INTRODUCTION

THE American Japanese problem remains unsolved. Diplomatic correspondence over the questions at issue between the two governments came to a stop in the summer of 1914, neither being satisfied with the position assumed by the other, and neither seeing what the next step should be to reach a position satisfactory to both.

Important writers of both lands have continued vigorously to discuss the international situation. In each land there are those who denounce the alleged weakness of their own government in dealing with the asserted aggressive deeds and policies of the other. Such writers, however, are dangerous guides. Urging our "right" and denouncing their "wrong" does not help to solve actual problems. In spite of the fury of their fine writing and their hysterical exhortations they make no important contribution to the solution of the problems or to the establishment of permanently right and mutually satisfactory relations.

On account of the strained relations that developed between America and Japan in 1913 over the California Anti-Alien Land Law, the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America, responding

to appeals from missionaries in Japan, established a Commission on Relations with Japan "to study the whole question in its relation to the teaching of Christ," and "to seek to rally the Christian forces of the United States for the solution of the problem, and for the promotion of such measures as are in accord with the highest standards of Christian statesmanship."

The writer, who had the honor to present to the Federal Council the memorial of the missionaries, was made the representative of the commission, has been given prolonged extension of his furlough, and under the auspices of the commission of the Federal Council has had unusual opportunity for the study and presentation of the question in every part of the country.

His twenty-six years of missionary service in Japan, and this experience in the United States, in which he has met not only churchmen but large numbers of business men in chambers of commerce and trade boards, as well as representatives of organized labor, particularly on the Pacific coast, have led the writer to certain definite conclusions as to the problem itself, and also as to the true methods for its solution. These conclusions have been presented in various volumes, pamphlets, and magazine articles, which present, of course, his own views and convictions, and for which the commission of the Federal Council is not responsible.

The discussions of this volume are strictly limited to the field selected for consideration; namely, the legislation which should now be enacted by Congress in order that America may do her part in setting right our relations with the Far East. Americans should realize that modern Asia has rendered not only obsolete but dangerous any policy that ignores their problems, needs, and essential rights.

The only real solution of the new problem that has been set for the entire world by the new Japan and the new China is to be found in our adoption of a new Oriental policy and programme. That policy and programme should embody two fundamental principles:

While, on the one hand, it should provide real protection for the Pacific coast States from the dangers of excessive Asiatic immigration;

It should also, on the other hand, give to Asiatics the same courtesy of treatment and the same equality of rights as America readily accords to all other people, whether they come from Europe, Africa, or South America.

To the casual thinker these two principles may seem to be not merely incompatible but positively contradictory. In point of fact, however, they are not necessarily either incompatible or contradictory. The policy that embodies both these essentials may be summed up in two principal propositions:

First. All immigration should be regulated by the

principle that America shall admit only so many immigrants from any particular people as she can genuinely Americanize.

Second. Privileges of citizenship should be given to every individual who personally qualifies, regardless of his race.

Regulation of all immigration on a percentage principle affords the protection needed by the Pacific coast, and indeed by the entire country, from an excessive immigration from any land.

The granting of naturalization to every individual who qualifies removes all humiliating race discrimination, which discrimination is particularly resented just now by Japan.

The present volume seeks to present the various facts and factors involved in the new world-situation, and to consider carefully the various questions that arise when one tries to think through the pros and cons of the above proposals.

For example, the student of the subject needs to know much about modern Japan, her problems and her claims, for only so can he understand why America cannot carry out international policies as though Japan were not on the map. He needs to know, moreover, not only the new China that is looming up, but also the facts of our treatment of China and the Chinese during the past decades. These subjects are therefore presented in Chapters I, II, and III. Other chapters show how our deal