race, imbibing, therefore, the Oriental ideas as they approach manhood. The mere fact, accordingly, of American birth, public school education, and the requisite age should not be regarded as adequate qualification for the suffrage; for it is to be remembered that during the entire period of schooling, not only have they been in Oriental homes, but the Japanese at heart have been diligently drilled in Japanese schools by Japanese teachers, many of whom have little acquaintance and no sympathy with American institutions or a Christian civilization. If, as Asiatics, they maintain their traditional conceptions of God, nature, and man, of male and female, of husband and wife, of parent and child, of ruler and ruled, of the state and the individual, the permanent maintenance in Hawaii of American democracy, American homes, and American liberty is impossible." Concerning the Japanese language schools in California, the Japanese Association of America in the memorial to the President, above mentioned, has the following to say: "Aside from the schools for instructing Japanese in English there are seventy-five so-called 'supplementary' schools for teaching children the Japanese language. These are attended by the Japanese pupils after the public schools close for the day. They are primarily for the study of the Japanese language and are not intended to perpetuate the traditions and moral concepts of Japan. Of course, these are criticised by hostile Americans. But says Professor Millis, "They are supplementary schools, and at the worst, there is much less in them to be adversely criticised than in the parochial schools attended by so many children of the South and European immigrants. No real problem is yet evident connected with Japanese children on American soil.'" APPENDIX. For the purpose of permitting the presentation of the Japanese side of the whole matter contained in this report, there is appended hereto the following: (1) Memorial address prepared by the Japanese Association of America (in California) and presented to the President of the United States while at San Francisco on September 18, 1919, upon the occasion of his visit to California. This covers the whole range of Japanese relations to this state. (2) Truth of the Japanese Farming in California by Toyoji Chiba, Managing Director of the Japanese Agricultural Association of California. Appended herewith is printed the text of the initiative measure amending the Alien Land Law of California which is now being circulated and is proposed to be voted upon at the general election in November, 1920. |