Disapproving
Anti- Japanese Agitation
By Wm. D. Wheelwright
(Reprinted from the OREGON VOTER. FEBRUARY 14, 1920)
Even from the viewpoint of one who deprecates the present anti-Japanese agitation as indefensible, both politically, morally and as a matter of economics, there is much to commend in the article on this subject published in THE VOTER of November 1, 1919.
First, there is the reasonableness and moderation that distinguish it, while the statement that the Japanese, possessed as they are of signal "patriotism and an intense pride, justified by high intelligence and a lofty spirit, combined with the will and the ability to force recognition of their equality, brook no treatment as inferiors in the family of races" is exactly true. It defines a situation that the rest of the world will have to deal with, and on our manner of meeting it will depend our future relations with a powerful and hitherto friendly nation, also perhaps the peace of the world.
I take exception only to the word "Governmental" in The Voter's imputation to the Japanese of a desire to extend their "influence into all parts of the world into which they come into close communication." I contend that, while they are building up their foreign commerce with marvelous ability and conspicuous success, and while, as the natural result of their love of country, they wish not only to increase its prosperity and influence, but also to impress the outside world with the art and literature of their own land, there is no evidence whatever of their desire to take part in the government of other nations. And I cannot but think that the tendency of the Japanese to live their own simple industrious lives, largely in agricultural pursuits, adding to the supply of food which is so greatly needed in the world, without any ambition to govern the country, is a point in their favor as immigrants. For my part, I prefer them to those incomers from one of the British Isles who have been so very successful in controlling some of our great municipalities (needless to say that I refer to their success in gaining control rather than to their man-
