of defiance that must
seriously embarass the Presi-
dent.
We see no good reason for
the action of the American SEN
ate and House in passing this ex-
clusion measure. Their action
does not seem to have been
necessary.
The wonderful advancement
OF Japan as a nation is one of
the wonders of the world. To-
day she is increasing in popula-
ton so rapidly that an outlet
for her teeming millions is abso-
lutely necessary. We should
help her find that outlet.
We do not want them in this
country, and we would much
prefer that they remain on the
other side of the globe, but
there is better way to deal
with The Jap than the one being
persued by our congressman.
Possibly the attitude of the
Senate and House is explained
by Senator Underwood. who,
the Macon Telegraph says
joined the mad throng in vot-
ing for the exclusion clause,
but who now declares that
''Instead of standing for the
great principle of human rights
and human liberty and freedom
of conscience, we, the great
Democratic party, are going to
tear down our standards and
yield our cause to passion and
prejudice, On that ground, will
not follow"
Congress, no doubt, was in
fluenced by the cry that comes
from the Pacific coast states that
the Jap has forced the white
farming class out of existence.
1t is true that the white farm
er can not compete with the Jap,
who is willing to work longer
hours; who places his number
less brood of children in the
fields before they are old enough
for school; who allows the lap
mother to weed and hoe day in
and day out. with only day or
two out of the fields to give
birth to another child.
Our people viii not and can
not meet this kind Of competi.
ton. and Japan knows it and
has fully carried out her part o.
the gentleman agreement.
We do not want the Jap. or 9th
er 0rientals in this Country bu
there's a better wsy o. dealing
with this subject thaa the on,
now being followed BY Con
gress.
The Townsville Times-En
terprise says the Japanese
question is one that bodies Sc
rious consideration. and that
The japanese ambassador put
far into the fire when he men
toned grave consequences as
q result of the passage of the ex-
clusion provision. and the senators
very promptly voted, with two
exceptions, to make this a pr0vis-
ion Of the law, regardless of any
sgensleman's agreement that