p. 442 | A Difficult Problem

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 8, 1913

A Difficult Problem

THE purpose of the California Legislature to pass legislation prohibiting the holding of land by Japanese and Chinese in that State is raising a question that is causing much concern to both Japan and the United States. The protests of the Japanese government and the likelihood of serious differences between the two governments should such legislation pass, caused the administration to decide upon the unusual course of sending the Secretary of State to California for the purpose of retarding or preventing such legislation as that proposed. Although other States have laws similar to that which California proposes to enact, yet the small number of Japanese in those States makes such laws of comparative unimportance to Japan. In California, however, the situation is very different. The Japanese holdings are considerable, and Japan feels that it would be an injury to her dignity if such legislation should pass. Reports from Japan indicate that the proposed legislation has stirred up considerable intensity of feeling there, and that there have been undisguised hints of war. On the other hand, California feels that she has the same right to pass legislation against the holding of property by aliens that the other States have. American missionary societies in Japan have sent to the home country earnest protests against the proposed legislation.