Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-06
Japanese immigration
Problem Is Discussed

TO the Editor OF The star:
A Washington Star editorial, January
%, refers to that section of the immigra-
ton restriction act of 1924 which ex-
cludes as immigrants all aliens ineligi-
BILE to our citizenship as "Japan's en-
during grievance" and suggests that
Japan would perhaps be satisfied with
immigration quota which would admit
less than 200 Japanese per year, but
which would place her nationals on the
same plane as white Europeans in the
matter of immigration.
Quota for Japan was fully considered
by Congress in 1924. The Senate i'm
migration committee had already de-
cided to place Japan under quota when
California secured hearing and con-
vinced the committee that the plan was
unwise. A poll of the Senate week
before the Hanihara letter showed two
thirds of its members practically pledged
to the exclusion plan as the only one
which promised to be at the same time
effective and least open to just criti-
cism.
To grant quota to Japan would de-
stroy at once the basic policy, certainly
logical in restricting immigration, of
excluding aliens ineligible to citizenship,
by making exception of Japan's ma
tionals. If japanese alone are excepted
from the law we incur justly the en-
nifty OF China, India and the other
Asiatic countries whose people are also
of the colored races. If we place all
Asia under quota We must admit over
1000 Chinese annually under the pres
ent quota plan.
1t is desirable to avoid giving offense
to Japan; but 1t Is important to pre-
serve the interests of this country and
n yryno xryoo 70 iv,% f,1fYs
population which Is fairly homogeneous.
Japanese leaders have said they will not
be satisfied with quota, they will insist
ultimately on being made eligible for
American citizenship. 1t Is not the 1924
immigration act which is discriminatory
against japanese. since If the natural
izatiOn act were so amended as to make
Japanese eligible for citizenship the
present immigration act would admit
them automatically for settlement.
President Roosevelt pointed out in
1909 the necessity, In the interest of in
ternational friendship, of preventing the
settlement Of bodies of Americans in
Japan and of bodies of japanese in the
United States. He explained that the
gentlemen'S agreement was entered into
for the express purpose of preventing a
further increase of Japanese population
in continental United States, with the
understanding that if it failed it was to
be replaced by an exclusion law. 1t did
fail signally. Hence the action by Con-
gress, which enacted logical and nom
discriminatory measure instead OF an
offensive exclusion law.
California has now a very grave prob
lem in the second generation Japanese,
fine young men and young women men
tally and physically, but set apart by
racial barrier which neither side can
break down, and Offering most conclu-
sive evidence of the farsightedness of
President Roosevelt. The two RAGS in
California are considering this problem
with mutual goodwill and sympathy.
Their efforts will 60 for naught If the
original issue is again raised through
demand to reopen the gates, however
slightly, to Oriental immigration.
President Coolidge, after doing what
he could to meet Japan's wishes l.. this
mater. said: 1.-THE incident is closed.
We must seek by some means besides
immigration to demonstrate the friend
ship and respect we feel for the jap
anese nation" SO says California. II
there be some other way 1t will be
welcomed.
CALIFORNIA JOINT IMMIGRATION
COMMITTEE.
v. S. McCLATCHY, Secretary.