Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-05-01

AS It fell upon q day
In the merry month Of May,
. Sitting in q pleasant shade
Which a grove Of myrtlss made"
APPLY THE GOLDEN RULE

Any unnecessary aggravation of
Japan's constituencies, and contribu-
ton u the Japanese tingoes would
be regrcttabie. The President IL right
in his efforts to Obviatc that as far
as possible. Just what his sugges-
ton may be is not learned but 1t is
thought to he a recommendation to
show as much Difference to public
sentiment In japan as may be con-
sistent with the conditions.
The representatives from the
Pacific coast states are opposed to
any change, either because of what
the change actually would be or bs-
cause Of apprehension that It may
open door ~ further change. The
actual conditions existing under the
prcsent arrangement appear to be
these: only 1851 Japanese immi-
grants came into this country in the
fifteen year period ending In 1928,
practically all OF whom. were Women
and children. The total japanese
immigration into this country and
Hawaii for that period amounted
only to 1s.0os. The "gentlemen's
agreement" appears to have been
practical and It is said. to have re-
Guced the nunker Of Japanese males
in this country by more than $4,000.
What really the Pacific coast COM
rRunities arc most concerned with
appears to be those born to Japanese
parents. Notwithstanding they are
not assimilable--do not wish to be 1t
seems--the menace does not appear
especially formidable to the out
siders.
In this connection one is reminded
Of what Premier Macdonald of
Great Britain had to say the other
day. that: lin these days inter-
national friendship is not based up
on official friendship. To be fruit
full and enduring 1t needs the sane
tion OF popular sympathy" Viewed
In this light there Is much to be de-
Macdonald expressed the conviction
the press is able to accomplish much.
Certainly II should be judicious with
respect to this Japanese matter.
Incidentally we may get a little
light on the commercial side OF opr
relations from the fact that during
the nine months, ending in March
we sold to Japan exports to the
value of s?4a,sO4,552.
Tho president of the National Re-
tail Dry Goods Association return
ing from a visit TO Japan has some
thing to say we'll worth while to
consider. lie found the politicians
stirring up, warlike sentiment
against this country. This has been
aided by antagonism expressed in
the newspapers. He thinks the feel
ing in Japan has been difficult to
keep friendly toward the United
States ever since Japan was in
fiuenced to give up the fruits of her
victory over Russia. A lot Of
japanese arc non clamoring for war
with tho United States, not de-
sirable condition in our relations,
though OF no immediate menace.
lie believes there should be
practical exclusion until the situa-
tion Is cleared UP, He sees diff
ficuity I'm this because OF the atti-
tudc in California which he doubts
is fair to the Japanese in all re-
spects. He does not find that they
are much more unassimiiable than
are the Mexicans who come in in
great numbers. Furthermore. the
Japanese are very fond of their own
country, are not an cmigrating peo-
pie and are not taking advantage of
their present opportunities to do SO.
He would not question our right to
exclude them but sees no occasion
to do this on the ground that they
are In any way an inferior people.
He would in every way avoid giving
oifsnse and he sees possibility OF
CERTAIN countries. Russia for one,
Wishing TO excite ill-wili between the
two countries. We should apply the
Golden Rule. The press should do
what n ypay 10 4hiv AND